Innovation abounds at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo so it was highly appropriate that the Crystal Cabin Awards for innovation in aircraft cabins were presented at the show at 1100 on Wednesday 28 March, after the formal awards ceremony took place on the previous evening.

Mary Kirby, Editor in Chief of the Airline Passenger Experience magazine, presented the awards. The Passenger Comfort award went to Lufthansa Systems for its BoardConnect wireless infotainment solution. The Industrial Design and Technical Concepts category winner was B/E Aerospace & Teague for the Essence Inserts Collection that consists of ten individual products for the galley.

TTF Aerospace won the Material and Components accolade for its TSkin product that protects baggage compartments from damage and gives them a fresher look, while the Greener Cabin, Health and Safety award went to C&D Zodiac for its Sidewall & Lining System that is both environmentally and user friendly. The company says that simplicity is the keynote of the product.

It was a double triumph for C&D Zodiac which also received the Premium Class Products category award for its C3 Ultralounge. Instead of the traditional twin aisle configuration, there is a single large aisle with multiple cross aisles, speeding the boarding process.

Completing the line-up of winners was Almadesign, whose LIFE concept (Lighter, Integrated, eco-Friendly and Efficient aircraft cabin), combines state-of-the-art technology with natural, sustainable materials, such as leather and cork, to create a cabin for the business jet of the future.

Ian Crawford, Portfolio Director at Reed Exhibitions, who handed out the award in the Premium Class Products category during the gala dinner ceremony last night, said, ‘As the organisers of Aircraft Interiors Expo we have been privileged to see the launch of many exciting new ideas to enhance the passenger experience. Innovation in this sector is particularly deserving of praise since the designers have to take into account a whole range of demanding factors, including safety, weight, environmental impact and, of course, cost. It is a credit to this industry that year after year we are able to applaud outstanding new products and technologies and this year is no exception.’