A clear trend towards more personalised, comfortable, sustainable and functional cabins is emerging this year. Cathay Pacific's “Aria Suite”, for instance, allows passengers to control lighting, seating position and crew communications in a synchronised system. Integrated technology is also set to improve cabin functionality, as seen in UNIO by Design Investment and Healthy Motion Seating from Comfort Motion Global (CMG) and Thompson Aero Seating. UNIO is designed like a desk lamp and consolidates several Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) thereby simplifying seat manufacturing and maintenance.
Many of the entries in the “Sustainable Cabin” category focus on recycling and resource conservation, as well as waste reduction and energy efficient technologies. Krüger Aviation's innovative recycled polycarbonate, developed in collaboration with Green Mobility Interior and Airbus, is made entirely from production waste. Recycled materials are also being used in textiles and surfaces such as the Mohawk Group's EcoFlex InFlight" carpet system. Meanwhile, Boeing, Adient Aerospace, Botany Weaving and LanzaTech are developing seating fabrics made from CO2 waste.
