Airbus’s New Sleek & Sustainable Aircraft Cabin
Published 13 June 2023
Globally, 82% of millennials and Gen Zers are interested in going on a holiday with minimal environmental impact this year (CNBC, 2023). Aircraft designers and manufacturers must therefore boost their sustainability credentials to appeal to those increasingly turning to flight-free travel. A key example is French plane maker Airbus’s new cabin concept, Airspace Cabin Vision 2035+.
Walking the line between luxury and sustainability, the cabin’s design features expansive windows and a striking see-through ceiling that allows passengers to gaze into the sky above. Its comfortable interiors will be created using less carbon-intensive materials like biobased fabrics and recycled polymers, which will be recycled, reused and repaired during their life cycle.
Research shows that 10-20% of an aircraft’s overall environmental impact is caused by its cabin. Airbus’s lightweight design incorporates bionics and 3D printing technology, slashing the cabin’s weight by up to 40% and reducing fuel use. Additionally, its new dining concept – which includes pre-ordering meals or collecting snacks at the boarding gate – may eliminate the need for a galley on short-haul flights, and will help reduce food waste and weight by up to 15%. Meanwhile, a mobile travel companion app will reassure eco-conscious travellers by offering ways to offset their own carbon emissions.
The aircraft manufacturer has partnered with 10 major airlines, including Lufthansa (Germany) and Delta (US), as well as eight technology companies, to bring this cabin design to fruition.
