STELIA Aerospace
STELIA Aerospace, the premium passenger seat brand of Airbus Atlantic, designs and manufactures First Class and Business Class aircraft seating for 50+ airlines worldwide, ranking #2 globally in premium seating from its Rochefort, France headquarters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersRochefort, France
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What STELIA Aerospace does
STELIA Aerospace is the premium passenger seat brand of Airbus Atlantic (itself a subsidiary of Airbus), headquartered in Rochefort, France. Founded in 1989 with 35+ years of heritage, the company designs and manufactures a portfolio of premium aircraft seating — from bespoke First Class suites (PREMIERE CLASSE) to wide-body Business Class (RENDEZ-VOUS, OPERA WB, ELYSIUM, SYMPHONY) and single-aisle Business Class seats (OPERA SA, OPERA ESSENTIAL, CELESTE) — serving 50+ airlines globally with annual production capacity of 5,000 seats. STELIA positions itself as the #2 worldwide manufacturer in premium passenger seating, combining French luxury craftsmanship with aerospace-grade engineering, holding extensive certifications (PART21G, PART145, EASA APO62, FAA, NADCAP, EN9100, ISO 14001).
The company's underlying technology centres on ergonomic design, weight optimisation, and eco-design — flagship innovations include the OPERA ESSENTIAL's mechanical lie-flat mechanism that eliminates electric motors for a 30% weight reduction and 32% environmental impact reduction, the CELESTE cradle-motion zero-gravity design, and a 96% reduction in electronic components through patented mechanical systems. STELIA holds six new patent filings in 2025 alone and won Red Dot, Green Good Design, and RedCabin Trinity awards for OPERA ESSENTIAL. Materials comply with REACH and RoHS standards.
STELIA operates a B2B enterprise go-to-market combining direct bespoke design partnerships with airlines (Air France La Première, SWISS SENSES, Etihad 20-year collaboration, Turkish Airlines, China Airlines) and OEM line-fit supply to Airbus and Boeing for new aircraft deliveries, complemented by aftermarket retrofit and spare-parts distribution via regional service partners (SATAIR, ELTRA Service Beijing, BARFIELD). Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of customized seating systems on long project cycles, supplemented by professional services for co-creation and certification support. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, reflecting the highly customized nature of premium aircraft seating contracts.
STELIA Aerospace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- STELIA Aerospace
- Legal name
- Airbus Atlantic SAS
- Website
- https://stelia-aerospace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- STELIA Aerospace, the premium passenger seat brand of Airbus Atlantic, designs and manufactures First Class and Business Class aircraft seating for 50+ airlines worldwide, ranking #2 globally in premium seating from its Rochefort, France headquarters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
STELIA Aerospace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aircraft Passenger Seating
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aerospace Interior Materials & Components (Cabin) (IMABANAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Interior Structural Components (Floor Beams, Seat Tracks, Frames) (IMABAEAJ)
Keywords
Where STELIA Aerospace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rochefort
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
STELIA Aerospace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Premium Aircraft Seat Sales: STELIA Aerospace generates revenue through direct sales of premium passenger seats to airlines, including First Class, Business Class, and premium economy seating. Revenue is project-based with long sales cycles involving bespoke design, certification, and manufacturing phases.
- Bespoke Design Services: The company offers co-creation and bespoke design services for airline flagship programs, positioning itself as a haute couture-style atelier for aircraft interiors. This includes collaborative innovation from concept through certification.
- Aftermarket and Retrofit: Supply of replacement seats and cabin upgrade programs for existing aircraft fleets, supporting airline fleet modernization initiatives.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels5 records
STELIA Aerospace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
STELIA Aerospace designs, manufactures, certifies, and delivers premium aircraft passenger seats—ranging from First Class private suites to Business Class seats for both wide-body and single-aisle aircraft—for commercial airlines and aircraft OEMs. The company operates as a haute couture-style atelier, offering both customization of proven seat platforms and fully bespoke co-creation programs, supported by industrial production capacity of 5,000 seats per year.
