Crystal Cabin Awards sees trend in eVTOL cabin concepts

The Crystal Cabin Awards 2023 has identified electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) cabin concepts as a new trend in its award submissions this year. The annual awards, which will take place at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg on 6 June, saw submissions from four leading companies, Almadesign and EVE Air Mobility, Hyundai Transys, Lilium and Supernal for new designs and approaches to the practical logistics of using eVTOLs.

Almadesign and EVE Air Mobility have teamed up to submit an eVTOL aircraft cabin that focuses on functionality, including an extra-wide access door as well as two wheelchair-configurable fixed and folding seats. Additionally, the cabin uses sustainable interior materials like natural leather and wool, citrus scents, customised soundscapes and a ‘mood-changing’ screen panel which is fitted to the ceiling.

Hyundai Transys has submitted a HT-01 concept, capable of re-configuring its four seats between 2×2 seat rows and a 4-seat facing group. Its forward seat pair also has a hinge mechanism allowing the passenger to face any desired direction, using a flip-over harness to eqally secure the passenger in either configuration. The HT-01 also features the option for a mesh screen between seat pairs, enabling more privacy for individual passengers.

Lilium’s Pioneer Edition cabin, a special edition limited to just 50 aircraft, features panoramic views, a customisable cabin as well as sustainable fabrics and materials. The cabin has a ceiling window, part of the cabin’s ‘Space Sphere’ concept, providing lots of light and an expansive, open feeling for passengers. The addition of customisable options such as a plug-in bar and integrated rails also provides passengers with a more personalised experience.

Supernal’s Crystal Cabin submission was its multi-element Uplift eVTOL concept, which provides multiple options for accessibility requirements for passengers, including the auto-fitting MultiModal wheelchair which is compatible with train or bus services, as well as a luggage restraint system that can be configured to accommodate users with the MultiModal wheelchair. The concept also features a universal boarding ramp, which auto-docks with the aircraft and considers the needs of visibility-impaired passengers.