Page 10 - Aircraft Interiors India -April-may 2024-fn

COVER STORY

constellations, via a choice staggered (parallel to the efficiency: Typical required, GAINs are usu-
of network providers. By aisle). economy class in A350s ally unchanged during a
contrast, previous connectiv- • Premium Economy is the standard nine- cabin retrofit.
ity offers were only provided Class gaining popular- abreast with an efficient • Passenger comfort
as part of a bundle with IFE ity: Airlines are choosing pitch between 31 and 32 features: Optional pas-
and the BFE hardware, thus to retrofit premium econ- inches and seat width senger comfort features,
any change of the service omy (PYC) where it was of 18 inches. Airbus has such as light-restrictive
provider would require a not originally selected in also developed a more curtain headers, electri-
change of the hardware. line-fit. In the A350, PYC optimal 10-abreast cally dimmable windows
is typically accommo- configuration for the etc. are available for the
Examples of typical A350 dated in an eight-abreast latest versions of the A350 and would typically
& Widebody airliner layout, with a pitch of A350 being delivered be considered. A350
cabin retrofit trends around 38 inches (versus which feature a slightly Customers can also up-
From the operator perspec- nine-abreast and 31–32- wider wall-to-wall cross grade their customisable
tive, some general trends inch pitch for regular section. ‘mood’ lighting scenarios
and OEM cabin-related Economy class). • Lavatory trim & finish for passengers and/or
offerings for large airliner With lower ticket prices refresh is a ‘quick-win’ to convey new branding
cabin upgrades are observed compared with Business for maximising pas- etc., easily via software
across the industry. Some Class, PYC also reduces the senger perception, and updates.
examples are summarised associated CO² emissions thus airlines typically • The latest In-Flight En-
below: per passenger per square include it during their tertainment & Connec-
• Business Class de- metre – which are approxi- cabin upgrades. On the tivity (IFEC) technolo-
mand for more privacy mately half of those in Busi- A350 an option exists gies: The IFEC landscape
features: A current trend ness Class. to introduce a more and supply chain is
is the installation of Busi- A PYC cabin upgrade was floor-space efficient lava- constantly evolving and
ness Class seats or ‘mini- recently performed by Air- tory which Airbus calls airlines strive to offer the
suites’ with sliding doors. bus for ITA Airways, to har- “Smart Lav”. Its smaller latest IFEC technology
The A350 can offer monise the cabin experience footprint brings tangible convenience for their
these with four-abreast of the customer’s in-service layout benefits such as a passengers.
direct-aisle access, with A350s with that of its new seat-count increase.
arrangement in either A330neos. • Galley inserts (GAINs): Migrating from 2D design
herringbone, (angled • Economy Class – in- Apart from cleaning and processes to 3D Digital
relative to the aisle) or creasing floor space ‘wear & tear’ repairs as Mockup (DMU)

10 April / May 2024 www.aircraftinteriorstoday.com