RUNNERS UP
Panasonic was a strong competitor with its Active
Noise Control technology for business class seats – part
of the company’s Wellness solution. Built-in active
noise control, without the use of headphones, can give
business and first-class passengers a more comfortable
and restful sleep experience on long-haul flights by
reducing background aircraft noise. Calming music or
bird noises can even be selected by the passenger, if
they find such sounds restful.
The third finalist in this category was French design
studio, Style & Design, with a radical approach to longhaul
seating. The studio has found that not having the
same body parts in contact with the same surfaces
on long-haul flights (which can be up to 19 hours) is
instrumental to passenger comfort. Thus the Moments
concept significantly extends the seating space in
business class, offering a range of sofa-like positions
for sitting, lying and turning, without requiring extra
cabin space.
ai r c raf t inter iorsinternat ional . com 085
JUNE 2019
Passenger Comfort Hardware
University
WINNER: RECARO
AIRCRAFT SEATING
This category recognises innovative ideas for enhancing
passenger comfort, whether for all passengers or for
specific groups of passengers. This category includes
anything from seats, lavs and bins, to partitions, lighting
systems, linings and VIP products.
Seating manufacturer, Recaro won with a long-haul
seat that makes economy class travel more comfortable.
The key to the winning design is a combination of three
comfort elements that enable better body posture,
ease of changing sleeping positions, and a reduction of
pressure points. The first feature is the Abrazo headrest,
which gives additional side support to the head, while
the upper legs and parts of the lower legs can be
supported by the Extended Seat Bottom option, which
increases the size of the seating surface and reduces
pressure points, while the Flip Cushion helps to
support the lower lumbar area in a cradle
or sleeping position.
RUNNERS UP
Clément Heinen of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands
collaborated with Safran to create the Stratus seat design, which is
intended to bring the comforts of the office to the business class
cabin, enabling passengers to make the best use of their flight
time. The activity-based environment includes a docking station
for connecting personal devices and two distinct positions with
adaptive table and screen positions: standing and zero gravity.
Meanwhile, Joseph Lane from the University of Cincinnati
developed an innovative approach to on-board catering. With
the SkyDining app, business class passengers can choose meals
from their favourite airport restaurants in place of the standard
meal options, using a smartphone app. The meal is delivered
to the airport at the gate and served hot during the flight in an
environmentally friendly cardboard box. The box is designed to work
with another part of the catering concept: a galley cart redesign
made up of compartments for meal storage, each with advanced
heating and cooling technology.
4
5
WINNER: HONGIK
UNIVERSITY, SOUTH KOREA
This category is a fantastic opportunity for college
and university students to present their visions for
innovative aircraft interior products and concepts. Ideas
should reflect the idea of making flying more comfortable
or ecological. Students in this category may benefit from
gaining important contacts within the industry who can
help develop their future career.
Finalists in this category came from students all over
the world. The winner is Sahngseok Lee from Hongik
University in South Korea, who has designed the ‘1 For
All’ concept in collaboration with seating manufacturer,
Adient Aerospace. The cabin concept interweaves the
various seat classes to achieve the maximum possible
use of space. Premium and economy passengers may
find themselves next to one another or even above or
below one another — alone or within compartments.
CRYSTA L C A BIN AWARDS
ABOVE LEFT: THE ABRAZO
HEADREST ENHANCES
SLEEPING COMFORT IN RECARO’S
ECONOMY CLASS SEATS
LEFT: SAHNGSEOK LEE’S
‘1 FOR ALL’ CONCEPT
USES VERTICAL SPACE TO
MAXIMISE EFFICIENCY