Airlines want their customers to be comfortable and happy in their seats, but they also want the seats to reflect who they are as a business and a brand – and that’s where the Programme Management Team comes in. They work closely with Acro’s airline customers to make modifications to Acro’s seats to suit their requirements, from the colour, the finish and the accessories.
Acro’s Programme Management Team manage the wants and needs of the airlines that buy Acro’s seats. From initial contact to delivery, they oversee everything from New Product Development to Customer Programmes, as well as dealing with the management of the Integrator and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
It’s a diverse team that deals with the full life cycle of Acro’s relationship with a customer from the minute a shipset of seats is sold, and ensures that airlines’ requirements are captured, carried out and that they are fully satisfied with the end result.
It’s no mean feat customising and changing hundreds of airlines’ seats each year, but thanks to the Programme Management Team, this is achieved with professional ease and is one of Acro’s USPs – adaptability and agility.
Here we explain the process that the Programme Management Team goes through, from Sale to Delivery.
Acro prides itself on working closely with airlines to deliver seating solutions that meet their unique needs, branding, and operational goals – this relationship begins as soon as a sale is made.
The process involves regular contact with all customers, and the Programme Management Team works in tandem with the Account Managers and technical experts to ensure this happens throughout the project life cycle.
Fostering a great relationship with the customer is paramount and offers a strong feedback loop ensuring that the final product aligns with the airline’s vision whilst still bringing all the benefits of the core Acro design and engineering. The flexibility of Acro’s design philosophy allows for customisation in materials, colours, finishes, and features – that is what Acro is renowned for, adapting and applying its customer’s needs to its seats and doing so without compromise. The aim is that the seats merge perfectly with the customer’s aircraft and so working closely with them is key to make that happen.
As with any industry, aerospace follows trends and so what airlines are looking for from their seat modifications can and does change. Over the years, Acro’s Project Management Team has seen requirements evolve, with growing emphasis on weight reduction for fuel efficiency, sustainable materials, and enhanced passenger comfort, even in economy class.
The Programme Management Team thrives on tackling complex challenges, such as integrating bespoke inflight entertainment systems and delivering unique seat configurations, always striving to provide innovative solutions within tight deadlines.
The team is a hub within the company that brings all functions together to meet customers’ needs, using a robust methodology with frequent and thorough programme reviews to ensure it delivers on cost, on time, and with a quality end product.
The team says that the best part about working in Programme Management is working together to deliver Acro seats to its customers on time and with their specific specifications:
“There is no better feeling that when a customer receives their seats and loves the results of our hard work.”
To learn more about the versatility of Acro and the seats we make visit here.
