PA XEX O PPORTUNITIES
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
036 JUNE 2020
A CREATIVE
OPPORTUNITY
NATHAN MATTHEWS, CREATIVE
LEAD, FORPEOPLE
“Airlines should view the current challenges as an opportunity
to tackle issues that passengers resent, but have come to expect. For
example, a more civilised approach to boarding and disembarking
an aircraft is long overdue - perhaps now is the time to solve this?
“In the short to medium term, airlines can expect to see a reduction
in load factors. This will coincide with passenger expectations,
and possible regulation, demanding more personal
space on board aircraft. Airlines should be
considering how they’ll utilise their aircraft
interiors to best meet these needs.”
BE REALISTIC
MATT ROUND, CHIEF
CREATIVE OFFICER, TANGERINE
“Pathogens contained in a single sneeze can travel
up to 45m at speeds of 200mph+ and the filters in closed
air-conditioning systems onboard aircraft are unlikely to filter
them sufficiently to eliminate the risk of transmission. Therefore, ideas
such as removing middle seats or increasing partitions around passengers
will prove ineffective in combating the spread of Covid-19. Even if the
economics of reduced seat count could stack up, which is unlikely,
it would not be possible to create, manufacture, certify
and install new seat layouts at the speed required to
tackle the current pandemic. Instead the rapid
introduction of PPE and increased hand
sanitisation for staff and passengers,
and regular sterilisation of
surfaces, will likely prove
more effective.”
“A fear of contamination will increase our
perception of personal space from 4ft to 6ft,
and shift passenger priorities from comfort and
PREMIUM
DR PHILIP DE WULF, CEO,
YELLOW WINDOW DESIGN
entertainment, to privacy and hygiene.
“Measures such as replacing fabrics with
smooth, cleanable surfaces will facilitate
regular and rigorous surface cleaning
ECONOMY ON
THE RISE
by passengers themselves, giving
them a sense of control over
MARTIN DARBYSHIRE, CEO, TANGERINE
CONTROL
PERSONAL
their personal space in
“Screening at airports before travel may become a routine part
of the customer journey from now on. Business downturn and the
SPACES
increased health risks of flying will reduce the demand for business class
cabins and force airlines to reassign cabin space, in particular to
premium economy.
“Operators will need to ensure that their onboard catering
convinces passengers that there is no risk of
transmission during food preparation. They
may see an increase in people opting
to BYOF (bring your own food) or
asking specifically for sealed
pre-prepared meals as
complimentary
services.”
COMMUNICATE FOR
CONFIDENCE
BIRTE JÜRGENSEN, DIRECTOR OF
STRATEGY & FINANCE, ZWEIGRAD
“The future interior design of the cabin must take
away passengers’ fear of infection and give
them confidence. Touchless interaction will
be an important hygiene issue and the
BYOD trend will revive. In terms of
confidence, communicating safety
through feedback such as ‘this
seat has just been disinfected’
or ‘this passenger is tested
and healthy’ is extremely
important.”
A HUGE
OPPORTUNITY
ANTHONY HARCUP, SENIOR
DIRECTOR OF AIRLINE EXPERIENCE,
TEAGUE
”Encouraging passengers to adopt a considerate, sanitary flying
etiquette is the most important initiative for airlines to address
in order to restore public confidence, and it’s also a huge
opportunity to innovate. This will redefine the airline
brand experience and will demand new approaches
to interiors as well as service. Helping airlines
define the right strategy to navigate
these new requirements and
passenger needs will be our
most important calling
as designers.” MACRO
NESTING
BEN ORSON, MANAGING
DIRECTOR, JPA DESIGN
“Passengers will take their own personal
protection into their own hands, much like
they already do with sleeping comfort by
using inflatable pillows. We will soon see
a market flooded with inflatable walls,
tents, and as much of a protective fort as
possible that a passenger can assemble
around them before take-off.”
the cabin.”
CMF PATTERN
CONSIDERATIONS
BEN SMALLEY, AVIATION
MARKET BUSINESS MANAGER,
SEKISUI KYDEX
“A renewed passenger focus on cabin sanitation
will demand materials that are chemical resistant,
antimicrobial, and will not be stained by harsh
cleaning agents. There will be emphasis on
patterns that mimic texture but are flat
and allow for ease of cleaning, as we have
with Kydex thermoplastics with Infused
Imaging technology.” A CLINICAL
APPROACH
JACQUES PIERREJEAN,
FOUNDER, PIERREJEAN VISION
“Airlines will have to take measures to effectively
and efficiently disinfect cabins (perhaps with
disposable paper seat covers) in between each
flight, and passengers will need to feel that they are
entering a clean and safe space when boarding an
aircraft, almost like a hospital environment.”
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com