Lithuania-based aircraft cabin specialist J&C Aero says airlines are increasingly optimizing cabin space, driving more demand for retrofit-friendly products.
In May, the company announced it had received a new European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) supplemental type certificate (STC) for the integration of under-bin closets and a cabin reconfiguration to expand catering storage in high-density aircraft configurations—effectively addressing space constraints caused by reduced galley areas.
“We are seeing a clear uptick in requests from airlines seeking additional or more efficient catering capacity,” Maxim Jurkov, head of design at J&C Aero, tells Aviation Week Network. He attributes the rising demand to two converging trends: the growth of high-density cabin layouts and the operational constraints posed by reduced galley space on newer narrowbody aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families.
The centerpiece of the newly certified under-bin stowage unit is to boost onboard storage and catering capacity without major cabin modifications. Unlike traditional galley modules that require structural changes and extended maintenance downtime, the new unit mounts directly to existing seat tracks. J&C Aero says this allows for quick installation during standard line maintenance, reducing aircraft ground time and cost.
From a technical standpoint, Jurkov says that traditional galley or monument installations are typically mounted on structural hard points—areas of the aircraft such as floor beams or fuselage frames that require invasive modifications—including reinforcement of load-bearing areas, rerouting of electrical and plumbing systems and re-certification of affected cabin zones, leading to extended downtime.
“These ground times often exceed one week but [are] typically scheduled during heavy maintenance checks [C or D checks] when full access to the aircraft interior and systems is already planned,” Jurkov says.
Unlike other options, J&C Aero says its under-bin stowage unit is specifically designed to connect directly to the existing seat tracks, which are already approved as structural attachment points within the cabin floor grid. J&C Aero says this method avoids the need for structural alterations or rerouting of systems, simplifying the process and minimizing labor. According to Jurkov, the installation takes only a few hours and can be performed during routine line maintenance, requiring access to just a limited section of the cabin floor.
“This seat track-based design enables rapid deployment, reduces the certification burden and enhances retrofit flexibility across different fleet types,” he says.
J&C Aero has identified several alternative use cases for the solution. For instance, the company reports that some airlines have expressed interest in relocating emergency equipment from overhead stowage compartments to the under-bin unit to free up space for passenger carry-on luggage.
Another option is to utilize the unit for additional catering functionality, including the integration of galley inserts. “This application requires electrical provisioning, which our design supports through optional modular electrical interfaces compatible with existing aircraft systems,” Jurkov says.
Inevitably, J&C encountered some challenges in certifying the under-bin stowage unit for use within existing cabin structures. Jurkov says the primary hurdle was finding the optimal balance between creating a user-friendly design and ensuring full compliance with airworthiness regulations.
With the STC secured, J&C Aero says it is actively entering the market introduction phase. It plans to engage more operators, especially those flying A320neo-family aircraft in maximum passenger configurations.
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