Introducing CSeat ALIZÉ: lightweight seating designed for high-speed rail

Berlin, September 22 2026 – Unveiled at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, CSeat ALIZÉ is our new second-class passenger seat developed specifically for high-speed rail. Approximately 30% lighter than conventional rail seats, it brings together passenger comfort, contemporary design and a modular approach built around the demands of railway operations.

Introducing CSeat ALIZÉ: lightweight seating designed for high-speed rail

For Rail. For Real. In Motion

Less weight, greater possibilities

For rail operators and rolling stock manufacturers, every kilogram has value.

Reducing seat weight can help address maximum axle-load constraints, contribute to energy efficiency and give manufacturers greater flexibility in vehicle design. Across a train, and over its operating life, these considerations make lightweight seating an important part of the economic equation.

ALIZÉ was developed with railway cost expectations at its core. Weight reduction works alongside durability, maintenance considerations an.d modularity to support value throughout the seat’s lifecycle

Designed around the passenger

A seat needs to feel right throughout the journey. Comfort, ergonomics, aesthetics and functionality have therefore been central to ALIZÉ’s development.

Working with NOSE Design Experience, we brought passenger-focused design expertise into the development process. The result combines contemporary styling with a modular design intended to support a long lifecycle and give operators flexibility as their needs evolve.

“Lightweight does not mean compromising passenger experience,” explains Carole Leydier, Product Manager at Expliseat. “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.”

Three years of engineering specifically for rail

ALIZÉ draws on more than a decade of Expliseat expertise in advanced materials, lightweight structures and manufacturing. Our experience with carbon-fibre composites and titanium provides a strong industrial foundation, supported by our capabilities in simulation and testing.

Building a seat for rail required dedicated development. Since the creation of Expliseat Ground in 2023, we have worked with leading rail organisations to understand the sector’s technical, operational and economic requirements. Following the launch of SITaeris at InnoTrans 2024, ALIZÉ marks the next step in that work.

“The challenge has been to engineer weight out of the seat without engineering value out of it,” says Tanguy Choupin, Technical Manager Ground Products. “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.”

Exploring lighter interiors with LIFT

Alongside ALIZÉ, we are showcasing LIFT, our fully tested lightweight cantilever solution.

LIFT is 50% lighter than a conventional cantilever solution. Its self-supporting structure secures passenger seats without traditional floor-mounted legs, helping to free up floor space, reduce structural weight and simplify integration and maintenance.

Available as a standalone solution for rail and bus applications, LIFT extends our approach to lightweight engineering beyond the seat itself.