Crystal Cabin Awards take place in Hamburg

Guests of honour at the Crystal Cabin Award ceremony were Hamburg’s Governing Mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher, along with the Federal German Government’s Coordinator of Aerospace Policy, Thomas Jarzombek.

A panel discussion at the event was made up of Sir Tim Clark, President and CEO of Emirates Airline, Juha Jarvinen, Executive Vice President Commercial at Virgin Atlantic, and model and frequent flyer Toni Garrn, talked about future passenger comfort.

"With Airbus, Lufthansa Technik and Hamburg Airport as well as many suppliers and research facilities, Hamburg is one of the largest and most important locations for civil aviation worldwide. The idea for the Crystal Cabin Award was born 13 years ago in our city. The competition honours intelligent and forward-looking innovation in cabin interiors and thus promotes comfort and technological progress in aviation," says Hamburg's First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher.

The innovations honoured with Crystal Cabin Award trophies on the evening give an insight into how aircraft cabins could soon be equipped.

In the ‘Passenger Comfort Hardware’ category, German seat manufacturer RECARO won with a long-haul seat that makes Economy Class travel more pleasant thanks to neck support and adjustable cushioning for the seat and backrest.

The focus then turned to efficiency, with Collins Aerospace leading the way in the “Cabin Systems” category, showing how to best exploit unused space for passenger service. The “Flex Duet” kiosk can simply be folded out in front of the aircraft door during cruising flight.

Air New Zealand won the “Greener Cabin, Health, Safety and Environment” category.

The airline’s “Skycouch” has been on the market for some years already, allowing a complete Economy seating row to be transformed into a bed surface. Special safety belts in the winning concept now mean that even babies and infants can lie safely on the folding bed.

“In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity” is a major growth area at the Aircraft Interiors Expo. In-flight entertainment systems are increasingly adapting to passenger usage patterns. But what if a passenger is visually impaired or has restricted movement? United Airlines provided the jury with a persuasive argument, ‘Entertainment for All’. Larger displays and voice recognition make the in-flight entertainment system accessible.

The ‘uLED Reading Light’ from multiple prize winner Collins Aerospace won in the ‘Material & Components’ category. It can project almost any shape of light beam imaginable, providing targeted light for reading at several seats at the same time.

The “Visionary Concepts” category, presented by Professor Peter Vink from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), also looked to the future. The futuristic concept from winner Paperclip Design is simultaneously flexible and luxurious. The company’s “Peacock Suites” promise a variable configuration of First Class cabins as required, from family compartments with a bunk bed to a three-room luxury suite.