While tourist-class airlines want to reduce costs at all costs and entertainment is increasingly concerned with the place of comfort, the concept of the big companies first class exclusive Asian reappears in Europe. Is the design of A-380
Thousands of people travel every day by air and most of those who do in economy class will have noticed that the spaces and seats increasingly resemble the old line coach. A few, either by luck and overbooking or the generosity of your company, test the comfort of business class. But there is another reality, unknown to the public and accessible to privileged few, who have enough money to afford a pleasant ride on a super-class mini-suite. Just one example, the price of a business class ticket is on average four times more expensive.
The expert companies in these kinds of luxury are the Asian (Singapore Airlines) and the Middle East (Emirates), the first to create the idea of mini-suite, areas designed for executives and diplomats, as well as need to rest between meetings, want exclusivity and privacy for your affairs. In Europe is much less frequent this luxury, in fact, the only two companies that offer these places are British Airways and Air France, on their long journeys. For the less affluent pockets but gourmets, middle notes have appeared as Premium Economy, for anyone interested in a little more comfortable in economy without paying the same as in business. Ideas like the "full flat" or seat capacity to become fully horizontal supplements are essential to this class.
Airbus offers since 2006 a first class design for your new jewel, the A-380. Companies selected to decorate the interior have been the Swiss Spanish Design Investment and Mormedi. The creative should "seize the opportunity after the stairs to the upper floor," says Jaime Moreno Mormedi project officer. This space is created 6 mini-suites, with almost 4 m2 and 2.4 m in height for each passenger, with room for luggage compartment for shoes, a light system environment that allows five different combinations of light and a TV screen 19 inches for each passenger.
The big difference and the qualitative leap compared to other concepts in addition to the privacy and exclusivity, is that the seat and the bed are independent. "Here you have both. It's more comfortable because it allows the seat is ergonomically designed, "says Moreno. For now, it is installed in the statement of samples Toulusse owns Airbus (France), hoping that someone decides to install on their devices.
comfort / entertainment
The concern for design is essential for airlines to outsource their models or choose from the catalogs of manufacturers of aircraft companies. "Good design can facilitate assembly and reduce the number of components, saving costs," added Moreno. Typically, each seek unique solutions.
The exacting standards and the variety of products from booths mobilize hundreds of companies as varied than once a year present their latest design fairs. The last, held in Long Beach (California), has just closed its doors and has given space for everything from equipment for snacks that include conventional ovens, microwave, coffee machines or bins for trash, to television screens in high definition, with ability to watch Blu-ray or playing Play Station 3, flame retardant fabrics in different colors, and even seat belts with air bag or seat striking and reduced "Skyrider".
During the presentation the Airbus vice president for innovation, Ingo Wuggetzer, said that in the last thirty years, the percentage of women travelers has exceeded 50 percent of airline passengers and therefore must be taken into account female tastes when it comes to design.
The class differences are evident (in tourist reduce premium costs, sacrificing comfort for entertainment), although the conditions and international standards impose certain trends. "The cab usually use 60 percent of the total height of the aircraft. Now it makes better use of the rack, placing them higher for the feeling of space is greater, "said Francisco Larios Martin, an aeronautical engineer of the Committee on Changes in the company Aries Complex (Aciturri group).
The different angle turns and requires that nothing can be loose or detached. Materials and articles must be resilient, which in aeronautical terms mean you should be able to withstand the force of an acceleration equivalent to 9-10 G. The weight distribution should be well calculated "you can not put much weight in certain areas, would be reinforced," Larios details. It is also sought in case of fire, the furniture does not cause smoke in the cabin and did not pledge quickly.
Sustainability is a concern that is no stranger to the interior, the materials such as fiberglass lighten the total weight of the aircraft and thus reduce consumption. As for the lighting, the use of LEDs has been imposed not only by saving energy and strength, also because it can adapt to light during the day.
Saddles for economy class
Perhaps the first step to standing tickets or just a prototype that will not get international certification, but since it appeared in the Long Beach Fair has caused a media revolution. Inspired by the chairs of the cowboys, the Italian firm offers a seat Aviointeriors small size, which leaves from row to row only 58.42 inches, for possible installation on trips of one to three hours. Not to mention the space for carry-on bag and a coat hanger.
For now, the company said they have no contract, but several low-cost airlines have expressed interest in increasing passengers and profits.
