Qantas wins passenger comfort award at the ‘Oscars of Cabin Interiors’ in Hamburg

Qantas wins passenger comfort award at the ‘Oscars of Cabin Interiors’ in Hamburg
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Qantas has recently taken out the passenger comfort category at the Crystal Cabin Awards at the 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

    Referred to as the Oscars of cabin interiors, the awards recognise the best in innovative cabin products, creative design and seating concepts that will shape future aircraft.

    Qantas took out the category for its ‘wellbeing zone’ which is set to feature on the carriers Airbus A350 aircraft that will be used for the ultra long haul Project Sunrise flights.

    Flying from the East Coast of Australia to London and New York, the Project Sunrise flights are scheduled for first take-offs in 2026.

    The wellbeing zone was designed by Diehl Aviation and will be located in the front of the economy cabin featuring a padded, L-shaped area that will accommodate two to three standing passengers.

    Qantas says the zone is “a space where you can follow specially guided movements on large monitors and enjoy a selection of healthy refreshments”.

    Qantas’ wellbeing zone. (Supplied)

    Another standout product at the event and one that Qantas guests will become accustomed to is the new Recaro R3 seat.

    Formerly names the CL3810, the seat has a pitch of 84 centimetres, just two centimetres Japan Airlines class leading 86 centimetre pitch and features a six way adjustable headrest. When reclined, the seats front edge flexes to relieve pressure on the passengers legs.

    The seat also features a 34 centimetre OLED screen with 4k resolution, a USB-C charging outlet and is made up of a range of sustainable materials including cork, wood and even recycled fishing nets!

    Recaro R3 seat Qantas render. (Supplied)

     

    Delta Flight Products, in partnership with UK based Air4All showed off a new adaptable seat that will enable wheelchair users to dock their own chair when flying. Available in both premium economy and economy versions, the seats base is able to flip up and retractable hooks will lock the chair into position for the flight.

    Full winners list 2024 Crystal Cabin Awards

    • Cabin concepts: Factorydesign, Coop. BermudAir – the BermudAir Aisle Class Suite
    • Material and components: Collins Aerospace – STARLight
    • Cabin systems: Safran Cabin – the CUBE
    • Health and safety: Accenture GmbH – Accenture PED safety bag
    • Passenger comfort: Diehl Aviation, Coop. Qantas Airways Ltd – the Wellbeing Zone
    • IFEC and digital services: Thales Avionics – FlytEdge
    • Sustainable cabin: Diehl Aviation – ECO Sidewall
    • University: Tongji University, Coop. Dupont – Flexifold

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