RedCabin, the organiser of worldwide global travel summits for the aviation, rail and automotive sectors, has announced the finalists in its inaugural awards programme. The awards – the RedCabin Trinity Awards – will take place at the Aircraft Cabin Innovation Summit in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas on 13th June. And there are more than just trophies to compete for: RedCabin will provide the winners with the opportunity to collaborate with an airline on their winning innovation, and to help bolster its business case.
Last month, the jury of industry experts released its shortlist of 21 entries. Following further discussions and elimination, , the names of the finalists across the eight awards categories have now been released.
Passenger Experience Concepts
The finalists in the passenger experience category include the ‘Air 4 All’ from Delta Flight Products (partners include PriestmanGoode, Flying Disabled and SWS Certification) that eliminates the need for people with disabilities to transfer from their own wheelchair into an airline seat. The design enables powered wheelchair users to remain in their own chair for the entire journey, enhancing comfort and dignity, and reducing the risk of chairs being damaged during air travel.
Another finalist is Euphony from Safran (in partnership with Devialet), an audio system that incorporates speakers inside the headrest, providing directed audio to the passenger’s ears without headphones – but without disturbing other passengers in the cabin.
The final concept is the ‘eSmart Lavatory’ from Diehl Aviation, which includes touchless controls for a hygienic environment. An innovative smart mirror transforms the space into an interactive centre that displays digital content, while a time management system allows time slots to be booked in the lavatory via smartphone.
Sustainability Concepts
Weight reductions are an obvious win for sustainable cabin designs, and lightweight seating is a competitive sector. A super-lightweight finalist is the ‘Ti-seat 2’ from Expliseat SAS.
The seat is up against the ‘Ultra Slim Low Carbon Seat’ concept from DOY Design Limited, a circular economy seat concept designed to reduce embedded carbon by 70% and deliver an average PAX weight of 6.6kg. The design has been developed with partners include Sabeti Wain Aerospace, Impression Technologies, Aircraft Interior Recycling Associates (AIRA), Gen Phoenix and Gränges Konin).
The third finalist is a little different, being the ‘Sustainable panel for cabin interior’ from Diab Group (partners include Applus+ Rescoll and Akzo Nobel). This sustainable lightweight panel for cabin interiors combines the advantages of Diab’s structural foam core Divinycell F and thermoplastic organosheets. Using only materials already used and qualified by aerospace OEMs, the panel is fully compliant with all industry requirements. Diab has demonstrated the recyclability potential of such a panel, which already includes recycled content from Diab’s production waste and is consequently 100% waste-free.
Cabin Service Concepts
The ‘Jump Seat Duo’ from J&C Aero concept has made it through to the final. This seat serves as both a cabin attendant seat (CAS) and an onboard wheelchair for passengers with reduced mobility. The design utilises existing attachment points on monuments, for a hassle-free upgrade process. J&C Aero says the product is 16G compliant and specifically tailored for narrow-body aircraft.
Furthermore, the ‘Door 2.0 – The Zen Door’ from Unum Aircraft Seating (in partnership with MGR Foamtex) is a lightweight, easy-to-certify, next-generation privacy door for business-class seating, drawing design inspiration from the art of origami. The team has developed a patented business-class door design that is simple in design, and therefore lightweight, as well as easy to certify.
Blending cabin interiors with technology, the ‘Clear Cabin’ from ACLA Studio (in partnership with Boeing Encore Interiors) is a class divider with an integrated 33in transparent OLED screen. The incorporation of a digital screen transforms the once mundane divider into a valuable asset, which can show passengers real-time flight information, enticing food and beverage options, and seamless navigation to connecting flights.
The road to the final
The inaugural RedCabin Trinity Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Aircraft Cabin Innovation Summit in Dallas in Dallas, USA on June 13 2024. The award trophies have been designed by innovation pioneer Teague and produced by The Aviation AM Centre GmbH. The awards are sponsored by Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Sekisui Kydex.
Founder and CEO of RedCabin, Monica Wick commented: “With the countdown on to our summit and the first Trinity Awards ceremony, we can’t wait to present the first winners of the Trinity Awards in Dallas with their trophies and to celebrate their innovations together”.
