What business class (and coach) suites might look like in 20 years

The seat lies flat. Direct access. Suites have private doors. Total on board “apartment.” It can be said that business class and first class have undergone an evolution.

Certainly, the entire cabin having seats that could be converted into sleepers was revolutionary for British Airways launched it in 2000. Now, that’s usually the minimum that travelers expect when flying ahead.

And airlines continue to push the envelope, from sliding doors like you’ll see at JetBlue Mint cabins (and increasingly on other airlines as well) to completely self-contained private suites like the stunning new first class seats on Japan Airlines’ New Airbus A350-1000.

However, let us look 15 or 20 years into the future. Which trendy new seat will be the ultimate redemption for your frequent flyer miles?

A recent trip to Europe provided some clues.

A new type of business class seat

Inside a large exhibition hall late last month in Hamburg, Germany, I witnessed two companies unveil what they see as future business-class product lines.

Located in a dimly lit room with the white noise of jet engines in the background, this futuristic capsule named “Maya” certainly has the basics you’d expect today in any luxury accommodation What: a private door, a modern bedroom. -Modern lie-flat seats and many storage compartments.

But this group also offers much more.

Companies claim that 45-inch curved screens offer a better movie-watching experience than a movie theater. And the entire entertainment system will sync with your phone.

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Sensors adjust the seat based on your body temperature and pressure – these are the features you hear about in ads for a premium mattress.

Doesn’t look like the setup On Japan Airlines’ new Airbus A350, headrest speakers will let you listen to movies or music without headphones. (But the Maya is also equipped with Bluetooth.)

You can multitask with the ultra-wide screen, watch 5K movies, and enter information about how much you want to sleep, eat, and drink so the system can adjust the timing of meals to your specific preferences. Friend.

Sounds like a seat you’d want to score points for The next big redemption? Don’t start transferring your points right away.

An idea is being worked on

For now, Maya is simply a prototype – an idea born from a collaboration between Panasonic and Collins Aerospace.

However, what is important is that these famous airline companies think that the business class will be headed in the coming years.

“This is really focused on millennials, Gen Zers — the people who are driving Teslas,” said Christophe Blanc, vice president and general manager of Collins’ seating business.

Will the Maya find its way onto commercial aircraft in the next few years? Depending on the airlines, they can easily say “No thank you” – or make adjustments.

But seeing the craftsmanship that went into creating this case is the whole reason I came to Germany: to sample the futuristic airplane cabins on offer every year at the Aircraft Interiors Expo, the enthusiast’s edition. The aviation mania of Willy Wonka’s factory – a factory filled with airplane seats, in-flight screens, bells, whistles and more imagination than anything found there the infamous failure of a Wonka attraction Last winter in Scotland.

And some of them may even be on the flight you’ll one day take.

Self-filling water bottling station

Twenty steps after leaving Maya business class, I came across another idea that is sure to be appreciated by travelers who love their Stanley or Yeti water bottles.

Do you know those airport stations with filtered water where you can refill your reusable bottle? Well, what if you could do it on a flight?

Check out the setup below.

Forget asking the flight attendant for a glass of water. Engineers at aerospace manufacturer Safran have demonstrated this prototype, which promises to deliver better-tasting (and perhaps cleaner) drinking water than the potable water options you’ll find online. commercial aircraft today.

Have read about two-tier chair, bunk bed style idea?

Launched last year, the concept aims to get more passengers on board by leveraging complete cabin – from floor to ceiling.

Now, the inventor behind it has returned with a high-end cabin project.

Chaise Longue is now introducing a new “advanced” class, featuring “first class” accommodations above and lie-flat “business” seats below.

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There is plenty of storage and space for screens and relaxation.

Whether the device makes it into real planes will depend on the interest it receives from airlines – not to mention major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus.

Are there any takers on the horizon? I wanted to ask the company founder, but he had to cut our conversation short. A representative from one of the above-mentioned aircraft manufacturers is waiting for the tour.

The land of seats, screens and innovation

Visit the exhibition and you’ll find it all: Robot-like devices. The seat covers were displayed as paint samples at Home Depot. Screens will soon appear on the seatbacks of the Air Canada fleet.

