New airline seats claim to cut fuel costs

Jet2.com aims to save on fuel consumption by installing new, lighter seats on its aircraft as part of a livery overhaul.

The low fares carrier unveiled the ergonomically designed seats as it started a countdown to the launch of seven routes from East Midlands Airport this summer.

The airline is to serve Corfu, Dalaman, Heraklion, Lanzarote, Paphos, Sharm el Sheikh and Tenerife from the airport.

Flights start on May 19 in a move which will create more than 200 jobs at East Midlands, the airline's seventh UK base.

The airline will offer more than 130,000 seats to the summer destinations with fares starting at £59.99 one-way including taxes.

The specially commissioned seats are claimed to be more comfortable while saving weight on each aircraft.

"The new seats mean that less fuel is needed, helping the airline keep its fares as low as possible," a statement said.

Passenger sales director Phil Ward said a weight saving of 500 kilos would be made on a 229-seat Boeing 757.

All ten 757s in the fleet are due to have the new lightweight seats, which also provide additional leg-room, by the end of May, he added.

Managing director Ian Doubtfire said: "The seating is a great in-road for us and will make a huge difference both to customer experience and fuel consumption - meaning that we can save our customers money and reduce environmental impact at the same time."

Jet2.com is to base a single 757 at East Midlands for this summer and is planning route developments for 2011.

The trade represents around ten per cent of sales for the airline, which has 34 aircraft, and its holiday arm.

Ward said the leisure low cost carrier worked with agents to dynamically package seats, provide seat-only deals or package tours.

With permission from Travelmole