AIX, Hamburg, April 13, 2026 – ZIM Aircraft Seating Group, a global designer and manufacturer of Economy, Premium Economy, and Business class seating solutions for commercial airlines, introduces the newest generation of its Premium Economy segment “The Frame” at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg. Blending engineering precision with a warm, contemporary design language, The Frame embodies a forward-looking vision for passenger comfort, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
A standout feature is its lightweight architecture, built to help airlines lower fuel burn and reduce emissions: The Frame is 15 percent lighter than comparable products on the market, which corresponds to 8 kilograms per passenger. The Frame’s distinctive wooden structural elements introduce a natural, refined aesthetic that differentiates it from conventional Premium Economy offerings. At the same time, the design substantially reduces the use of plastics by incorporating renewable, recyclable, and reusable materials, supporting airlines’ sustainability roadmaps and advancing circular design principles.
Improved Passenger experience
Passengers benefit from a newly developed kinematic system that delivers smoother, more intuitive, and ergonomically optimized motion throughout the recline cycle. For airlines seeking enhanced comfort without compromising efficiency, The Frame can be equipped with optional electric actuation, powered by a weight‑optimized mechanism.
Innovative mesh structures unlock new comfort possibilities by providing superior long‑term pressure distribution, adaptive flexibility, and preventive pressure relief. An enhanced, fully adjustable headrest further maximizes personal comfort and space, ensuring a relaxed head position at all times.
Efficiency at the highest level
In addition to its lightweight architecture, The Frame features a modular design that allows quick and safe interchangeability for upgrades, redesigns, and midlife refreshes, cutting downtime and extending product relevance. By utilizing durable surfaces, lifecycle costs are minimized, while a decreased reliance on specific materials ensures substantially shorter lead times, life refreshes, cutting down time and extending product relevance.
Executive Perspective
Raffael Rogg, CEO of ZIM Aircraft Seating Group: “When developing new products, our objective is always to combine lightweight engineering with sustainable materials, advanced comfort, and aesthetic refinement. The Frame is a testament to this commitment. It elevates the Premium Economy experience while providing airlines with a highly efficient, future‑ready solution.”
Alongside The Frame, ZIM Aircraft Seating is also presenting its established product portfolio, including ZP210, ZP230, ZP410, ZP450 and ZP610.
The Frame and other ZIM seating solutions can be experienced firsthand at the Aircraft Interiors Expo, Booth 6A01.
About ZIM Aircraft Seating
ZIM Aircraft Seating Group is a global designer and manufacturer of Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class seating solutions for commercial airlines. Owned by AURELIUS, the Group employs approximately 550 people across three locations in Germany and the United States. As one of the industry’s leading independent aircraft‑seat specialists, ZIM supplies major OEMs including Boeing and Airbus, and serves a broad portfolio of international airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. For more information, please visit www.zim.aero.
Press Contact:
ZIM Aircraft Seating
Regina Glaser
Graf-von-Soden-Strasse 1
88090 Immenstaad
Email: Regina.Glaser@zim.aero
Mobile: +49 (0) 151 55465640
