Thompson Aero Seating has used AIX to announce that the launch customer for its new VantageXL⁺ product will be China Southern Airlines for it’s upcoming A350 deliveries.

The seat is the newest iteration of the VantageXL, but optimised to fit the dimensions of the A350 and B787 fuselages.

Welcoming the order, Keith Anderson, CEO of Thompson Aero Seating, said: “We have worked in close collaboration with the airline team to bring to life what started as a spark of an idea. Our philosophy at Thompson is always to enhance and evolve our seats and China Southern has been a great partner in enabling us to do this.”

READ: Thompson Vantage Business Class seats fitted on Aer Lingus A321XLR

In each ship set, Thomspon will deliver 18 business-class seats, which will accommodate 24 passengers in a 1-2-1 LOPA configuration. Each will have a minimum seat width of 24” and a bed length on 76.9” at a 44” pitch.

Yongchao Zeng, Executive Vice President at China Southern says: “We are very excited to be launching the VantageXL⁺ and to be able to offer our customers a seat that really is the best of the best. The enhanced front row adds an extra element to the flight experience, and we are delighted to be able to offer this option.”

The first of the airline’s new fleet of A350s is expected to be delivered in Q4 2026.