News
“Airspace by Airbus” launched in London
March 24th 2016
On Wednesday, the Toulouse-headquartered manufacturer unveiled its cabin brand “Airspace by Airbus” to media at London’s iconic Gherkin building. Read More » The concept is about creating a superior passenger experience, building on four key pillars – ambience, comfort, services and design - and is intended to provide “a sophisticated, flexible canvas as a back-drop to enhance airlines’ own brands”.
Inspired by the A350’s Xtra Wide Body (XWB) passenger satisfaction surveys, the “Airspace” will debut on the re-engined A330neo in 2017 and flow on to the A380 and the single-aisle A320 Family. Retrofitting existing aircraft with “Airspace” elements is “under study”, said Airbus.
“We’ve listened to our customers and our customers’ customers,” Airbus’ executive vice-president of strategy and marketing, Dr. Kiran Rao, told Orient Aviation at the unveiling, and added the manufacturer now derived much of its feedback from social media platforms. “We understand better what the passenger wants, so what we’re doing is to optimise the ways we use the space within the aircraft,” Dr. Rao said. The actual footprint remained the same, but “we can put in maybe ten, twelve or 14 more seats without the cabin feeling more crowded, and give passengers a greater feeling of space,” he said.
Based on computer renderings and subject to individual customer specifications, LED panels capable of producing “60 million different colours” could adorn the whole aircraft ceiling and cabin walls. The cabin also will be quieter. “The noise energy will be 50%, or three decibels, lower than on the B787,” Francois Caudron, Airbus senior vice-president of marketing, told Orient Aviation.
Improved features include deeper lateral overhead storage bins, which Airbus said will accommodate 66% more bags, a bin door mechanism that will be easier to operate and an integrated LED hand/grip rail. As on the A350, the central luggage bins have been removed from business class to increase the feeling of overall spaciousness.
There will be “spacious and contemporary lavatories” with “antibacterial surfaces” and “touchless flushing and taps, discreet aroma dispensers and soothing, ambient sounds". Carriers and lessors can also opt for a ‘fourth-generation’ IFE system with larger HD screens and more media jacks, while hidden electronic control boxes will maximize leg room under economy seats. “The ability to create a beautiful economy product is the hardest part,” Dr. Rao conceded.
“Airspace” on the A320 single-aisle aircraft will change the size and shape of galleys and create more room. Options for the IndiGo’s A320neo allow the rear lavatories to be moved to the end of the aircraft rather than be located in the present position before the galley. Six extra seats can be installed in the vacated space and seat pitch can be increased by an inch.
Dr. Rao told Orient Aviation Airbus is considering moving galleys and lavatories on the A330, A350 and A380 below the passenger deck to increase seat count and/or cabin spaciousness, ambience and reduce noise levels. “The cargo business is in no position to fill the under-floor,” he suggested, so it would not have an economic impact on carriers. Lufthansa’s outgoing A340-600 fleet already has the bathrooms in the “basement” as do some charter carriers’ A330s.
In related yet entirely different events, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) last week said the global air cargo industry continues operating in a difficult business environment. The anaemic volume growth experienced since 2010 continues, with yields still contracting. IATA estimates volumes will increase 3% in 2016, but under pressure from integrators, competing modes of transport and increased capacity in the passenger fleet, cargo yields are expected to fall a further 5.5% this year.
“Air cargo continues to be a challenging environment for airlines to keep revenues ahead of costs. The business, however, generates enormous value. Over a third of goods traded internationally - measured by value - are delivered by air cargo. To do that profitably, the air cargo sector must bolster its key strengths of speed and flexibility with modern processes and improved quality. That means transformation,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director-general and CEO.
