Through many entries, it seems that we have our finalists in the Crystal Cabin Awards 2024, as airlines, manufacturers and their partners vie for trophies for their category.
25 entries have made the cut this year. Let us have a look to see who’s in the running in the seven categories:
Cabin Concepts
Tangerine Ltd, realised in collaboration with Japan Airlines, Safran Seats, and Recaro Aircraft Seating is first up with their JAL A350-1000 Cabin Interior, bringing tradition and modernity to the cabin
Factorydesign and BermudAir, are next for their business class cabin by offering a suite that combines privacy and luxurious space with a unique aisle concept.
Finally, Airspace Cabin Vision 2035+ by Airbus Operations GmbH rounds out the concept for lightweight construction and circular economy to reduce negative environmental impacts with the goal of up to 40 percent lighter cabins and digitally supported, waste-reducing catering concepts.
Cabin Systems
Power delivery in the cabin is a focus this year, with GeniusPOWER Core by KID-Systeme GmbH enabling constant availability of devices above the clouds through intelligent charging options.
theCUBE by Safran Cabin is a suitable solution for cleanly disposing of food and liquid waste in the galley. The Cube integrates seamlessly into the overall appearance and maintains a hygienic workspace for the cabin crew by activating UV light upon closure to eliminate odours and prevent the growth of bacteria.
We’re back to power with Burrana presents RISE Power, an advanced in-seat power supply system that redefines performance. It is notable for its low weight of only 200 grams per seat, enables cost-effective installation without re-certification of the seat, and ensures fast charging of passengers’ devices.
Health And Safety
Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI), in collaboration with Air New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic, has designed Accessible IFE, an accessible in-flight entertainment product that allows passengers with auditory, visual, cognitive, and motor impairments to enjoy onboard entertainment.
The AirPRO by Schroth Safety Products is a passenger lap belt airbag, developed in cooperation with the design studio Teams and DesignBüro Stühmer|Scholz. It combines an integrated airbag with crash sensor technology under the seat, which quickly activates the airbag in the event of an accident, and is designed for adaptability to different cabin designs.
The Accenture PED safety bag by Accenture GmbH is a safety solution for personal electronic devices during flight, ensuring 100% containment of fire, smoke, and toxic gases in case of lithium battery failures.
Passenger Comfort
The Wellbeing Zone by Diehl Aviation, in collaboration with Qantas Airways Ltd, is an area between the Economy and Premium Economy classes, designed for flights of up to 22 hours, offering a space to stretch and linger at standing spaces, with a self-service station with contactless water dispensers as well as healthy snacks and drinks.
The Signature Seat by Safran Seats is a seat which guarantees personal space for each passenger through a patented, fixed pre-set backrest architecture and is adjustable for different body types. The seat innovation, suitable for both long and medium-haul flights, aims to improve comfort in the Economy class while also providing cost-effective solutions for airlines.
The ARISE intelligent comfort system by Collins Aerospace is a smart seat comfort mechanism that uses sensor technology and advanced materials to reduce the main disturbances of sleep during flight – body temperature, pressure distribution, and vibration. It automatically adjusts seat position, cushion pressure, and environmental conditions based on real-time data analysis.
IFEC & Digtial Services
Intelsat offers with its Intelsat Multi-Orbit Connectivity improved internet services onboard aircraft by combining geostationary satellites and low-Earth orbit satellites to enable faster speeds and lower latencies.
The ADAPT system by Collins Aerospace allows passengers to control their seats, the in-flight entertainment system and onboard service using their personal mobile devices, with individual settings being automatically integrated. The platform supports advanced functions such as voice control, American Sign Language gesture recognition, and audio-visual feedback.
FlytEdge, developed by Thales Avionics, is the first cloud-based, digital in-flight entertainment solution that enables the integration of web applications and streaming services, as well as real-time updates of software and content.
Material & Components
STARLight by Collins Aerospace is a structural technology that uses advanced composite designs, robotic manufacturing, and sustainable materials to reduce the weight of aircraft components while also lowering manufacturing costs
Unum Aircraft Seating, in collaboration with MGR Foamtex, has developed “Door 2.0 – The Zen Privacy Door,” a patented foldable design for Business-Class privacy doors that is significantly less complex and therefore lighter and easier to certify.
Diehl Aviation and 9T Lab presented the CO Bracket is an innovative bracket made from recycled thermoplastic production waste and featuring an advanced manufacturing process that optimises load distribution and mechanical performance.
Sustainable Cabin
The R Sphere by RECARO Aircraft Seating is an innovative seating concept that uses sustainable materials such as cork, wood, recycled fishing nets, and cactus. It is characterised by the ability to reduce CO2 emissions by 63 tonnes per aircraft annually and is 100% recyclable at the end of its lifecycle, making it a pioneer in eco-friendly aircraft seats.
The ECO Sidewall by Diehl Aviation is also an innovative cabin side wall concept for aircraft cabins, which, through the use of lightweight materials and advanced technologies, achieves a weight reduction of ten percent and a reduction in CO2 emissions by ten percent during operation. It integrates environmentally friendly technologies that significantly reduce production waste and thus contribute to more sustainable cabin designs.
The Onboard Water Dispenser by Safran Cabin uses the existing water supply of the aircraft and can be installed near the toilets and galleys, where it ensures clean drinking water through UV filter technology.
University
Flexifold by Tongji University, in collaboration with Dupont, is an Economy seat that provides improved body support through an innovative fold-and-snap mechanism. The seat integrates lightweight and breathable materials in a sandwich structure and offers modular adjustment options for privacy, lying angle, and foot support to enhance comfort in cramped cabin spaces. ”
“Silentium in excelsis” by the University of São Paulo in cooperation with Embraer is an aircraft noise-cancelling device. It uses artificial intelligence and is equipped with a camera that directs sound waves specifically at the passengers’ heads to reduce the white noise from aircraft engines.
Silvacomfort also by the University of São Paulo in cooperation with Embraer is a cabin system that uses sensor technology and artificial intelligence to individually adjust environmental conditions for each passenger, by modifying temperature, lighting, and sound based on the respective profile of the passenger.
The Wheelchair Space and Securement System (WSSS), developed by a student team from Virginia Tech in cooperation with Boeing, All Wheels Up, and Collins Aerospace, allows passengers with limited mobility to sit securely in their own wheelchairs during flight. The system is integrated into the seating configuration of the Economy Class and can be flexibly adapted when not in use to minimise revenue losses for airlines.
Towards the winners
As usual, there is welcoming innovation with the awards finalists – be it in comfort, weight, safety or connectivity.
We’ve not got long to wait, as the winners of the 2024 Crystal Cabin Awards will be announced on the evening of 28 May at a gala dinner at the Hamburg Chambers of Commerce.
This is during the Passenger Experience Week in Hamburg, which features Aircraft Interiors Expo (28 – 30 May 2024 in Hamburg).
Hopefully, we’ll be on the ground to report on it.
Images via The Crystal Cabin Awards.
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