Expliseat, the lightweight seating specialist whose engineering technology is proven in aviation, is launching ALIZÉ, a second-class passenger seat developed specifically for high-speed rail, at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin.
Designed to combine significant weight reduction with passenger comfort, durability and modularity, ALIZÉ is ready today, built for tomorrow’s expectations.
The launch marks the next stage in Expliseat’s expansion beyond aviation. The company established Expliseat Ground in 2023 to apply its lightweight engineering expertise to other forms of mobility and, over the past three years, has worked with leading rail organisations to develop technologies specifically for the sector. ALIZÉ builds on this development, following the launch of SITaeris at InnoTrans 2024.
Amaury Barberot, CEO of Expliseat, said: “We have more than a decade of experience developing lightweight seating for aviation, but rail has very different requirements. Our aim with ALIZÉ was to transfer our expertise in advanced materials, engineering and manufacturing into a product designed specifically for rail.
“The economics of rail are fundamental: weight, durability, maintenance and the ability to adapt a vehicle over time all matter. Combined with durability and modularity over the seat lifecycle, this creates a compelling economic equation designed around railway cost expectations. ALIZÉ is approximately 30% lighter than conventional rail seats. For operators and rolling stock manufacturers, reducing onboard weight can help address maximum axle-load constraints, contribute to energy efficiency and create greater flexibility in vehicle design – with every kilogram saved having an economic value over the life of the vehicle.
Expliseat’s aerospace experience includes more than ten years developing lightweight seating using advanced materials including carbon-fibre composites and titanium. Its expertise in materials, manufacturing, simulation and testing provides the industrial foundation for its rail activities, while ALIZÉ has been developed specifically around rail requirements.
Tanguy Choupin, Technical Manager Ground Products, said: “The challenge has been to engineer weight out of the seat without engineering value out of it. ALIZÉ is the result of three years of rail-specific engineering, combining structure, materials and manufacturing to deliver significant weight savings in a robust, durable product designed for rail.”
Passenger experience has been central to ALIZÉ’s development, combining comfort, ergonomics and contemporary design with a modular approach designed to support flexibility over the seat’s lifecycle. The design was developed in collaboration with NOSE Design Experience, bringing specialist expertise in passenger-focused design and ergonomics.
Carole Leydier, Product Manager at Expliseat, said: “Lightweight does not mean compromising passenger experience. ALIZÉ combines comfort, ergonomics, aesthetics and functionality with a modular design that supports a long lifecycle. It is designed to meet today’s expectations while giving operators flexibility for the future.”
Expliseat is also showcasing LIFT, its fully tested lightweight cantilever solution, at InnoTrans. LIFT is 50% lighter than a conventional cantilever solution and uses a self-supporting structure to secure passenger seats without traditional floor-mounted legs. This can reduce structural weight, free up floor space and simplify cabin integration and maintenance. LIFT is available as a standalone solution for rail and bus applications.
Together, ALIZÉ and LIFT demonstrate Expliseat’s approach to lightweight vehicle interiors, considering weight alongside passenger experience, integration, economics and lifecycle performance. Expliseat will use InnoTrans to meet with rail operators, rolling stock manufacturers, procurement and engineering specialists and potential partners as it develops commercial opportunities for ALIZÉ and its wider rail technology portfolio.
Amaury Barberot added: “Our ambition is to develop solutions that make a real difference to rail – technically, economically and for passengers. ALIZÉ is an important step towards that ambition and demonstrates what lightweight engineering can bring to the future of rail.”
Expliseat is exhibiting ALIZÉ and LIFT at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin from 22–25 September.
