Airline blankets are small products with a large operational impact. Cabin procurement teams need a blanket that is comfortable for passengers, compact for storage, consistent in bulk production and suitable for the airline’s hygiene, packing and compliance requirements. For suppliers and buyers, the specification sheet must be clearer than a normal retail blanket brief.
This guide explains the main airline blanket specifications buyers should confirm before sampling, including size, GSM, material, edge finish, logo options, packing method and approval checks for economy, premium cabin and airline pillow blanket kit programs.
Quick Specification Checklist
The right airline blanket specification depends on route length, cabin class, storage space, laundry model, reuse plan and target budget. The table below gives practical starting points for buyer discussion, not fixed rules for every airline.
| Cabin Program | Common Size Starting Point | Common GSM Starting Point | Material Direction | Packing Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy class | 100 x 150 cm or 110 x 170 cm | 180 to 260 GSM | Polyester fleece, polar fleece, rPET fleece | Bulk carton, compact fold, optional individual polybag |
| Premium economy | 110 x 170 cm or 120 x 180 cm | 220 to 320 GSM | Soft fleece, coral fleece, recycled polyester, blended fabric | Individual bag, banded fold, cabin-ready carton |
| Business or first class | 120 x 180 cm, 130 x 180 cm or custom | 280 to 450 GSM | Premium fleece, wool blend, knit, jacquard or custom fabric | Individual premium packing, pouch, sleeve or kit set |
| Pillow and blanket kit | Blanket size depends on cabin role | Usually lightweight to medium | Fleece blanket with pillow cover, pouch or travel accessory set | Set packing, pillow-bag, polybag or custom pouch |
For the full solution overview, buyers can review the Airline Blanket Manufacturer hub.
1. Size: Balance Passenger Coverage and Cabin Storage
Airline blanket size should be selected by cabin use, not only by comfort preference. A larger blanket feels more generous, but it also takes more fabric, more storage space and more carton volume. A smaller blanket is easier to control for high-volume programs, but it may feel limited on long-haul flights.
For economy programs, buyers often start with compact sizes such as 100 x 150 cm or 110 x 170 cm. For business and first class, a larger size such as 120 x 180 cm or a custom dimension can better match the premium cabin experience. Airlines should also check folded dimensions because cabin carts and storage bins are often the real constraint.
Size Questions to Confirm
- Route length: Short-haul and long-haul cabins may need different blanket coverage.
- Seat pitch and cabin class: Premium seats usually allow a larger, softer blanket.
- Storage space: Confirm folded size, pieces per bag and pieces per carton.
- Passenger profile: Adult passengers, charter flights and premium cabins may need different sizing.
- Reuse or giveaway model: Reusable cabin blankets may justify a larger or stronger specification.
2. GSM: Control Warmth, Hand Feel and Freight Cost
GSM means grams per square meter. For airline blankets, GSM affects warmth, hand feel, price, weight, carton loading and cabin storage. A higher GSM usually feels more substantial, but it can increase freight cost and reduce the number of blankets that fit in each carton or aircraft storage area.
Economy blankets often need a lighter GSM so airlines can control budget and loading volume. Premium cabin blankets can use higher GSM or more refined materials because passenger experience is a stronger priority. Buyers should compare samples by actual hand feel, not only by a GSM number.
| GSM Direction | Best Use | Buyer Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | High-volume economy, short-haul, compact storage | Good for cost and carton loading, but must still feel soft enough |
| Medium weight | Economy, premium economy, reusable cabin programs | Balances warmth, cost, comfort and durability |
| Premium weight | Business class, first class, VIP and charter cabins | Improves perceived value but increases unit cost and freight volume |
3. Material: Choose by Cabin Class and Care Model
The material should match the route, cabin class and cleaning model. Polyester fleece is common because it is soft, lightweight, cost-effective and easy to produce in high volume. Recycled polyester can support sustainability programs. Wool blends or premium knit fabrics can be considered for higher cabin classes, but buyers should confirm care, shrinkage, hand feel and testing requirements.
Common Airline Blanket Material Options
- Polar fleece: Practical for economy and high-volume airline use.
- Coral fleece or flannel fleece: Softer hand feel for upgraded cabin programs.
- Recycled polyester fleece: Useful for sustainability-focused cabin procurement.
- Wool blend: Suitable for premium cabins when warmth, drape and perceived value matter.
- Jacquard or knit fabric: Good for premium design programs, subject to cost and durability checks.
For sustainable cabin projects, see Recycled Airline Blankets. For premium cabin direction, see Premium Aircraft Cabin Blankets.
4. Edge Finish, Logo and Color
Airline blankets are repeatedly handled, folded, stored and sometimes laundered. Edge finish matters because loose edges or weak stitching create visible quality issues quickly. Buyers should approve the edge type, stitch density and corner finish during sample review.