Product overview
STELIA Aerospace is the Premium passenger seat brand of Airbus Atlantic, positioned as the world's second-largest manufacturer of premium passenger seating. Based in Rochefort, France, with over 35 years of experience and production capacity of 5,000 seats annually. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of aircraft seating products across all cabin classes: PREMIERE CLASSE (bespoke First Class suites), RENDEZ-VOUS (wide-body Business Class with honeymoon configuration), OPERA family (WB for wide-body, SA for single-aisle, and ESSENTIAL for eco-designed lightweight premium seating), ELYSIUM (cabin optimization Business Class), SYMPHONY (long-haul forward-facing Business Class), and CELESTE (single-aisle zero-gravity Business Class). STELIA positions itself as an 'haute couture' atelier offering both customization of proven platforms and bespoke co-creation services for airlines seeking total differentiation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- STELIA: Premium passenger seat brand of Airbus Atlantic specializing in high-end cabin interiors
- OPERA
- RENDEZ-VOUS
- ELYSIUM
- SYMPHONY
- CELESTE
Products and services
- PREMIERE CLASSE Ultra-premium First Class private suites designed in collaboration with airlines, featuring bespoke cabin environments, luxury amenities, and direct aisle access for the most exclusive cabin class.
- RENDEZ-VOUS Wide-body Business Class seat featuring a signature sofa-like honeymoon configuration with fully flat double bed, extra living space, and an integrated door for enhanced privacy.
- OPERA WB Wide-body Business Class seat providing a cocoon-like well-being experience with a full-flat bed and reverse herringbone design, compatible with multiple Airbus and Boeing platforms.
- OPERA SA Single-aisle Business Class seat delivering a full-flat bed and direct aisle access on narrow-body aircraft including the A321neo and A320neo family for medium to long-haul routes.
- OPERA ESSENTIAL Lightweight eco-designed Business Class seat achieving 30% weight reduction versus OPERA Single-Aisle and 32% reduction in environmental impact, featuring autonomous lie-flat functionality that eliminates traditional electric motors.
- ELYSIUM New-generation efficient Business Class seat featuring an 81.7-inch fully-flat bed, customizable privacy console with increased stowage, and a robust meal table engineered for maximum stability.
- SYMPHONY Forward-facing full-flat Business Class seat for long-haul with direct aisle access, warm design with soft-touch padding, and an integrated passive noise reduction system.
- CELESTE Single-aisle Business Class seat with an innovative cradle-motion design that reclines into a zero-gravity position while preserving other passengers' space, available in mechanical or electrical versions.
- Bespoke Design and Co-Creation Services End-to-end collaborative design service for airline flagship programs, taking concepts from initial sketches through industrial design, certification, and manufacturing for fully differentiated cabin experiences.
- Aftermarket and Retrofit Programs Supply of replacement seats and cabin upgrade programs for existing aircraft fleets, supporting airline fleet modernization and refurbishment through regional service centers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% weight reduction compared to OPERA Single-Aisle while maintaining premium features
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use STELIA Aerospace
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
STELIA Aerospace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
STELIA Aerospace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and support.
- Government of CanadaminorFederal investment of $600,000+ under Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) for Stelia North America facility in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Funding for advanced manufacturing equipment including CNC machines, robotic sanding cell, process oven, measuring equipment, and 3D printer.
- SWISScoreSWISS selected STELIA Aerospace to design and produce SENSES Business Class cabin featuring high-end seats with sliding doors. Premium materials in burgundy and anthracite colors create luxurious atmosphere. STELIA thanked for trust in cabin production capabilities.
- Etihad AirwayscoreBespoke OPERA SA premium seat featuring exclusive branding and lighting in Etihad colors. Includes closed-suite configuration for first row. Reinforces existing 20-year collaboration between companies.
- Air FrancecoreEight-year partnership strengthened with La Première First Class cabin design and manufacture. STELIA developed ultra-premium suite featuring five windows per suite, 2-meter bed, and 360-degree entertainment. Previously developed OPERA WB Business Class for Air France's A350 fleet in 2023. All design and manufacturing conducted in France.
- AirbuscoreStrategic partnership to co-develop next-generation luxury cabin seating for A350 and A320neo families announced March 2025.
- AirbuscoreAirbus collaboration on next-generation cabin interiors. STELIA positioned as Airbus Atlantic's premium seat brand, enabling line-fit supply for Airbus aircraft platforms including A320neo, A350 XWB families.
