Commercial Aircraft Upholstery Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Commercial Aircraft Upholstery Market is projected to expand from USD 1.79 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.31 Billion by 2031, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.34%. This sector involves the manufacturing and supply of textile components, including seat covers, carpets, curtains, and interior paneling tailored for commercial aviation cabins.

The primary catalysts for market growth are the swift resurgence of global air travel and high aircraft utilization rates, which accelerate the wear and tear of soft furnishings and necessitate frequent replacements. Additionally, airlines are consistently investing in cabin modernization programs to improve passenger comfort and utilize advanced materials that reduce aircraft weight. According to the International Air Transport Association, global passenger traffic rose by 10.4 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, highlighting the intense operational activity that drives the demand for regular interior maintenance.

A significant hurdle to market expansion is the ongoing volatility in global supply chains regarding the procurement of specialized aviation-grade raw materials. Shortages of certified fire-retardant fabrics and foams can delay essential refurbishment projects and increase capital costs, leading airlines to postpone non-critical cabin upgrades. This logistical bottleneck limits the capacity of upholstery suppliers to meet rising industry requirements promptly and introduces uncertainty into production planning for manufacturers.

Market Drivers

The rapid growth of commercial airline fleets acts as a primary driver for the upholstery market, as every newly delivered aircraft requires extensive soft furnishing installations, ranging from passenger seating to wall coverings. Manufacturers are increasing production to meet the substantial backlog of aircraft orders, creating immediate volume demand for certified aviation textiles and leathers. According to Boeing's July 2024 'Commercial Market Outlook', the industry is expected to require nearly 44,000 new commercial airplanes through 2043 to support traffic growth and replacement needs. This influx creates a sustained line-fit opportunity for upholstery vendors who must meet strict weight and durability standards. Furthermore, Airbus data from 2024 indicates that the total global in-service fleet is anticipated to more than double, reaching 48,230 aircraft by 2043, emphasizing the sector's long-term scalability.

Simultaneously, the acceleration of cabin refurbishment and retrofit programs serves as a critical driver, with airlines investing heavily to upgrade aging interiors and introduce premium cabin classes. Carriers prioritize these modernization efforts to enhance the passenger experience and extend the operational life of existing fleets, generating recurring demand for replacement seat covers, curtains, and carpets. For instance, Aviation Business Middle East reported in May 2024 that Emirates expanded its retrofit initiative to cover 191 aircraft, ensuring consistent high-quality interiors across its A380 and Boeing 777 fleets. Such large-scale retrofit projects compel upholstery suppliers to provide advanced, customizable materials that align with updated branding and ergonomic requirements, thereby sustaining the aftermarket segment.

Market Challenges

Persistent volatility within global supply chains regarding the procurement of specialized aviation-grade raw materials constitutes a significant barrier to the commercial aircraft upholstery market. Manufacturers face acute shortages of certified fire-retardant fabrics, leather, and high-density foams, which are essential for compliance with stringent safety regulations. These scarcities disrupt production schedules, forcing upholstery suppliers to extend lead times and creating logistical bottlenecks that delay the execution of critical cabin refurbishment contracts. Consequently, airlines are often compelled to defer non-critical interior upgrades to preserve capital, prioritizing operational stability over aesthetic enhancements.

This inability to secure timely materials directly restricts market expansion by stalling both retrofit programs and new installations. The impact of these bottlenecks is evident in the reduced output of finished aircraft, which limits the volume of line-fit upholstery required. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, persistent supply chain disruptions resulted in a 30 percent shortfall in global aircraft deliveries compared to initial projections. This significant reduction in new airframe deliveries inevitably contracts the immediate demand for seat covers, carpets, and curtains, effectively hampering the sector's revenue potential despite rising passenger traffic.

Market Trends

The shift toward lightweight microfiber and composite upholstery materials is reshaping the market as airlines aggressively pursue fuel efficiency targets. Carriers are moving away from traditional heavy foams and hides in favor of advanced synthetic leathers and titanium-carbon fiber seat structures that offer significant mass savings without compromising durability. This technical evolution is directly linked to lowering operational costs and extending the range of regional aircraft. According to PAX International in September 2025, the newly deployed TiSeat 2X on Air France Hop features a composite construction that achieves a 30 percent weight reduction compared to traditional aircraft seats, illustrating the tangible impact of these material innovations on fleet efficiency.

Concurrently, the adoption of eco-friendly and plant-based leather alternatives has accelerated, driven by stringent industry-wide net-zero mandates and the circular economy framework. Manufacturers are reformulating textile compositions to include high percentages of regenerated fibers and bio-based resins, thereby reducing dependency on virgin petrochemicals and animal products. This trend prioritizes the reduction of embodied carbon in cabin interiors, appealing to environmentally conscious passengers and corporate sustainability goals. According to Ultrafabrics' June 2025 'Sustainability Report', the company announced that every product within its portfolio now contains at least 50 percent rapidly renewable or recycled materials, setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility in aviation soft furnishings.

Key Players Profiled in the Commercial Aircraft Upholstery Market

• Aircraft Cabin Modification GmbH
• Anjou Aeronautique
• Arville Textiles Limited
• AVIAINTERCOM LLC
• Bauermeister Aircraft Interior GmbH
• Belgraver B.V.
• Botany Weaving
• FELLFAB Limited
• Franklin Products, Inc.
• Fuchi Aviation Technology Co. Ltd.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Commercial Aircraft Upholstery Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Commercial Aircraft Upholstery Market, by End User:

• Narrowbody Aircraft
• Widebody Aircraft
• Regional Jets
• Business Jets

Commercial Aircraft Upholstery Market, by Seat Type:

• First Class
• Business Class
• Economy Class

Commercial Aircraft Upholstery Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Commercial Aircraft Upholstery Market.

Available Customization

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• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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