Too much customization and too few suppliers foul luxury seat supply chain

Boeing and Airbus supplier Zodiac Aerospace is still falling behind in delivering parts, especially luxury seats.

Airways News has a good wrap up of the issues driving the supply chain problem.

The website notes that this is not the first time seat deliveries have been a problem. They caused delays with Boeing’s 777-300ER and Airbus’ A330.

Part of the problem is fewer seatmakers due to supply chain consolidation. “The capacity issue is compounded by a longstanding shortage of aircraft interior engineers, a demand hump, capacity planning that appears to be on the “lag” not “lead” model, and the “big steps” problem of increasing production,” Airways News notes.

“It’s also about the airframers themselves increasing risk by insisting on restrictive pre-selected catalogue options for seats,” the news website said.

Also, seats are increasingly customized by airline as part of their branding efforts. (It’s not just about offering luxurious service, it’s about built-in luxury.)

“As American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and others discovered, this is often not a recipe for on-time delivery,” Airways News notes.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.

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