DIEHL Aerospace, B/E Aerospace, Schott, ZIM Flugsitz, Lufthansa Technik, Paperclip Design, and Delft Technical University were all winners at the 2014 Crystal Cabin Awards.
In the “Greener Cabin, Health, Safety & Environment” category, the top prize was presented to DIEHL Aerospace. The German cabin-fitting specialist presented DACAPO, a power-saving, self-sufficient cabin system using rechargeable and replaceable energy trolleys. The trolleys can simply be swapped and the fuel cell systems refueled during aircraft ground time.
The trophy for “Industrial Design & Visionary Concepts” was awarded to B/E Aerospace and Teague. The collaboration produced an Advanced Lavatory, in a particularly slim line toilet module, which allows for six additional seats to be integrated into an aircraft without sacrificing space or comfort within the toilet cabin, and without restricting the space for passengers in other seating rows.
German glass manufacturer Schott was victorious in the “Material & Components” category. Schott has produced an innovative lightweight glass structure for cabin windows, made out of glass composites with a foil coating. The new structure is not only more robust and easier to clean than conventional window plastic; it also allows for significantly larger cabin windowpanes to be used, whilst being 40% lighter than conventional windows.
The trophy for the “Passenger Comfort Hardware” went to ZIM Flugsitz for its short-haul and medium-haul EC-00 seat. Featuring a new, patented backrest concept, it includes a new folding table structure, a new backrest itself, and an innovative connection between the backrest surface and the upholstery to make cleaning easier.
The Crystal Cabin Award for the “Passenger Comfort Systems” category was awarded to Lufthansa Technik for its acWAP high-speed WLAN router. The device is capable of supporting data-intensive applications, such as video streaming and online games throughout the cabin. The new system will already enter into operation this summer on board 20 Lufthansa Airbus A321 aircraft.
Paperclip Design from Hong Kong won the “Premium Class & VIP” category. Its winning Convertible Long Haul Seat Concept is a seating area that can be quickly converted from Premium Economy to a Full-Flat Business Option. The concept aims to allow airlines to adapt the allocation of Business and Economy seats on a long-haul flight, based on load factors.
TU Delft won the “University” category, with its “Sense the Transitions” concept. Students from the university showcased an innovative in-flight entertainment concept where videos are projected onto the backrest of the seat in front, relaying information about the culture, history and natural environment of the land area currently below the aircraft. Informative, interactive pop-up menus.