The aeroplane cabin of the future

Aiming to make cabin interiors far more entertaining, the Chicago-based manufacturer has revealed plans for ceiling or wall projections that show celestial displays, clouds or mood lighting to entertain passengers or help them to fall asleep.

It is also hoping to raise the on-board wow factor with curved entertainment screens that show flight details and a film or TV programme all at once.

It’s not known when the next-generation lighting concepts will be introduced, but a computer-generated video has revealed what passengers can expect in the years ahead.

In terms of seating, passengers in first or business class will continue to enjoy a lush experience, while those in economy will still be seated as many as 10 across.

The video shows thinner seats that look more comfortable and larger entertainment screens in the backs of headrests, along with ceiling panels that display stars while flying at night or sunny and blue skies during the day. 

Passengers move from cabin to cabin through automated doors that raise from floor to ceiling and there are illuminated screens on the bulkheads (partitions separating cabins) to direct people to their seats. 

In the upper classes, lie-flat seats boast large or curved high-definition screens, and there is a central lounge backdropped by a large screen that can display everything from a welcome message to scenes from the destination.

Boeing said the concepts are being worked on by engineers in its Commercial Airplanes Product Development division.

Mike Sinnett, the division’s vice-president of product development, said: ‘These ceiling projections could be scenes found in nature or helpful information for passengers projected on the walls and bulkheads.

‘Airlines could use these lighting enhancements on the walls and bulkheads to display information about the destination or to project scenes that get passengers thinking about where they’re going.

‘The possibilities are endless about how this technology could be used.’

(dailymail.co.uk)