The Crystal Cabin Award, the world’s leading accolade for innovations in aircraft cabins, has opened the application phase for the 2025 awards, and there are some interesting new developments. Most notably, while innovations that benefit passenger accessibility have always been of great interest to the judging panel, and indeed several such entries have been scored highly, a dedicated category for accessibility innovations is being introduced for the 2025 event. The 2025 event also sees the merger of the Cabin Systems and Material & Components categories into the new Cabin Technologies category.
An international judging panel, consisting of 28 industry experts, will undertake a multi-stage selection process, first assessing the applications and then determining the finalists. After a final in-person round of judging, the winners will be announced on 8th April 8, 2025, during Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. Companies, institutions and students have until 23rd October, 2024 to submit their applications for the Crystal Cabin Award. Applications can now be submitted at www.application.crystal-cabin-award.com.
The 8 Crystal Cabin Award categories:
Accessibility (new)
This category covers innovations that improve accessibility within the aircraft cabin, providing an inclusive and comfortable experience for all passengers, including those with disabilities or reduced mobility. Submissions can include improvements in seats, lavatories, cabin layouts, assistive technologies, or other design elements that remove barriers to access and facilitate their use. The focus is on solutions that seamlessly integrate into the cabin environment while improving accessibility and the overall passenger experience.
Cabin Concepts
This category rewards holistic aircraft cabin concepts. In addition to cabin designs already flying in aircraft, in cabins on the verge of market readiness, visionary future ideas are also considered in this category. The Cabin Concepts category is aimed at manufacturers as well as design firms and airlines.
Cabin Technologies
Key areas for the Cabin Technologies category include new materials, new material applications, or new material combinations created specifically for aircraft cabin systems, to reduce production costs, improve usability, and enhance recyclability. From innovative seating structures, to efficient galleys, to sustainable waste and drinking water systems – this category covers a wide spectrum of forward-looking aircraft components that revolutionise the travel experience.
Any innovative technical component, material, or product that offers significant benefits to airlines can be submitted for consideration. However, this category does not include mature products such as seats, digital systems such as ‘intelligent cabins’ (see IFEC and Digital Services), or solutions specifically aimed at passenger comfort (see Passenger Comfort).
Health & Safety
This category recognises innovative cabin-related solutions that enhance safety, health, and well-being on board – whether for passengers, crew or cargo. The panel is looking for groundbreaking concepts that make flying safer and more hygienic.
IFEC & Digital Services
In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) is one of the fastest developing areas in the aviation industry, and entries in this category must demonstrate technological superiority over competing products. Potential entries can include in-flight entertainment (IFE) solutions, connectivity equipment such as antennas and wi-fi, passenger apps, or complete software solutions for a smart, connected cabin.
Passenger Comfort
Entries in this category must be shown to demonstrate an improvement in passenger comfort in the cabin. An innovation that is of general benefit to a large group of people may receive a higher rating due to its greater effectiveness for the airline’s success. This category can include a wide range of comfort elements, including seats, toilets, storage compartments, partitions, lighting solutions, trim panels, premium, business and first-class products, VIP products, and more.
Sustainable Cabin
The aviation industry’ greatest challenge is in becoming emission-free in just three decades. This ambitious vision requires revolutionary innovations in all areas – from cabin technology to the passenger experience. Travellers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious and are demanding sustainable solutions. Airlines must act to remain competitive. With the Sustainable Cabin category, the Crystal Cabin Award seeks groundbreaking ideas that demonstrably and significantly reduce the ecological impact of aviation.
University
The University category gives students the chance to present their forward-looking products and ideas for the aircraft cabin. As well as gaining worldwide exposure for their work, students in this category can make important contacts within the industry. Concepts submitted in the University category should make flying more comfortable, smarter, or more ecological.
The application form and conditions of entry, an overview of the 2024 winners and a more detailed explanation of all Crystal Cabin Award categories can be found online at www.crystal-cabin-award.com. The application period runs until 23rd October, 2024.
Participants who submit their application by 4th October, 2024, are entitled to a reduced entry fee of 280 Euros (plus 19% VAT for EU submissions). After that, the entry fee will be 380 Euros (plus 19% VAT for EU submissions), as in the previous year. Students applying in the University category are, of course, exempt from all entry fees.
