Sweet sustainable seating

FACC has unveiled designs for a new, more sustainable aircraft interior.

The Bios Future Cabin, shown at this week’s AIX Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, focuses on the needs of passengers and the use of sustainable materials. The company has opted for a resin derived from sugar cane, which has been optimised for use in aviation through intensive research work.

"When redesigning the aircraft interior, we paid particular attention to making efficient use of the available space," explains CEO Robert Machtlinger. The result is 20% more room to move and 50% more storage space compared to current-generation aircraft. This was made possible by a design approach that integrates seamlessly with the load-bearing elements of the aircraft.

In addition, large screens and intelligent surfaces offer a multimedia experience: the entire backrest of the seat is transformed into a screen that can be connected to the passenger's own device, if so desired, and can also play smartphone apps from third-party providers. Via a dedicated control centre, each passenger can adjust the ventilation or individually configure design elements.

Ultra-light materials made from renewable resources will drastically reduce the aircraft's CO2 emissions. The new lightweight material derived from sugar cane has been developed following many years of research. The properties of this material make it well-suited for use in aviation. Its surface is not only extremely robust, but also resistant to heat and chemicals.

A 100% wheelchair-accessible cabin and a disability-friendly lavatory also set new standards with respect to barrier-free flying.

“In terms of accessibility, there is, quite literally, still a lot of room for improvement in aviation," commented Nico Langmann (world top 20 in wheelchair tennis). “Currently, not only the processes themselves, but also cabin designs are not always suitable for wheelchairs, which is why this new design is very promising.”

Additionally, a novel air curtain ensures that air is circulated within smaller cabin sections. With this innovation, FACC says it will contribute to the safety of passengers by making aviation even more resistant to viruses and bacteria in the future.

www.facc.com/en