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Collins Evolves “Prime+” Accessibility Seating

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Collins' Prime offering serves up a secure wheelchair seating space, or a galley service area, depending on need
Collins’ Prime offering serves up a secure wheelchair seating space, or a galley service area, depending on need

With accessibility top of mind for commercial aviation, especially around seating, Collins Aerospace continues to improve on its “Prime+” wheelchair seating solution. First introduced at last year’s show, Prime evolved over the past 10 months, emerging as a much more refined solution at this year’s event.

The feedback we’ve received has been invaluable and the driving force behind the design and experiential upgrades made to Prime over the last ten months. The user experience is not only on par with flight amenities enjoyed by every other passenger, but further considerations were implemented to ensure emergency egress standards are met and a caregiver can occupy the seat directly next to the Prime user.

– Cynthia Muklevicz, vice president of customer and business development for Collins Aerospace

Key to the Prime+ offering is a transformable monument, mounted just aft of the boarding door. It allows for flexible services in the cabin, depending on whether the wheelchair secured space is in use by a passenger or not.

The monument includes a height-adjustable tray table with integrated tablet holder and power outlets. It also offers a passenger service unit with reading light and attendant call button, among other features. This allows a passenger to remain in their personal wheelchair during a trip while experiencing all the same amenities as other travelers in the cabin.

The monument associated with Prime can quickly convert to a galley service area if it is unused by a passenger
The monument associated with Prime can quickly convert to a galley service area if it is unused by a passenger

This updated version also offers a flexible cabin service experience for crew and passengers alike when the space is not occupied by a passenger. A crewmember and expand the monument to provide additional counter space  for the cabin service. It can also be used as a passenger self-service station, capable of holding snacks and beverages.

Notably, the design still ensures simplified boarding and deplaning for electric wheelchair users, ease of use for cabin crews and no loss of seat count for airlines.

Muklevicz shares that the company is “in very robust discussions” with two airlines for deployment, though certification is still pending. The company is “working along with the regulatory groups; the FAA is very involved with us on the development of this. There’s guidance that they’re providing us on the restraint system and on how the wheelchair occupant will be managed in flight.”

Still, the company expects broad deployment is still a couple years away, though it will rapidly accelerate once available.

The on-board wheelchair seating market is a hot topic, with multiple providers pushing towards delivering a solution that will fly. Delta Flight Products arguably holds a small advantage, with a one year head start on the others. But the broad industry push to make this a reality should be seen as a win for everyone.

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About Seth Miller

Seth Miller has over a decade of experience covering the airline industry. With a strong focus on passenger experience, Seth also has deep knowledge of inflight connectivity and loyalty programs. He is widely respected as an unbiased commentator on the aviation industry.

He is frequently consulted on innovations in passenger experience by airlines and technology providers.

You can connect with Seth via email, on Bluesky, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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