It is easy to become jaded when thinking about innovation in the aircraft seating market, especially in the back half of the cabin. Products are optimized for airline profit over customer comfort. The general concepts and layout have not changed materially in years. But that doesn’t mean all creativity is lost.
The 2024 Crystal Cabin Awards offer up a collection of ideas from smaller players that are more than just shaving a few grams off the the structural weight. Whether that’s a good or bad thing remains to be seen in the market. Here are a few to keep an eye on.
What’s old is new again with the Ameco Fly-Buddy Hub. But don’t be fooled by the “lounge seating” idea; this is not the Southwest 737 classic of yore. The concept creates a “versatile social hub” at the rear of the cabin, accommodating six passengers sitting face to face.
Unlike the similar concept that flew with Southwest for so many years, Ameco’s iteration offers convertible seats/beds, folding tables, a roll-up screen, and smart dividers to increase the potential uses (and ancillary revenue opportunities) on board.
Weight may not be the only thing airlines look at when choosing a seat, but it is a major factor. The FAIRcraft ultralight seats from CompriseTec and BFGF Design Studios swap some structural components for strapping to reduce weight by 25%.
They also seem to remove the overhead bins, which is another way to cut cabin weight, though I’d imagine not all passengers will appreciate that aspect.
Avoiding that “swamp ass” feeling after a few hours on board generally comes down to the materials used in a seat cover. Coolseat developed a coiled metal cover to maintain spacing between your body and the seat, ensuring airflow for “sitting without sweating.”
And while it looks springy, the company promises it is a stable setup for passengers. Or taxi drivers, perhaps, if the aero market doesn’t work out.
Compared to these upstarts, the products nominated by the more traditional players are much more about incremental changes to the design.
Recaro‘s R Sphere submission is an exploration of recycling and upcycling opportunities, including reuse of old fishing nets to fill in the webbing for a seatback pocket. The company says more than 80% of the seat is developed from reused materials.
Safran‘s new Signature seat is a “pre-reclined” option for medium and long-haul cabins, aiming to shave weight while maintaining comfort.
Expect more details on this one to be release during Aircraft Interiors Expo in May.
And Acro‘s Series 9 is already in the market, with a couple customers secured for the light-weight solution.
Finalists for the 2024 Crystal Cabin Awards will be announced at the end of April 2024. Winners will be announced the following month, at the gala dinner ceremony in Hamburg on 28 May 2024.
More news from the 2024 Crystal Cabin Awards
- Back to basics: New business class seat designs vie for Crystal Cabin Award honors
- Upstarts get creative in economy class for 2024 Crystal Cabin Awards
- In search of sleep: innovation targets snoozers for 2024 Crystal Cabin Award
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