Branding can be subtle or obvious depending on the airline program. Some buyers prefer woven labels or small embroidery. Others want a jacquard logo, printed design or branded packing. For premium cabins, understated logo placement usually looks more refined. For promotional or charter programs, stronger branding may be acceptable.
| Branding Option | Best Fit | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Woven label | Most airline programs | Label size, placement, skin comfort and washing stability |
| Embroidery | Premium or branded cabin programs | Stitch density, back side comfort and logo clarity |
| Jacquard logo | Premium blankets and custom design programs | MOQ, lead time, pattern clarity and fabric cost |
| Printed logo or design | Promotional, charter or kit programs | Colorfastness, hand feel and visual consistency |
For more branding direction, buyers can review Custom Logo Airline Blankets.
5. Flame Retardant and Compliance Requirements
Aviation textile projects may require project-specific flame retardant or cabin material testing. Buyers should not assume that a general blanket automatically meets airline requirements. The supplier should confirm the requested standard, sample fabric, test method, report scope and whether the report applies to the exact bulk material and color.
For some aviation projects, FAR 25.853 or related cabin material requirements may be discussed by the buyer. Requirements can vary by airline, aircraft type, route, country and procurement policy, so the safest approach is to define the required documents before sampling.
Compliance Questions to Ask
- Which flame-retardant or cabin textile standard does the airline require?
- Is the test required for fabric only, finished blanket, label, packing or the complete kit?
- Does the test need to be completed before bulk order approval?
- Will the exact color, GSM and finish be covered by the report?
- Are chemical, sustainability or social audit documents also required?
For project-specific compliance planning, keep the wording careful: the supplier can support testing and documentation according to the buyer’s requested standard, but the final requirement should come from the airline or project owner.
6. Packing: Bulk, Individual Polybag, Vacuum or Kit
Packing is one of the most important airline blanket specifications because it affects hygiene perception, storage, loading speed and shipping cost. A blanket that looks good unfolded may fail operationally if it takes too much space or cannot be distributed efficiently by cabin crews.
| Packing Type | Best Use | Pros | Watchouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk fold in carton | High-volume reusable economy programs | Lower packing cost, efficient for large orders | Needs clear carton labeling and hygiene handling plan |
| Individual polybag | Economy, premium economy and hygiene-sensitive routes | Clean presentation, easier passenger distribution | Adds material cost and may affect sustainability goals |
| Vacuum packing | Storage-limited projects and export shipping | Reduces volume and can lower freight pressure | May affect first-touch presentation after opening |
| Pillow and blanket kit | Premium economy, long-haul, charter and amenity programs | Better passenger experience and stronger perceived value | Requires more detailed item list, packing artwork and QC |
For combined cabin sets, see Airline Pillow and Blanket Kits.
7. Carton Loading and Labeling
After the blanket size and packing method are chosen, buyers should request carton details before approving the final quotation. Carton size, pieces per carton, gross weight, net weight and CBM can change the true landed cost of the program.
Carton labels should match the airline’s warehouse and loading requirements. Common information includes item name, size, color, quantity, purchase order number, carton number, gross weight, net weight and destination details. For multi-SKU programs, clear labeling reduces warehouse sorting errors.
8. Sample Approval Before Bulk Production
The pre-production sample should represent the actual bulk order. Buyers should not approve only a fabric swatch when the real decision includes size, stitching, fold, packing and carton loading.
- Confirm final size and size tolerance.
- Check GSM, hand feel, warmth and drape.
- Review edge finish, stitch density and corner quality.
- Approve logo placement, label artwork and care label content.
- Confirm packing method, fold size and pieces per carton.
- Check carton marks, barcode, SKU code and PO information.
- Confirm required test reports and documentation before bulk production.
- Approve color standard under agreed lighting conditions.
Recommended Specification Format
A clear airline blanket RFQ should include all basic parameters in one place. This helps suppliers quote accurately and prevents later changes that affect cost, lead time or testing.
| RFQ Item | Example Detail to Provide |
|---|---|
| Cabin use | Economy, premium economy, business class, first class or charter |
| Size | 100 x 150 cm, 110 x 170 cm, 120 x 180 cm or custom |
| Material | Polyester fleece, rPET fleece, wool blend, knit or custom fabric |
| GSM | Target GSM or acceptable range |
| Color | Pantone reference, lab dip requirement or existing sample |
| Logo | Woven label, embroidery, jacquard, print or no logo |
| Packing | Bulk fold, individual polybag, vacuum pack, pouch or kit set |
| Documents | Testing, care label, sustainability documents, audit documents or buyer-specific files |
FAQ
What size is common for airline blankets?
Common starting points include 100 x 150 cm, 110 x 170 cm and 120 x 180 cm, depending on cabin class and route length. Buyers should confirm final size by passenger comfort, folded size and aircraft storage limits.
What GSM should an airline blanket use?
Economy blankets often use lighter to medium GSM ranges to control cost and storage volume, while premium cabin blankets can use higher GSM or upgraded materials. The final GSM should be confirmed by sample hand feel, warmth and carton loading.
Do airline blankets need flame-retardant testing?
Some aviation projects may require flame-retardant or cabin material testing, depending on the airline and project requirements. Buyers should define the required standard and documentation before sample approval.
