The Crystal Cabin Award is the most prestigious prize for innovations in the field of aircraft cabins and has been recognising groundbreaking developments since 2007. These innovations revolutionise the passenger experience, cabin technology, and the aviation industry. The award is presented annually in various categories, ranging from sustainable innovations to practical and comfortable passenger solutions. For 2025, the Crystal Cabin Award will again serve as a trend barometer for the aviation sector. The shortlist features over 50 entries, with the coveted trophies to be awarded in seven categories on 8 April 2025 – traditionally in Hamburg, as part of the Aircraft Interiors Expo. Winners will be selected by an international panel of experts.
New Ideas for Comfort, Efficiency, and Sustainability
The Crystal Cabin Award provides a platform for innovative solutions that not only enhance passenger comfort and safety but also promote efficiency and sustainability within the aviation industry.
Notable entries include solutions such as Cathay Pacific‘s Aria Suite, developed in collaboration with JPA Design and Reaktor. This Business Class seat for the Boeing 777-300ER allows passengers to control lighting, seat position, and crew communication via a synchronised system. Pre-programmed Activity Modes and integrated control units enable intuitive personalisation, including a display of lavatory availability. Lufthansa Technik’s Haptic Dial redefines inflight entertainment controls through tactile feedback, allowing passengers to make precise adjustments without looking at the screen.
A dominant trend is the integration of technology to improve cabin functionality, as seen in UNIO by Design Investment and Healthy Motion Seating by Comfort Motion Global (CMG) in partnership with Astronics PGA and Thompson Aero Seating. UNIO is a standalone electronic component designed like a desk lamp that consolidates various Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) into one, simplifying seat manufacturing and maintenance. It also offers airlines a customisable product that reflects their brand identity across the fleet. Healthy Motion Seating is a patented technology offering physiological and psychological benefits for passengers, designed for electrically adjustable seats in First and Business Class. Requiring no additional hardware, it reduces seat weight while improving passenger well-being, as confirmed by a 2023 study.
Cathay Pacific’s Gallery in the Skies transforms the Business Class cabins of the Boeing 777-300ER into art galleries, showcasing works by artists with a strong connection to Hong Kong. This underlines the importance of aesthetics and cultural identity in aviation.
Sustainable Innovations for a Greener Future in Aviation
Entries in the “Sustainable Cabin” category focus on sustainability and circular economy, aiming to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of aircraft cabins. Many solutions emphasise recycling and resource conservation, with waste-reducing and energy-efficient technologies playing a central role.
Since autumn 2024, Air France has been equipping its Embraer 190 fleet with new, comfortable seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration. Developed with French manufacturer Expliseat, these lightweight seats help reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, reflecting the airline’s commitment to sustainability and modern comfort. Krüger Aviation, in cooperation with Green Mobility Interior and Airbus, presents KRC PC 100, an innovative recycled polycarbonate made entirely from production waste. The material meets stringent industry safety and quality standards, supports zero-waste production, and is versatile in applications such as sheets, granulates, and filaments. Its manufacturing process utilises renewable energy, further reducing its CO₂ footprint.
Recycled materials are also gaining prominence in aircraft textiles and surfaces. Mohawk Group’s EcoFlex InFlight offers a sustainable, efficient alternative to traditional carpeting. Its modular design simplifies installation, and its polyolefin backing contains at least 40% recycled content, making it PVC-free and environmentally friendly. The product is manufactured in an energy-efficient facility in Virginia and is fully recyclable at the end of its life.
A collaboration between Boeing, Adient Aerospace, Botany Weaving, and LanzaTech develops innovative seat fabric materials made from CO₂ waste. Surface solutions such as Peter/Lacke’s 2PL² coating and Boxmark Leather’s Sustainable Leather Innovation expand the portfolio with eco-friendly coatings and leather products that reduce the environmental footprint of aircraft interiors.
Accessible Solutions for All Passengers
In the “Accessibility” category, entries focus on improving comfort and accessibility for all passengers, including those with physical impairments. FlightPath3D’s Accessibility Map offers a user-friendly, high-contrast map that helps passengers with visual, motor, cognitive, or auditory impairments navigate the aircraft more easily.
Collins Aerospace’s Prime+ Cabin Platform System enables wheelchair users to remain in their wheelchairs throughout the flight, providing a safe, dignified, and comfortable travel experience. The system also enhances efficiency by not reducing cabin capacity and doubling as a workstation for crew. Delta Flight Products’ Inclusive Lavatory and Diehl Aviation’s Space³ also offer intelligent design solutions that combine accessibility with comfort.
University Category: Innovative Concepts for Comfort and Accessibility
Entries in the “University” category for 2025 aim to revolutionise comfort and accessibility in aviation. UDIT’s R.A.I.S.S (Restroom Autonomous In-flight Sanitising System) offers a groundbreaking solution for in-flight restroom hygiene, featuring an autonomous robot that cleans the floor after each use. The cabin also integrates interactive screens, an island-style sink, and a self-cleaning toilet system to improve functionality and passenger comfort.
HAW Hamburg, in collaboration with Diehl Aviation, presents the Single Aisle Lavatory Door 1, which enhances accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility in narrow cabins. Tongji University’s Ultra-lightweight Display System uses small projectors and gesture control to reduce weight and space while offering passengers an interactive alternative to traditional screens. The University of Cincinnati’s Air Nova, a modular AI-powered system, enhances the flight experience with personalised lighting, automated service requests, and a holographic interface.
The Inclusive Economy Aircraft concept, developed by the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Arts University Bournemouth, focuses on accessibility and comfort in Economy Class. It features wider aisles with foldable seats, expandable lavatories, and dedicated zones for passengers with mobility challenges or sensory sensitivities, complemented by quiet and family-friendly zones.
Crystal Cabin Award 2025: Ceremony and Jury
The seven categories of the Crystal Cabin Awards 2025 include Accessibility, Cabin Technologies, IFEC & Digital Services, Passenger Comfort, Sustainable Cabin, University, and the additional “Judge’s Choice Airline Innovation” category. The 28 jury members will select three finalists in each category, to be announced in February 2025.
The finalists will present their concepts to the jury in person at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (8–10 April 2025, in Hamburg). Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Grand Elysée Hotel in Hamburg on 8 April.
