Passenger expectations are no longer limited to punctuality or performance. Increasingly, it’s about experience. From airport-style lounges to onboard catering, the rail industry is evolving in an attempt to match the comfort levels found in air travel, and business class seating is leading the charge.
This shift has meant re-imagining the way comfort is engineered. One area of focus is the seat adjustment mechanism in its business class cabins, where space is limited but expectations are high. It’s an area where linear motion specialist Rollon is bringing its aerospace-inspired design thinking to the railway industry.
Engineering comfort in compact spaces
Designing a reclining seat for a high-speed train isn’t just about luxury – it’s a feat of engineering. One operator behind Italy’s high-speed trains required a seat that could deliver smooth and reliable reclining motion, withstand substantial dynamic loads, and fit into the tight under-seat envelope typical of modern rolling stock.
Working with a supplier of rail seating systems, Rollon delivered two ASN35-210 telescopic guides for each seat.
“Mounted flat beneath the seating structure, these guides form the backbone of the reclining mechanism, providing the rigidity and motion quality required to meet engineering specifications, safety standards, and passenger expectations within business class,” said Antoine Salomon, Key Account Manager at Rollon.
“These semi-telescopic rails deliver the strength and rigidity needed for dynamic passenger loads, drawing on Rollon’s aerospace experience to elevate comfort in premium rail interiors.”
Designed for demanding loads
Unlike static seat designs, the reclining mechanism needed to withstand up to 150 kg in dynamic load – this weight had to represent not just a seated passenger, but occasional overloads, such as someone standing on the edge of the seat to access luggage.
To perform under these conditions, Rollon’s ASN35-210 telescopic guides were selected for their ability to combine compact design with high structural stiffness and no deflection under strain. The guides provide a 50–60% stroke extension, allowing the seat to gently recline into a more relaxed position via an electric actuator.
“We applied the same design logic we use in aerospace applications,” Salomon added. “You’re dealing with high loads in a small space, with strict expectations for performance and comfort. We had to deliver a mechanism that feels premium and performs predictably every time.”
From aircraft to rail: Cross-sector innovation
The technology Rollon supplied is not adapted from aerospace – it’s a direct evolution of it. In aviation seating, premium economy and business class recliners require mechanisms that are ultra-thin, silent, and resistant to fatigue. The ASN rail system is built with these same demands in mind, and its flat-mount orientation makes it ideally suited for the floor constraints of a high-speed train.
“In aerospace, we’ve had to meet challenges for weight, noise, and space restrictions for years,” said Salomon. “Those learnings transferred perfectly into this rail application, especially now that train interiors are becoming more sophisticated.”
With electrification built in from the start, the seats now offer motorised adjustment at the push of a button, which is increasingly becoming a standard expectation among business-class rail passengers.
What makes this project particularly noteworthy is how it captures a broader trend across the rail sector: the premiumisation of passenger interiors. As operators across UK and Europe compete not only with one another but with airlines for short-haul travellers, comfort and perceived quality are fast becoming differentiators.
“We’re seeing a lot more interest in these types of systems,” noted Salomon. “Train manufacturers are visiting aerospace expos, looking at seat and cabin technology, and asking how they can bring that into rail. The lines between sectors are blurring, and passengers are benefitting.”
This trend isn’t limited to high-speed or intercity routes, either. Regional and commuter rail networks are also upgrading their interiors, particularly as hybrid working has shifted what passengers expect from their time in transit.
What sets the system apart, however, isn’t just how it performs on paper -it’s how it feels in service. Passengers don’t need to know they’re sitting on a rail that’s been engineered to withstand aviation-grade load testing. What they do notice is the smoothness of the movement and the lack of uncomfortable vibration.
Adaptable, scalable and future-proof
While this business class application is a premium showcase, Rollon’s solution is modular and adaptable to a range of train classes and use cases. Rollon’s linear and telescopic guide systems can be tailored for:
- First class or premium economy train seating
- Short-distance commuter routes requiring ergonomic adjustment
- Armrest, tray table, or leg-rest movements
- Battery drawer slides or underframe mechanisms
Customisation options include adjusted stroke lengths, anti-corrosion surface treatments for humid or maritime climates, and even lightweight machining for weight-sensitive rail designs.
Rollon also offers options to align with regional or operator-specific compliance standards, supporting seamless integration into diverse rolling stock platforms.
For Rollon, this project is not only a successful application. It’s a proof point. With increasing demand for refined motion solutions in rail interiors, the company sees significant opportunity in helping operators differentiate through design.
“This kind of application is becoming more popular because operators are under pressure to create better travel experiences,” said Salomon. “Our role is to make that easy – to bring proven technology, adapt it to the rail environment, and support our customers through the full development cycle.”
Image credit: Rollon
