Summary
Overview of Aircraft Seat Repurposing
As a traveler, you may have many questions about flying. For instance, how does an aircraft stay in the air? While contemplating your next adventure, you might wonder where an aircraft’s seats go when a plane gets remodeled.
Southwest Airlines’ Innovations
Southwest Airlines is addressing a question you may not have considered before. The airline took to Twitter to pose the inquiry, “Did you know that every Southwest airplane receives a full aircraft overhaul every four years? Ever wonder where all those leather seat covers go?”
In fact, since 2014, Southwest has donated more than “1.4 million pounds of leather aircraft seat coverings to various organizations that provide employment, skills training, and other social benefits for communities.” Such organizations include Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center, Help Heal Veterans, and Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Partnership with Unshattered
A notable nonprofit that Southwest collaborates with is Unshattered, which upcycles the airline’s disposed leather into handcrafted travel bags and accessories. Focused on empowering women in recovery, Unshattered aims to provide pathways toward economic independence and sustained sobriety.
“By upcycling the leather seat covers through our partners like Unshattered, Southwest and our partners have transformed waste materials into beautiful new products, all while giving back to communities around the world,” a Southwest spokesperson mentioned.
All the products by Unshattered appear to be tailor-made for frequent fliers. This includes their leather weekender bag, matching toiletry bag, wristlet, wallet, and travel tote—all made from the signature supple blue leather known to Rapid Rewards members. Fittingly, the collection is named the “Possibilities Take Flight” collection.
“Through a combination of community, employment, and personal development, Unshattered gives women the opportunity to find their purpose and live an addiction-free life,” Kelly Lyndgaard, Unshattered’s founder, remarked. “Just like the refurbished premium materials used to craft these gorgeous bags, the women of Unshattered are being made new again. We are grateful to Southwest Airlines for ‘Repurposing with a Purpose’ through Unshattered to enable women to thrive in recovery.”
