FROM
Our View
Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) is a show we attend with much anticipation each year. Technology keeps marching on, while airlines look to the industry to deliver high perceived value innovations for passengers to drive brand loyalty.
If, after reviewing our report, you have questions about how you might leverage trends and new technologies to develop and deliver what’s next in the aerospace industry, we’d love to talk.
Vision systems’ electronically dimmable windows
Acti-vision’s window goes beyond fancy dimming actions to become a smart interactive interface- buy drinks, access flight details and go shopping.
Aerospace Technologies Group showed off its power shade system that enables passengers to control and customize the amount of light coming into the cabin.
Now the largest passenger window available on any passenger jet, the GKN Aerospace Skyview Panoramic Window is available on new Boeing Business Jets.
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW) students designed a concept for passengers in a wheelchair to be able to use the washroom without assistance. The Smart Onboard Wheelchair concept is specially designed to be rolled directly over an airplane’s toilet.
Belgraver’s bassinet is designed and tested for Airbus and Boeing Aircraft and weighs just 6 pounds.
While passengers might not realize it, the GermFalcon could make their flight much more enjoyable as the robot kills bacteria, viruses and superbugs with UV “C” light, thwarting those bugs that might make passengers sick on the way to vacation.
Is this the flight attendant of the future? THK thinks so.
Hawaiian Airlines announced seats will be fitted with device holders and USB power outlets, but the drink holders are what got our attention.
Spafax debuted an Alexa-driven, voice-activated assistant that enables passengers to ask Alexa what entertainment will be available on their flight.
A nod to Rollon Linear Evolution for the most fun booth experience. What a way to highlight actuation solutions.
Since 1990, the space between airplane seats has been reduced by two to five inches.
From A study by travel analyst Bill McGee in 2014
SEATING
GIVING YOU BACK THAT LOST SPACE AND MORE
Mirus Aircraft Seating displayed its lightweight composite-based seats, which AirAsia has chosen for its retrofit into its entire Airbus A320 fleet.
The Mirus Hawk seat is a configurable, modular seat platform inspired by the auto industry.
The Mirus 2030 concept seat’s structure is made with carbon fiber and is the thinnest (and most uncomfortable looking) we’ve ever seen.
Molon Labe Seating’s Stagger Seat separates the arms, thighs and elbows of passengers, which has a small visual impact but makes a huge ergonomic difference.
In an effort to address the middle seat’s inferiority complex, Air New Zealand designed their new seat row with a wider middle to counter the roomier feel of the window and aisle seats.
Recaro’s Flex Seat concept allows for more legroom with a simple sliding action.
This adjustable headrest delivers a little customization with a simple solution.
Airbus approached space maximization in a different way: a new front stair configuration enabling 20 more seats to be added to the A380.
FIRST CLASS
YOU LOOK SO
familiar...
Qatar Airlines’ new first class offering can be configured for meeting-style seating. We think this is a great idea, in fact, we presented a very similar concept in our 2014 future of flight report. Did you miss it?
2014 FUTURE OF
FLIGHT REPORT
CLICK HERE
This customizable premium cabin concept for the A380 and A350 is made up of several suites, featuring a 'day' living zone, and a private quiet 'night' environment.
Poltrona Frau, whose fine furniture craftsmanship dates back to the early 1900s, is delivering beauiful, high-end first-class offerings through its Poltrona Frau Interiors in Motion division.
In a nod to automotive styling, this first class seating leverages a wood finish for a divider.
SITA found that 86% of passengers said they take at least one digital device onboard, a rise of more than a third over the last 12 months.
BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE
Some additions to accommodate passengers bringing their own devices are as simple as a plastic phone/tablet holder attached to the seat.
IFPL’s 20 years of products run parallel to the evolution of passenger entertainment: from their first audio jacks in 1996 to higher end audio, power, USB power, phone charging, wireless charging, even integrated into hard seatback pockets.
Mirus integrated USB charging ports into the armrests in the seats that are being retrofitted into AirAsia’s Airbus A320 fleet.
The Nexus Integrated Seat Arm by IFPL is a concept that delivers integrated charging and connectivity in-seat for Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs).
Skycast’s TabCaddy clip is a low-cost solution for holding tablets and smartphones with a clip on the seatback tray.
