This was published 8 years ago
Crystal Cabin Awards 2016: The aircraft interiors of the future revealed
By Soo Kim
A rendering of Airbus's Airspace A330neo cabin.
The winners of this year's Crystal Cabin Awards have been revealed at the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. The prestigious awards highlight the best aircraft cabin innovations across eight different design categories.
Here we take a closer look at the winners and other future aircraft interior designs unveiled at this year's event.
Etihad Airways' First-Class Suite on Boeing 787
Category: Cabin Concepts
Eithad's luxury suite designed for Dreamliner aircraft aims to offer "unrivalled levels of space, features and luxury", including a "fully pneumatic and customisable" leather seat that converts into a flat bed.
An aerial shot of Etihad Airways' First Class suite.
Each fully-enclosed suite comes with high sliding doors for maximum privacy, a mini bar, personal closet and large table for two-person dining.
Etihad Airways' First Class suite.
London design firm Seymourpowell was also shortlisted for its "First Spaces" design for A380 aircraft which is intended to offer the privacy of a boutique hotel room, incorporating either four single rooms and two double rooms, each with a fully lie-flat seat that could be converted into a comfortable bed, alongside ample storage, table and enhanced multimedia features. Passengers would be able to shut the doors to their individual suites and order food, drinks and whatever else might be required via tablet rather than engaging directly with cabin crew throughout the flight.
A rendering of First Spaces by Seymourpowell.
See also: Boeing reveals their plane cabins of the future
Delft's The HeadRest
Category: University
Delft University of Technology of the Netherlands, in association with Zodiac Seats US, was awarded for its innovative headrest device which is designed to offer you more control and privacy while sleeping or relaxing on a flight. Made with two side wings that unfold, The HeadRest cradles your head as you lean sideways to prevent sliding and nodding to one side, as is your head's wont while dozing on flights.
The HeadRest by Delft University of Technology.
Delft dominated this design category, with two of its other designs shortlisted along with The HeadRest, including Modulair – a modular galley made with removable modules that can be removed from the plane should there be a need to make room for more seats.
The Modulair concept designed by Delft.
Its other shortlisted concept was FiO, an adaptive aircraft entry design that could be transformed to fit different functions for the flight, while allowing 25 per cent more floor space than the current standard entry model.
The FiO concept designed by Delft.
Zodiac Aerospace's Lifestyle Cabin
Category: Visionary Concepts
Zodiac's new cabin design breaks away from the conventional aircraft cabin model where the seat is the centre of activity and incorporates a "a visionary cabin architecture that revolves around a new and more natural passenger experience". The products and services on offer would be tailored according to the "true behavioural patterns and needs of people".
A rendering of Zodiac Aerospace's Lifestyle Cabin concept.
B/E Aerospace's Viu Lighting System
Category: Cabin Systems
The flexible new lighting system by US manufacturer B/E Aerospace offers an "infinite array of palettes, patterns, timed intervals and lumens" and can be installed anywhere that needs lighting, from galleys to lavatories and stowage areas. Viu is currently the only lighting system that can offer both standard and accent lighting and is unmatched in terms of brightness and versatility. It is being fitted to 105 aircraft across several clients including British Airways, Emirates, American Airlines and Japan Air Lines.
B/E Aerospace's Viu lighting system.
Lufthansa Systems' BoardConnect Portable Solution
Category: Electronic Systems
The "all-in-one" in-flight entertainment system is based on lightweight Mobile Streaming Units (MSU) where the internet server and access points are integrated in one device, offering the "highest quality of wireless streaming", with faster loading and concurrent streaming of content up to 100 passengers. It was said to be the most cost-effective solution for low-cost carriers.
Lufthansa Systems' BoardConnect.
US company Thales, in collaboration with B/E Aerospace, introduced the largest digital seatback surface ever, with its 22" & 26" HD touchscreen, which was among the others shortlisted in the Electronic Systems category. Images on the new screen would be five times larger in economy class and six times larger in premium economy, while passengers could also access a split screen display.
The largest seatback screen ever, proposed by Thales.
Rebel Aero's Booster Economy Seat Design
Category: Passenger Comfort Hardware
This folding "booster" seat designed by UK manufacturer Rebel Aero allows passengers to adjust their seating position during a flight according to their needs, from preventing stiffness in the neck or any other discomforts to standing up to accommodate other passengers boarding or exiting their seats. The seat can also be used as a child booster seat, eliminating the added weight of a separate child seat.
A rendered view of Rebel Aero's 'booster economy' seat.
Other shortlisted designs included German manufacturer Diehl Aerospace's use of cabin illumination and the projection of static and moving images on the overhead lockers to create the "perfect cabin atmosphere"
Diehl Aerospace's concept incorporating the projection of static and moving images on the overhead lockers.
See also: When is it OK to recline your seat?
Boeing's Clean Cabin Lavatory
Category: Greener Cabin, Health, Safety and Environment
Boeing's Clean Cabin Lavatory features a range of technologies, from a faster and more effective "Far UV disinfection unit that can actively sanitize surfaces, air, and water in the lavatory" to touch-less features that can reduce the transmission of disease-causing microorganisms. Its architectural and material design have been optimised to eliminate the accumulation of dirt within the toilet space.
Boeing's Clean Cabin Lavatory.
Sekisui SPI's Infused Imaging
Category: Material and Components
The US-based manufacturer Sekisui SPI won the Material and Components category with its infused imaging concept where the cabin interiors could be fitted with custom-made designs through the use of "thermoplastic surfaces with bespoke patterns and designs".
Custom-made cabin designs by Sekisui SPI.
See also: Who needs windows? New plane design puts passengers in the hold
More future aircraft innovations
Airbus also unveiled a mock-up of its Airspace A330 neo cabin, which features "programmed LED lighting" as well as configured overhead bins and lavatories with touch-free fixtures and anti-bacterial surfaces. The manufacturer announced plans to upgrade its Malaysia Airlines A330 business class seating by the end of this year. The new business class seats would have a pitch of 44 inches, a width of 20 inches and length of 76 inches when laid flat. Ninety per cent of the seats would have direct aisle access in the new 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 seat configuration.
A mock-up of Airbus' Airspace A330neo cabin.
STG Aerospace revealed the liTeMood LED reading light design concept featuring a square-shaped light pattern clearly outlining each individual passenger's space to enhance their privacy, comfort and visual experience and prevent unwanted light from shining over neighbouring fliers.
The company also introduced a "photoluminescent floor path system technology" which changes the traditional green glow lighting to blue without compromising passenger safety.
Lufthansa Technik presented an interactive system that lets passengers track their flight live on their tablet or smartphone on a moving 3D-map using satellite images, allowing for customised views and information displays such as altitude, speed and travel time.
French company Expliseat revealed a new range of ultra lightweight aircraft seats known as the Titanium Seat NEO, in collaboration with car manufacturer Peugeot Group.
The Telegraph, London
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