by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:00 PM ET, Fri April 5, 2019
Aerospace companies are continually trying to improve the passenger experience when it comes to commercial flying.
From more comfort in the cabin to increased cabin amenities, the aerospace industry is well aware of what passengers are complaining and bragging about on social media.
This year at the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, which is billed as the biggest showcase for innovation, exhibitors presented everything from new seats and lights to in-flight entertainment systems and creative layout concepts, according to Bloomberg.
Yet another noteworthy trend revealed by the expo was an increased use of the data that is generated in the cabin in order to create a more customized passenger experience.
Here are some of the major offerings that were presented at this year's Expo, as identified by Bloomberg.
Creating a Homey Feeling
Though it may be a small detail to travelers, Lantal Textiles an aircraft fabric manufacturer, presented cabin curtains that are more plush, featuring a three-dimensional weave. Another exhibitor, Lonseal Inc, offered up flooring that looks like real wood, even including the grainy details of wood.
Reading lights are also being targeted for innovation. Collins Aerospace presented a reading lamp that can be adjusted from a large spot to a small target, with full-color options.
Increased Comfort
While economy class seating has remained largely uncomfortable year after year, Recaro Holding CmbH is aiming to change that.
The company presented a redesign of its CL3710 back-of-the-cabin seat for long-distance routes. The seat offers long overdue sleeping aids such as wrap-around head support and a retractable ledge to extend the seat and provide more thigh support.
Meanwhile, for more well-heeled travelers, Airbus is working on a new seat layout called the settee corner, which combines a single-person seat with a bench design that can be used for meetings during flight or even to lie down for a nap.
Cabins that Smell Better (At Least in Business Class)
Panasonic Avionics Corp. has created an air-deodorizing system for the cabin designed to purify the area around a business passenger's seat. The offering relies on nano-sized electrostatic atomized particles to neutralize air and battle viruses and bacteria.
Smart Bins
Who doesn't hate the process of getting settled on a plane and waiting for fellow passengers to put their carry-on in the overhead bins?
Airbus and Boeing are both focused on designing bigger bins. Airbus, in particular, wants to make the bins smarter, using sensors that track if a locker is in use as well as the weight of the loaded luggage, providing data to the airline about occupancy rates, according to Bloomberg.
Airbus also hopes to eventually give passengers the option of booking their own bin space. Though just how popular that will be among travelers, remains to be seen. Let's hope it's not another item that the airlines seek to monetize.
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