Class Concepts: Light Lounge and Vitalizing Zone
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New ideas from Teague, Zodiac Aerospace, Airbus, Virgin and more are leaving traditional cabin configurations in the dust. In “Class Concepts,” a multi-part feature originally published in the March/April issue of APEX Experience magazine, APEX Media examines this new wave of concepts that promises a total overhaul of aircraft interiors. Read the full feature here.
Light Lounge
Desire Lines, the poetic name used for the cabin concept unveiled by Zodiac Aerospace last year, is a phrase borrowed from urban architects, which describes planning around the paths and movements people are naturally inclined to choose. As Zodiac set out to understand the preferred paths of passengers, it came as no surprise that people want to be where the light is.
“We think that it’s something that naturally the passenger would desire, because window space is very valuable,” explains Victor Carlioz, advanced concept engineer and Desire Lines project lead. In Zodiac’s concept cabin, a divider creates a corridor along the interior that allows passengers to walk along, lounge in and enjoy the sky-high view. “I think this brings in some inspiration from train travel,” Carlioz adds.
In addition to providing an absorbing view, a light lounge contributes to passenger well-being. “The three things that reset your circadian clock are temperature, food and the light you receive,” explains Deborah Burnett, a health and wellness design authority who has consulted for airframers such as Boeing. “Light is the most important factor, because it not only helps with jet lag, it also helps you rest your circadian system.”
Aglow with rejuvenated and contented passengers, the lounge could also boost an airline’s ancillary revenue by offering self-service snack and beverage stations. “It can really enhance boarding, too,” says Tom Eaton, Zodiac’s team manager, advanced concepts. “Through a dedicated corridor, you start to streamline the boarding of people onto the aircraft.”
Vitalizing Zone
Propelled by the anticipation of more elderly and female business travelers by the year 2050, Airbus’ Concept Cabin features a health- and relaxation-conscious Vitalizing Zone, which delivers comfort and openness to the flight experience as never before conceived. An observation deck with a bionic membrane offers panoramic views of the skies; holographic shades draw on hand gestures to control the amount of light and air let in. “If you’re feeling tired or dehydrated, it can bring water or ionization into the air to make you feel better,” said Ian Scoley, head of Industrial Design at Airbus. Seats even grow and conform to the shapes of passengers’ bodies, with smart technology offering massages, a drink or vitamins as required by individuals. “It’s no longer just a transportation [medium] to get you from A to B,” Scoley said. “It’s a lot more about the experience and the productivity and well-being of how you use your transportation system. And we’re aiming for a cabin that makes you feel healthy when you get off it.”