FUTUR E V I SION
IMMERSION TECHNOLOGY IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY WILL
EMPOWER PASSENGERS TO ENHANCE
THEIR SENSATION OF FLYING - OR
DISTRACT THEMSELVES FROM IT
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
ANNUAL SHOWCASE 2020 027
are keen to replicate the comfort they are used to at home
when travelling, without having to compromise on their
usual habits, preferences and luxuries.
Specifically looking at the IFE options consumers value
on airplanes, there is demand for the latest films, TV shows
and music, with HD quality. Seamless access to this content
is also imperative. Inflight wi-fi access and the ability to use
one’s own devices have both made it into the top three most
important entertainment features.
MODULAR SEATING
Modular seating options would go a long way toward truly
creating a sense of “being at home” for passengers, as the
space they are in would then be able to more seamlessly
adjust to their needs and preferred experience at any given
time. Gone would be the days of airplane journeys
restricting passengers to a limited range of activities.
Perhaps not surprisingly, no less than 84% of consumers
would be keen on an aircraft seat that can transform into
a sleeping area, but a range of other options appeal as well.
For example, 65% would like to see their seat being able to
A seat that can be
transformed into a
social area appeals to
46% of global
consumers
“Seamless access
to content is
imperative”
New technologies are increasingly
making it possible for passengers to be
transported into alternate, customisable
realities which can be dialled up or
down depending on the extent to which
someone wants to be immersed in the
“other” world, and whether they want to
escape or enhance their feeling of flying.
There is the possibility of turning
all surfaces of the cabin into digital
screens, which can display anything
from entertainment or information to
aesthetic or sensory visual features,
which can be tailored to each traveller’s
own preferences. As screens become
more intuitive, interactive and tactile,
technology assumes a more embedded
role in the passenger experience,
appearing only when needed and serving
specific needs as they arise.
An alternative application would be
a VR service that allows travellers to
immerse themselves in a world of their
own choosing, for some or even all of
the journey time. Today, immersive
worlds are already becoming a reality. By
2022, 75% of global consumers will have
already used or be interested in using
VR tools. But this story is not just about
headsets; it is also about augmenting
existing environments with rich layers
of digital information and engagement,
finely tuned to the immediate needs
and contexts of consumers. Immersive
platforms and interfaces will also assist
the interaction between consumers and
staff, helping deliver improved customer
satisfaction at scale.
Immersive technology can also
transform the cabin environment. For
example, dynamic surface technology
infused with immersive capabilities will
provide new opportunities to transform
onboard entertainment and the sensory
landscape of the cabin.
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com