An aircraft seat pan assembly to be mounted on an aircraft seat foundation including a pair of spaced side rail supports and a pair of spaced apart cross supports disposed in spanning relating between the side rail supports, the seat pan assembly including a seat panel with a primary surface, a pair of opposite side edges, a front edge, and a rear edge. The side edges and front edge of the seat panel are structured to be secured directly to the side rail supports and a front cross support of the seat foundation in generally planar relation thereto, and a rear edge of the seat panel is structured to be secured to the rear cross support in a generally elevated, spaced apart position there above such that a quantity of a downward spine load exerted on the seat panel will be absorbed at the connection between the rear edge and the rear cross support. Accordingly, the panel will resist the downward spine load thereon to a satisfaction of FAA guidelines with a minimum initial stroking distance between the primary surface of the seat panel and any underlying seat frame portions being maintained.