Our own Encompass™ wireless IFE solution is enabling BYOD as well, and making it simple to do so with a truly complete solution, including built in charging capability. Of course, we join the industry in keeping our eye on the evolving discussions around the possible passenger device bans. Rest assured, whatever ultimately occurs, we will be there to work with you on your solutions for the Internet of FlightTM.
BYOD
ENABLING THE MOVEMENT
Airbus selected Gogo as a new supplier for “High Bandwidth Connectivity” (HBC) line-fit and retrofit solutions, across all A320, A330 and A380 product families. Gogo’s system uses ‘Ku-Band’ and is compatible with Airbus’ new HBC architecture.
According to a tweet from Jason Rabinowitz, Lufthansa Group now has 67 aircraft with Gx WiFi from Inmarsat, which is 15 more than 2 weeks prior.
ViaSat announced plans to launch their next-gen ViaSat2 Ka-band satellite by the end of 2017.
SES is adding a digital processor to the SES-17 satellite. Set to launch in 2020, it will be used to provide Thales’ FlytLive service, currently using Ka-band satellites.
GEE’s Airtime Inflight Entertainment system is being accessed by in-cabin servers and WiFi routers instead of broadband satellite connectivity.
Gogo will be providing in-flight WiFi service on North Atlantic routes using Telesat’s 29e satellite.
tell us
WHAT YOU THINK
MATERIALS
Supracor's Simulite honeycomb allows air to circulate and moisture to evaporate, delivering a comfortable seat cushion for passengers.
The Simulite honeycomb was inspired by nature and offers a lightweight, comfortable and low-profile cushion solution.
GGI Solutions displays unique interface options that can be integrated into various aspects of the aircraft.
Boltaron’s material prevents spills as cups stay where you put them.
Dymetrol® fabric eliminates the need for foam and spring materials and is resistant to mold, decomposition, bacteria, sweat, gasoline, saltwater and acetic acid.
Tapis’ ultraleather weighs less than regular leather and cools down 50% quicker too.
The colors available to seat manufacturers are nearly unlimited.
Recaro’s antibacterial coatings, almost self-cleaning, provides a barrier which dissolves bacteria quickly after application.
YOU LOOK SO
familiar...
Every year, our team scouts expos from diverse industries and prepares reports just like this one to keep you informed of trends and product development advances that may help inform your process. We couldn’t help but be reminded of our report from NEOCON (the world’s most important event for the commercial design industry) last year when we came upon these laser cut and textured wall treatments. This is a perfect case-in-point for watching other industries, even if they seem quite divergent from yours.
glimpses from neocon
MIRRORED AT AIX
LOOK BACK ON OUR NEOCON 2016 REPORT
The global commercial aircraft cabin lighting market is expected to grow to US$1.25bn by the end of this year. The global aircraft lighting market will be worth $2.52bn by 2025.
according to a tweet from Aircraft Interiors
LIGHTING
Astronics displayed mood and task lighting for the cabin.
The Airspace by Airbus concept was launched last year but still drew crowds at this year’s show with its beautiful lighting and flexible canvas for projecting the airline’s brand.
Lighting can play a big role in setting a mood, even as a tool to induce better sleep, gradually wake up passengers and energize them.
Diehl’s projection system continues to advance, bringing future ambiance, entertainment and tactical uses closer to fruition.
YOU LOOK SO
familiar...
If you attended our presentation at APEX 2016, you would have seen Mark Schwartz, President, Design Consultancy Practice for Telefonix PDT, present technologies to keep your eyes peeled for, as they’d likely make their way to the skies. Well look here: organic user interfaces, or interfaces with a non-flat display, were presented by GGI at AIX this year. Keep looking for more to be integrated and to push the boundaries of what passengers currently interact with onboard.
AUTO-INSPIRED
This seat calls upon throw-back styling and color blocking. We’re feelin’ retro, like we’re about to zoom off in our 50’s era muscle car.
Ferrari thinks this color combo is hot, and we agree.
Chrome is a finish etched in the history of automotive styling that is leveraged heavily to this day. AIX held some examples of it for the cabin... some were more successful than others. Beautifully executed chrome details frame the windows for a classy, elegant feel and a touch of sparkle.
Boeing has teamed up with automotive interiors company Adient to explore a future aircraft seating partnership. In a press release, Adient spokesman David Roznowski states, "As we expand into adjacent markets, we will share our knowledge internally and with our partners to improve the experience of passengers in the air and on the ground," he said in an email. "Autonomous driving … case in point."
tell us
WHAT YOU THINK
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