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And seating. Lots of seats – coach, premium economy, business class, you name it.

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Want to know what the Airbus A321XLR – a narrow-body airliner that can fly from parts of the US to Europe – will look like inside?

This is the general aesthetic.

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Of course, airlines can (and will) customize interiors according to their brand and preferences. American Airlines, for example, shows how the plan does it with the jet about to be delivered, there are the airline’s new Flagship Business suites. The aircraft, shared by American in Hamburg, will start by taking over the transcontinental routes currently operated by the luxurious four-cabin A321T.

Are you worried about the comfort of Southwest Airlines’ new seats? Early model caused some controversy.

I found them to be a lot more comfortable than the 3D rendering looked when sitting in them at the launch in Hamburg. They will use the new jet starting in 2025.

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The chair maker’s CEO told me in an interview that I was quite impressed with the chair’s lumbar support, which was a big focus.

“It’s more than just a flat backrest,” said Recaro CEO Mark Hiller. It really conforms to the S-curve of your spine.” “Southwestern has put a lot of effort into creating a really soft layer. I think the response will be very positive.”

Some of the concepts found in Hamburg may sound a bit odd, at least at first. Texas-based Starr Aircraft’s idea of ​​a seat cushion is very comfortable after tens of thousands of steps over three days.

One day, you may be finished sit on foam material which I learned is actually medical grade foam similar to the type found on Crocs.

“We hope to see this on an airline soon,” a company representative told me.

However, when walking around, there are many innovations that are not eccentric at all.

Airbus launches new A330neo cabin

For example, Airbus has revealed a new cabin design for its future Airbus A330neo wide-body jet.

The airline’s “Airspace” cabin model – like those on the upcoming A321XLR shown above – features soft mood lighting and spacious overhead bins, contributing to the atmosphere. which the Toulouse, France-based aircraft manufacturer calls a “unique atmosphere” that airlines can use as a starting point for customizing their cabins.

Airbus has received 42 orders for the A330neo in 2023 with 32 jets delivered, said Ingo Wuggetzer, vice president of carbon marketing.

He says this new design will be lighter in weight – which is key to fuel economy.

Additionally, Wuggetzer added, “there will be more amenities, more premium experiences in the future.”

Among the new features: larger, shade-free windows with a dimmable tint similar to what you’ll find on some other aircraft – including Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

Boeing’s place to stretch your legs in flight

Speaking of the Dreamliner, Boeing offers its own vision for innovation on the wide-body jet – an idea for the economy class cabin.

Dubbed the Perch, this in-flight space designed for the 787 is where customers can lean against a padded wall and take a few steps while flying. There is a large screen and space to grab a snack or drink.

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Boeing is offering it, but will airlines accept it? Moving the seat out of the cabin is usually a no-no, but most of us like a place to stretch our legs on a long flight – especially when flights of 14 hours or more becoming more popular.

Look forward

But make no mistake: A lot of the industry buzz these days focuses on how to create the newest and coolest seats in business and first class, especially as airlines continue to see demand Strong demand for their premium chairs.

“There’s a lot of real investment in premium products,” said Recaro CEO Hiller, noting that airlines are placing emphasis on business class doors and passenger seats. premium economy class – just like your company’s seats. showed.

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“It’s about privacy,” Hiller added.

Bottom line

After about 45,000 steps in three days, what have I learned about future flights? Expect personalized spaces that you can control and customize from your phone. You’ll likely see airlines doubling the number of private rooms and stepping up their style with ultra-luxurious, standout front-row accommodations.

The screen won’t go away; completely opposite. They are getting thinner, wider and better.

You’ll see more sophisticated mood lighting systems, like the dynamic lighting capabilities Boeing has introduced for the Dreamliner and its upcoming 777X aircraft. This particular installation is intended to mimic the Northern Lights.

Expect lighter materials to help planes fly more efficiently, consuming less fuel – key to sustainability. We’ll see faster and more reliable Wi-Fi — and it’s getting cheaper to use (though maybe not the latter on American Airlines).

Plus, new and innovative ways for every passenger — regardless of their level of mobility – to be able to travel.