Boeing is continuing the evolution of its passenger cabins as it looks to roll out its "overall interiors philosophy" across its entire range of airliners.
The process began with the development of the 787, says Kent Craver, regional director cabin experience and revenue analysis, and has since been applied to the Sky Interior on the 737 and updates to the 777.
"As humans we are inherently fascinated by flying, but over time we get desensitised to that," he says. Boeing's new interiors are designed to reverse that trend, he adds.
Recent focus has been on the 737, with the latest addition being the high-capacity "Space Bins" for the current iteration of the narrowbody and the developmental re-engined Max variant.
Longer term, however, the focus will begin to shift to the next-generation 777X, set to enter service in 2020.
Craver says the 777X will retain "the overarching goals" from the cabin philosophy "but we will look to see what technology we can use to take it to the next level".
One feature under consideration, says Craver, is the electro-chromatic windows installed on all Dreamliners.
Craver says a second-generation version will soon be rolled out "which is a great improvement" on the first, which was initially problematic for some customers.
The impoved windows are "under evaluation" for inclusion on the 777X, adds Craver.
He is dubious about rival Airbus's proposal for an 11-abreast layout on the A380, using seats that are "close to 18in wide" according to the Toulouse-based airframer.
"Adding more capacity to an airplane that's already hard to fill? I’m not sure where the value is," says Craver. "It's interesting that they were so hard on 18in [seats], but now that doesn't really matter, I guess."
Source: Flight Daily News
