Crystal Cabin Award - international award for excellence in aircraft interior innovation // Let your ideas take off. //

The fact that some ideas go well beyond the classical passenger zone is demonstrated by the winner in the “Cabin Concepts” category: Winning the day with its “Lower Deck Pax Experience” modules, Airbus created flexible compartments for the area of airliners conventionally used for cargo. In no time at all, beds, lounges and play areas can be created where, until now, suitcases have been stored.

Leading the way in the "Cabin Systems" category, Collins Aerospace is showing how to best exploit unused space for passenger service. The “Flex Duet” kiosk can simply be folded out in front of the aircraft door during cruising flight.

Air New Zealand's "Skycouch" has been on the market for some years already, allowing a complete Economy seating row to be transformed into a bed surface. Special safety belts in the winning concept now mean that even babies and infants can lie safely on the folding bed.

Pioneering a new state-of-the-art, feature-rich, embedded inflight entertainment (IFE) seatback system, United has proactively introduced the world’s most extensive suite of accessibility features providing a fulsome entertainment experience for all passengers to help accommodate any level of visual acuity as well as hearing and mobility-challenged passengers.

Let there be light: the "uLED Reading Light" from Collins Aerospace took the honours in the "Material & Components" category. It can project almost any shape of light beam imaginable, providing targeted light for reading at several seats at the same time.

German seat manufacturer RECARO prevailed with a long-haul seat that makes Economy Class travel more pleasant thanks to neck support and adjustable cushioning for the seat and backrest.

Sahngseok Lee from Hongik University in Korea took the prize with the “1 For All” concept, in collaboration with seating manufacturer Adient. Various seating classes are nested together in a tetris-like arrangement and connected by stairs, resulting in the best possible use of space.

The futuristic concept from winner Paperclip Design is simultaneously flexible and luxurious. The company’s “Peacock Suites” promise a variable configuration of First Class cabins as required, from family compartments with a bunk bed to a three-room luxury suite.