FLYING isn’t always the comfiest way to travel – although that is set to change.
New aircraft designs have been revealed at the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, which will change the way we travel.
One design included MAYA, new premium seats which will have a huge 45-inch cinema-like television screen.
The designs are part of a joint two-way venture between Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics Corporation.
These huge screens are said to be three times larger than typical screens featured in other aircraft.
The curved screen will have an OLED display, with movies and television shows appearing in ultra-high definition.
Meanwhile, the headphone-less audio system has been described as the “cinematic centrepiece of the suite” as it provides users with a “rich personalised viewing experience”.
The MAYA suites are packed with other pieces of technology too.
For example, passengers will be able to sync their electronic devices to the huge TV screen using the ADAPT controller.
In a press release, Ken Sain, boss of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: “MAYA is the product of the leading inflight technology provider and the largest airplane seat manufacturer collaborating to create the future of business class for the next generation of tech-savvy passengers.
“The seamlessly integrated 45” Astrova Curve OLED display is 3 times larger than typical screens and the first Ultra-Widescreen CinemaScope (21:9) display in the sky – the same screen format in cinemas.
“Based on seat geometry and viewing angles, MAYA delivers a 50 per cent more immersive viewing experience than sitting in a theatre.”
The MAYA suite will also feature recycled, reusable and plant-based materials in a bid to reduce waste.
It is not yet known which airline could feature the brand-new business class suites but the rollout could happen relatively quickly.
This is because Collins Aerospace is one of the largest airplane seat manufacturers.
Collins Aerospace also designed the business class pods found on Finnair flights.
Sun Travel recently tried the Finnair business pod – here’s our verdict.
MAYA wasn’t the only new airline seat that was unveiling during the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.
Other new plane seats
Plane seat designer Alejandro Núñez Vicente also showcased a brand-new double-level plane seat for premium passengers.
Back in 2021, Alejandro Núñez Vicente unveiled designed for two-tier plane seats for economy-class passengers.
The Chaise Longue Economy Seat project showed two rows of seats, with one on the floor of the cabin and one raised slightly higher.
According to the designer, the seat design allows passengers to have extra legroom, with airlines able to squeeze more customers onboard too.
While there are no airlines using the double-stacked plane seats at present, the designer unveiled the a first-class version of the seats at the German expo.
He told CNN Travel: “Now that we know economy works, and now that’s moving forward, we thought, “Why not go to the other end of the cabin and do a business-class/first-class hybrid?'”
In the design, overhead lockers have been removed to create two levels of airplane seating in one cabin.
The first-class cabin will see one passenger on the bottom row, with two other passengers seated on the top in a sofa-like style.
Alejandro Núñez Vicente has designed the new cabins with privacy in mind.
The brand-new cabins will feature a lie-flat bed and plenty of legroom.
Economy-class seats
It’s not just business class passengers who might be getting new seats on flights in the future, with economy class seats being unveiled at the Expo.
According to Forbes, Daniel Clucas, founder of Studio ID, will be unveiling Naked Economy Seats at the event.
The new economy seats will allow for airlines to dismantle the seats quickly – if they want to install improved features.
It is hoped that the new seats will make aircraft interiors more sustainable.
Fly business class with me on one of the world’s best airlines
Deputy Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski reveals what it’s like to travel business class in one of the best airlines in the world.
“I recently flew to just about the furthest away destination from the UK: Australia – and if there’s one journey you really want to do in comfort, it’s this one.
“It costs upwards of a staggering £3,700 each way to fly from Heathrow to Sydney in business class with Emirates, though.
“But as it turns out you get quite a lot of bang for your buck, with the lavish experience starting before you even step foot in the airport, thanks to the free “chauffeur” service (technically just a posh Addison Lee taxi) provided to all business class customers.
“I then made a beeline for Emirates departures lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3 where it turns out that champagne is acceptable at ANY time of the day when travelling business.
“I was then whisked onboard to my business class suite, which had plenty of space in the seat.
“If you’re not kept busy enough by the endless movies, TV shows and games on the ICE entertainment system at your seat, head to the airplane bar (yes, really), hosted by an air steward that shook up a better Bloody Mary cocktail than many I’ve sampled in many bars back home.
“You can read my full experience of flying first class with Emirates, here.”
Lufthansa will launch the new seats with extra legroom, a leg rest, coat hook and cocktail table in their premium economy section.
And British Airways is launches new “luxury” seats in economy – which the Sun’s Travel Editor Lisa Minot tried out.