- SATAIRsupportRegional distribution partner for Middle East market serving STELIA Aerospace customers. Contact: +971 4 299 8080
- ELTRA Service BeijingsupportRegional service partner for Asia-Pacific market. Contact: +86 10 6148 7955
- BARFIELD IncsupportRegional service partner for Americas. Contact: +1 305 926 9943
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
STELIA Aerospace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Safran Seats: Safran Seats (formerly Zodiac Aerospace) is the world's largest premium aircraft seat manufacturer, offering business class, first class, and economy seating. Directly competes with STELIA on line-fit and retrofit programs for the same global airline customer base.
- Recaro Aircraft Seating: Recaro is a German premium aircraft seat manufacturer specializing in business class and economy class seating. Competes head-to-head with STELIA on airline cabin programs, particularly European carriers, with comparable premium positioning and bespoke design capability.
- Thompson Aero Seating: Thompson Aero Seating is a Northern Ireland-based premium business class seat manufacturer (part of Aviation Industries Group), known for Vantage and Ascent platforms. Direct competitor on wide-body business class programs targeting similar airline customers.
- Geven: Italian aircraft seat manufacturer producing business class and economy seating for commercial aviation. Competes with STELIA on narrow-body and wide-body premium programs, particularly with European and Middle Eastern carriers.
- Jamco Corporation: Japanese aerospace interiors manufacturer producing premium business class seats, galleys, and lavatories. Competes with STELIA on Asia-Pacific airline programs and offers both seats and integrated cabin products.
Broad incumbents
- Collins Aerospace: Raytheon Technologies subsidiary offering a comprehensive cabin interior portfolio including seating, galleys, IFE, and lavatories. Competes with STELIA through bundled cabin solutions and broader scale, particularly on large OEM and airline programs.
- Diehl Aviation: German aerospace interiors manufacturer producing cabin lighting, lavatories, galleys, and passenger seating. Competes with STELIA through integrated cabin solutions targeting Airbus and Boeing platforms.
Regional players
- HAECO Cabin Solutions: Hong Kong-based aircraft cabin interior specialist offering seat refurbishment, modification, and design services for Asia-Pacific operators. Adjacent peer in aircraft seating with strong Asia-Pacific aftermarket presence.
Emerging players
- Acro Aircraft Seating: UK-based premium economy and business class seat manufacturer focused on lightweight, sustainable seating. Emerging competitor targeting the same eco-design narrative as STELIA's OPERA ESSENTIAL.
- Mirus Aircraft Seating: UK premium business class seat manufacturer focused on narrow-body premium seating for single-aisle aircraft. Emerging competitor in the same product category as STELIA's CELESTE and OPERA SA platforms.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
STELIA Aerospace social profiles
Digital presenceSTELIA Aerospace compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance11 records
STELIA Aerospace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
STELIA Aerospace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
STELIA Aerospace subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
STELIA Aerospace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
STELIA Aerospace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about STELIA Aerospace
What does STELIA Aerospace do?
STELIA Aerospace designs, manufactures, certifies, and delivers premium aircraft passenger seats—ranging from First Class private suites to Business Class seats for both wide-body and single-aisle aircraft—for commercial airlines and aircraft OEMs. The company operates as a haute couture-style atelier, offering both customization of proven seat platforms and fully bespoke co-creation programs, supported by industrial production capacity of 5,000 seats per year.
Is STELIA Aerospace a public or private company?
STELIA Aerospace is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was STELIA Aerospace founded?
STELIA Aerospace was founded in 1989. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is STELIA Aerospace based?
STELIA Aerospace is headquartered in Rochefort, France, in the Europe region.
How does STELIA Aerospace make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Premium Aircraft Seat Sales are the primary driver. The others are bespoke Design Services and aftermarket and Retrofit.
Who are STELIA Aerospace's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Safran Seats, Recaro Aircraft Seating, Thompson Aero Seating, Geven and Jamco Corporation. Broad incumbents are Collins Aerospace and Diehl Aviation. HAECO Cabin Solutions is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Acro Aircraft Seating and Mirus Aircraft Seating.
Does STELIA Aerospace have an API?
No public API is recorded for STELIA Aerospace.
What industry is STELIA Aerospace in?
STELIA Aerospace's product category is Aircraft Passenger Seating. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABANAI, Aerospace Interior Materials & Components (Cabin), with a secondary code of IMABAEAJ, Interior Structural Components (Floor Beams, Seat Tracks, Frames). Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3728.