FLUG REVUE June 2005: Aircraft Interiors in Hamburg a big success

June 2005

AIRCRAFT INTERIORS EXPO 2005

By Matthias Gründer

The Hamburg specialist trade show for everything that can be installed in an aircraft cabin has become a firm fixture in the calendar for exhibitors and trade visitors alike. Just what lengths the manufacturers of panelling, seats, galleys, toilets, floor coverings, lighting engineering, safety equipment and other accessories are prepared to go to win customers in the booming market is apparent from the fact that, compared with the same show two years ago, twice as many exhibitors from all over the world – a total of over 420 – were presenting in seven halls everything that is good and at times also expensive, that one must or can have if only one's wallet is fat enough.

Whereas it was Boeing which provided the sensations last year, with its mock-up sections of the Dreamliner in different configurations on a huge stand, this year the Americans did not have a stand at all and were only participating in the accompanying conference programme. On the other hand, in Hall 6 Airbus staged a spectacle that attracted visitors like flies, for here was a mock-up of the new megaliner, fully fitted with Business Class above and Economy below, and even if restrooms and toilets were missing, nevertheless it is only too clear from this model what the airlines will need to do to ensure that future aircraft are comfortable.

Particularly striking was the wide range of seats on show from different manufacturers – in every colour, shape and quality, from ultra-high-tech personal space and reclining seats for First Class through to groups of three seats for less affluent customers. But here too a steady transformation can be discerned, the new thinking being that the passenger should always have the feeling, even after a long flight, of having enjoyed an atmosphere of well-being on board that will be critical to his choice of airline for his next trip. For example, Recaro, one of the longest established manufacturers in this area, has developed a novel seating system for the Economy Class in the A380.

More room on long flights in “wooden class”

This features significantly enhanced legroom and the possibility of turning on to one's side to sleep. Combined with an “intelligent headrest” and a leg rest model, this will ensure that passengers of the megaliner arrive at their destinations fully recovered after the long-distance flight.

The Sell company, part of the Britax Premium Aircraft Interior Group, was presenting its design for an A380 galley, which, like those produced by numerous other manufacturers, looked very impressive, at least visually, to a non-expert. But the visual impression is only noticed by the passengers; to the cabin crew it is irrelevant. As far as the flight attendant is concerned, the overriding requirement is that a galley should be practical, offer a lot of storage space and function properly. Probably only the true specialists were qualified to test these requirements here, but among the numerous trade visitors this professional group was conspicuous by its absence, even though it is the cabin crew who will have to work with all the equipment in the future.

In the area of flight safety, Lufthansa Technik was exhibiting amongst other things the latest generation of Guideline, those strips of lights to which reference is always made during the safety briefing at the beginning of a flight and which are supposed to show the way to the emergency exits even in smoke and darkness. The non-electric guide system is now available in nine different colours and in half the size but with the same brightness, so that it can now blend in better with the colour of the floor coverings.

Finally, Textron Fastening was presenting the latest examples of electronic fastenings for cockpit instruments, panelling, galley modules and even seats which one can now remotely attach and release again at the touch of a button. Similar systems are now also available for the secure locking of luggage racks and even cockpit doors.

All in all, the overwhelming majority of exhibitors expressed their satisfaction with the business they had done in Hamburg, so one can probably assume that there will be further growth to report at the next Aircraft Interiors Expo. Until then, FLUG REVUE will provide detailed descriptions of many of the exhibits on these pages.

From FLUG REVUE 6/2005

Last updated 13 May 2005

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