The first delivery of the new B747-8 Intercontinental aircraft to Boeing's launch commercial customer will incorporate a series of structural lightweight composite flooring plinths for the first class seating area, which have been specially designed and produced by UK's Tods Aerospace.

The contract for the seating plinths has been placed by B/E Aerospace Super First Class in Tucson, Arizona, and builds on an on-going partnership between B/E and Tods following the successful design and build of plinths for United and Cathay Pacific seating programmes.

On announcing the contract Colin Faulkner, Business Development Manager, Tods Aerospace Limited said: "Tods have developed a professional working relationship with B/E Aerospace, who are one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seating. Each new type of aircraft launch requires even more design creativity and higher structural standards to meet premium class travellers cabin seating expectations. With the new B747-8i the seating is even more sophisticated and the design specification for the flooring plinth has been very complex."

Tods Aerospace also announced another co-operation package with B/E Aerospace for seating plinths and flooring structures for the refit of 57 A330 and A340 aircraft.