John Newton, features editor reports on a Sleeping Compartment for Airbus​
A partnership has been set up to develop and market aircraft lower-deck modules with passenger
sleeping facilities.
The partnership – between Airbus and French group, Zodiac Aerospace – envisage sleeping berths fitting inside existing aircraft cargo compartments.
They say the move will offer new opportunities for additional services to passengers, improving their experience while enabling airlines to differentiate and add value for their commercial operations.
The new passenger modules will be interchangeable with regular cargo containers during a typical turnaround if required. Moreover, the aircraft's cargo floor and cargo loading system will not be affected at all, as the passenger module will sit directly on it.
“This approach to commercial air travel is a step change towards passenger comfort,” said Geoff Pinner, head of Airbus Cabin and Cargo Programme. “We have already received very positive feedback from several airlines on our first mock-ups.”
Airlines will initially be able to choose from a catalogue of certified solutions by the year 2020 on A330 for retrofit and line-fit markets. And the partners say the plan to offer sleeper compartments on the A350 XWB aircraft is also being studied. The innovation builds on both Airbus' and Zodiac Aerospace's experience in producing and integrating lower-deck crew rest facilities.
http://www.airbus.com/