Image source: Vitra — Airline
© Vitra and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research.
Airline
Norman Foster's 1998 beam-seating system for durable, reconfigurable waiting areas
1998
Official product information
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Description
Overview
Norman Foster developed AIRLINE in 1998 with Vitra for airport waiting areas. Seat units, armrests and tables mount to an aluminium beam supported on die-cast aluminium legs.
Image source: Vitra — Airline · © Vitra and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy
System construction
The beam provides a common structure for different seating and table combinations. Vitra states that the system can be assembled with one wrench and reconfigured when requirements change.
Performance
AIRLINE is described as robust and easy to clean, with a restrained form intended for long service.
Story
Airport expertise translated into seating
Vitra approached Norman Foster because his architectural practice includes major international airports and their interiors. AIRLINE turns that experience into a repeatable waiting-area system.
Reconfiguration through one beam
The aluminium beam accepts separate components rather than fixing one seating arrangement permanently. Assembly with a single wrench allows later changes to the layout.
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