Groundbreaking aviation concepts have been shortlisted for the 2023 Crystal Cabin Awards, showcasing the next wave of innovation in air travel.

This year's Crystal Cabin Awards shortlist features cutting-edge ideas, from a cabin design that eliminates the middle seat to an impressive upgrade in single-aisle aircraft business class, offering an exciting preview of aviation's future.

Each year, the Crystal Cabin Awards highlight visionary concepts that redefine the airplane cabin experience. With eight distinct categories, the awards celebrate everything from eco-conscious innovations like Lufthansa's AI-powered food waste app to forward-thinking concepts emerging from academic institutions.

Julia Grosser, a spokesperson for the Crystal Cabin Award Association, notes that this year's shortlisted ideas reflect a turning point for aviation as the industry recovers from the challenges of the pandemic.

Grosser shared with Dinogo Travel that airlines, manufacturers, and suppliers are making significant investments in onboard products once more, with innovations even in economy class, such as bunk beds and enhanced connectivity.

Revolutionary ideas in the air

One of the standout innovations on the shortlist is Air New Zealand's 'Skynest' concept, which features bookable sleeping pods with six lie-flat bunk beds, offering long-haul economy passengers the chance to rest properly during their flight.

Kerry Reeves, Air New Zealand’s head of aircraft programs, explains to Dinogo Travel that long-haul travel is essential for the country’s connectivity and tourism, given New Zealand’s remote location at the world’s southernmost edge.

The inspiration behind SkyNest comes from Air New Zealand’s belief that every passenger should be able to enjoy a restful sleep, regardless of which cabin they are in, as Reeves emphasizes.

The sleeping pods are designed in two rows, each containing three bunks, and are available for booking for periods of about four hours.

Air New Zealand has been developing the SkyNest concept for several years, first unveiling it in 2020. The airline is now deep into the technical details, working on the certification and engineering processes to implement SkyNest on its new 787 aircraft, according to Kerry Reeves.

The airline has already built multiple prototypes of the SkyNest. It’s now exploring the possibility of transporting one to the 2023 Airline Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, where the Crystal Cabin Award Association will announce the year's winners.

Other innovations on the shortlist include the ‘Ascent Front Row Suite’ from Adient Aerospace, a forward-thinking business class design created in collaboration with Boeing EnCore Interiors.

Stephanie Faulk, Adient's director of sales and marketing, explains that the inspiration for the concept, which has been under development since early 2022, stemmed from the challenge of delivering a wide-body cabin experience in a narrow-body aircraft.

Faulk highlights that as narrow-body planes are now capable of taking on longer routes, there is a growing demand for comfort and features that rival those of wide-body jets, offering an enhanced travel experience.

While business class on wide-body aircraft can offer luxury and space, on narrower planes it typically only translates to a bit more legroom and a premium selection of food and drinks.

Adient and Boeing EnCore Interiors set out to create an upgraded short-haul business class experience, featuring a lie-flat bed, ample luggage storage, a minibar, a library, and the option for another passenger to join for a meeting or social time.

Faulk mentions that the concept has already generated significant interest and positive feedback from airlines.

While Adient’s design works within the constraints of existing cabin layouts, the ‘Multicabin’ concept by Spanish firm Taller De Arquitectura T36 aims to revolutionize the entire airplane interior.

Taller De Arquitectura T36 envisions three distinct economy cabins spread over two levels, with the bold goal of eliminating the middle seat. The design incorporates both real and virtual windows for an innovative feel.

The design also increases the seat count in the cabin, which is always attractive to airlines, even though the emergency exit layout is less clear.

Another entry on the shortlist, Euphony, is an innovative seat design from French company Safran Seats, developed in partnership with audio technology brand Devialet, aimed at enhancing the inflight entertainment experience.

Euphony eliminates the need for personal headphones by integrating speakers into each seat's headrest. The sound is carefully calibrated to ensure passengers can enjoy their entertainment without disturbing others or being overheard.

Dinogo Travel experienced the concept at last year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo and noted: “Euphony doesn’t quite replicate the noise-canceling comfort of headphones, but it offers a cozy alternative that’s more like watching a movie on your couch.”

Innovative concepts for the future

The Crystal Cabin Award's ‘University’ category provides a glimpse into the creative ideas of the future generation of aviation designers.

Consider the Tilde Aviation Concept, designed by Joshua Nilsson, a Scottish graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Originally Nilsson’s senior thesis, the concept envisions a private, enclosed in-flight suite designed specifically for passengers traveling together in a group.

The suite features a flexible design, transforming from four seats facing each other to lie-flat beds for added comfort.

Nilsson shares with Dinogo Travel that his design was inspired by cherished memories of family holidays.

He explains, “Travel, whether in economy or first class, is often a solitary experience. For me, it shouldn’t be. I wanted my design to foster connection, which is why I created an aviation suite tailored specifically for group travel.”

After recently returning to Scotland, Nilsson has launched his own design studio. He hopes the recognition from the Crystal Cabin Awards will help him bring his concept to life.

The finalists for the Crystal Cabin Awards will be revealed in May, with the winners announced in June.