Page 28 - AAA MARCH-APRIL 2012 Online Magazine

FEATURE INTERIORS

The “Armonia” cabin of passengers’ sense of space and control,” and passenger activity (boarding, day, night,
the new ATR -600 series he says. While of course still satisfying dinner, cruise) to help to reduce the feeling
aircraft, by Italian the airlines need to generate revenue, of jet lag.
designer Giugiaro, offers he adds. But controlling lights and programming
real luxury for regional With its pioneering light engineering your own daylight doesn’t help with the
travellers
in the 787 - ‘ambience’ offered by the snoring neighbour. Only more space can
latest styles of LED lighting, auto- do that – and Bombardier understands.
shade windows and so on - Boeing is “In our five-abreast seat arrangement,
moving towards what Wilcynski calls we (make) our middle seat one inch
“vital elements in communicating first larger than the biggest seat available in
and lasting impressions of the overall single-aisle aircraft today,” and this, says
interior design.” He says all these Cherry, along with visual access to one
factors help convey a welcoming feeling, and a half large windows per passenger,
the degree of personal control and help gives an increased feeling of space. “And
in smoothing out time transitions across the windows are positioned at eye level,
time zones. allowing for a more natural line of sight,”
Airbus is likewise looking to move he adds.
away from the “cattle class” criticisms As for the noise – not just from
iPad Mania with much more control over personal the neighbour – the technicians and
Airbus offers WiFi, SMS, voice, space and environment. The A350 XWB designers are making definite progress
and GPRS services, email and
websurfing so passengers features 100% LED based cabin lighting in this area too. As Hrnkova notes, noise
can use laptops, tablets and as standard, says Hrnkova. “Airlines can in the cabin is a very important driver of
smartphones inflight. ATR customise the lighting scenarios they offer comfort, with excess background noise
says for short haul routes, it is to their passengers, cabin class by cabin known to promote stress. She notes that
unlikely to offer these services, class, by playing with colour, intensity, even the A300 family use a new kind of cabin
and Bombardier offer Wi-Fi “movement” of the light,” she says. This lining to cut overall noise, as “along with
connectivity, and mobile phone allows a virtual sunlight to “rise” from the physical space, and right lighting, low
access. Boeing says it is looking forward left hand side of the cabin towards noise is an essential ingredient for a
at all future options.
the aft right hand side. This, she says, can comfortable travel experience.”
be programmed to match the flight phase Using 6-blade turboprops – and
28 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MARCH / APRIL 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM