AIM Altitude has created concept front-row monuments (FRMs) to showcase its abilities in the design, engineering and manufacture of customized aircraft cabin furniture, with a platform approach applied to provide seamless integration with seating. The colors, materials and finishes have been enhanced, and additional features incorporated to improve passenger comfort, airline efficiency, and brand differentiation.
The design allows the lower half of the units to remain the same, with three different upper-half arrangements, demonstrating the flexibility of the FRMs. The configurations include a full-height closet, an under-bin closet with branding panel, and a half-height closet with provision for a baby bassinet.
AIM Altitude worked on the FRMs in collaboration with Thompson Aero Seating, a partnership that has become even closer now that the two companies are both owned by AVIC. The central units have been designed to meet the standard width for the Vantage XL business class seating platform, while the outboard units have a wider footwell area. The footwells themselves have acoustic linings that can be removed quickly, with new trims and finishes including soft raised patterns that can be matched to the 3D laminate design on the vertical surfaces. A branding panel has also been incorporated into the central unit, displaying new lighting and cutting techniques for razor-sharp definition.
The prototype also demonstrates storage options and incorporates new technology. Each FRM has laptop storage in a ‘glove-box’ option and a deployable tablet stand, so that personal content can be viewed in normal seat mode or in sleep mode. Coat hooks, literature holders, and personal lockers all add to the options.
Platform approach
The platform is essentially an internal frame or ‘skeleton’, which remains the same for each installation. The external elements of the FRM are bespoke, and customized to reflect the brand and specific requirements of airline customers.
The platform has been created to work with AIM Altitude’s FRMs and Thompson Aero Seating’s Vantage and Vantage XL seat range. The seamless transition provides styling and aesthetic cohesion, and minimizes certification challenges. Working from a standard platform also helps to simplify the design stage and also reduces manufacturing lead times.
