General Atomics

Muirhead debuts seat cover designs for blind and visually impaired passengers

Scottish Leather Group business Muirhead, today unveiled its newest people-first design concept, which seeks to improve accessibility for blind and visually impaired travellers.



Image courtesy Muirhead


The latest evolution of Muirhead’s ‘Sensation’ collection highlights the importance of texture, colour contrast, and tactile signposting in helping passengers navigate their surroundings with greater confidence.

Building on the success of last year’s neurodiverse-friendly aircraft seat covers, the Scottish supplier’s 2025 collection seeks to inspire CMF designers as they envision the future of people-focused aircraft cabins.

Jamie O’Donnell, Lead Designer at Muirhead, said: “Blind and visually impaired passengers deserve cabin interiors that empower them to travel with confidence and dignity. Thoughtful seat cover design plays a crucial role in making that possible.

“By integrating tactile signposting, Braille, and high-contrast colours into their design choices, airlines can create a more intuitive and comfortable experience – one that enhances accessibility without compromising on style or quality.”



Developed through extensive research, the new collection introduces a range of tactile and high-contrast elements, empowering blind and visually impaired passengers to navigate the cabin independently. The functional colour palette incorporates warm earth tones to evoke a calming atmosphere.

Thanks to Muirhead’s advanced embossing and digital print capabilities, the designs feature raised seat numbering and Braille-embossed safety instructions – transcribed for Muirhead by students from the Royal National College for the Blind.

To cater to the needs of passengers with low vision, the headrests have also been enhanced with digitally printed seat numbers. These elements are carefully integrated into the seat design to assist passengers while maintaining a sleek, sophisticated finish.

Following the success of Muirhead’s Sensory Design Studio last year, they will be showcasing the benefits of their seat covers at AIX 2025.

Related

Venetz Aerospace secures UK CAA design approval for electric propulsion
Venetz Aerospace
Venetz Aerospace secures UK CAA design approval for electric propulsion
Venetz Aerospace has received UK CAA Part 21 Design Organisation Approval for electric motors and propellers for uncrewed and crewed aircraft applications.
Aerospace Defence

8 Jul 2026

ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace target hydrogen-electric defence aircraft
ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace sign hydrogen-electric defence aircraft collaboration agreement
ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace target hydrogen-electric defence aircraft
ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace have signed a collaboration agreement to explore hydrogen-electric propulsion and power systems for defence aircraft.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
UK and Netherlands sign £2.4bn deal for new NATO amphibious ships
The Damen Enforcer
UK and Netherlands sign £2.4bn deal for new NATO amphibious ships
The UK and the Netherlands will jointly develop and procure eight new amphibious transport ships under a £2.4bn partnership designed to strengthen NATO interoperability, modernise ageing fleets and support future autonomous maritime operations.
Defence

8 Jul 2026

£180 million RAF Brize Norton runway overhaul gets underway
£180 million RAF Brize Norton runway overhaul gets underway
£180 million RAF Brize Norton runway overhaul gets underway
A £180 million infrastructure programme has begun at RAF Brize Norton, replacing the runway and upgrading critical airfield systems to support UK air mobility operations.
Defence

8 Jul 2026

Venetz Aerospace secures UK CAA design approval for electric propulsion
Venetz Aerospace
Venetz Aerospace secures UK CAA design approval for electric propulsion
Venetz Aerospace has received UK CAA Part 21 Design Organisation Approval for electric motors and propellers for uncrewed and crewed aircraft applications.
Aerospace Defence

8 Jul 2026

CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Aeolus 2 by Airbus UK
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Airbus Defence and Space UK has been authorised to begin building Aeolus-2, a next-generation ESA and EUMETSAT weather satellite designed to deliver global wind measurements for more accurate forecasting, aviation operations and climate monitoring.
Space

6 Jul 2026

BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated the ability of its Endura system-on-chip (Soc) space processor…
Space

29 Jun 2026

CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for high-assurance defence operations
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for secure defence operations
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for high-assurance defence operations
Logiq has launched DISX Isolate, a standalone secure workspace designed for organisations handling sensitive information in deliberately disconnected environments.
Police leadership overhaul puts UK security capability under the spotlight
College of Policing image showing officers on the beat
Police leadership overhaul puts UK security capability under the spotlight
A major review of police leadership in England and Wales has warned that future UK security capability will depend on stronger leadership, skills and workforce planning as public safety organisations respond to more complex threats.
Security

7 Jul 2026