Rethinking premium long-distance train seating — Railway Interiors International 2025

Passenger Rail Seating Trends in 2025

In passenger rail seating, we see technological and design trends moving well beyond hardware innovation. Increasingly, the focus is on how operational and service factors integrate with the seat itself—particularly in long-distance day and night travel. Passengers want comfort, but also reassurance: the ability to store and access luggage safely during overnight journeys, privacy and security in shared environments, and discreet service provision such as bed-making or passenger care without disturbing the entire carriage. These requirements point towards a more holistic approach, where seating solutions are designed as part of the wider travel experience.

From a design and R&D perspective, the rail sector is also facing shifting expectations as it positions itself as a sustainable alternative to short-haul aviation. This means premium seating must not only deliver comfort and versatility but also efficiency in weight, maintenance, and lifecycle performance. Materials, mechanisms, and modular solutions are all under scrutiny to meet operators’ cost and service demands while offering passengers more flexibility in how they use their space.

Herringbone business-class-inspired rail seat

One recent exploration of ours has been in the premium long-distance segment: a herringbone business-class-inspired rail seat. Drawing on lessons from aviation, this lightweight, low-maintenance lie-flat concept addresses both day and night requirements. Importantly, it is designed more like domestic furniture—chairs and sofas—encouraging varied lounging postures and breaking away from the rigid linear positions typical in rail. In doing so, it redefines expectations of comfort and functionality for future long-distance rail interiors.