Interior specialists in Germany, Japan and the USA have been selected by Boeing to supply key features for the 787 cabin, which the company is promising will be the most distinctive yet designed for a commercial airliner.
Germany's Diehl Luftfahrt Elektronik will provide the main cabin lighting, with Jamco of Japan supplying the lavatories. Sidewalls and linings will be from Washington-based Northwest Composites, while a wireless emergency lighting system is to be provided by Securaplane, based in Arizona. The Diehl-developed solid-state light emitting diode (LED) lighting concept was chosen to enable the cabin crew to manipulate lighting levels to create various moods in the cabin.
Boeing has consulted psychologists and design specialists to evaluate computerised cabin light control systems that will tailor light levels to help passengers combat the fatigue of long-distance travel. From an operating cost perspective, Boeing says: "LED technology offers additional advantages regarding lower maintenance costs and longer intervals between unscheduled repairs."
Boeing is teaming with Jamco on several lavatory features including a baby changing station, new antibacterial surfaces, a window and a number of space-saving and unusual lighting features. C&D Aerospace affiliate Northwest Composites, which helped create the new-look 767 interior introduced with the -400 variant, will provide the sculpted 787 sidewalls, window embrasures or reveals, cargo linings, door linings and door surrounds. Boeing also says the 787 "will be the first commercial jet to feature wireless emergency lighting as a basic system"
GUY NORRIS/LOS ANGELES
Source: Flight International
