In many cases an aircraft seat is meticulously designed, with a space designated for provision of an IFE monitor. The approach generally works, and gives freedom for customers to choose their preferred supplier and screen size and technology. However, today at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2024 in Hamburg, Germany, Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics jointly unveiled MAYA, a concept they say is “a transformative vision” for a next-generation business-class suite, with seat design and IFE more closely integrated to create an immersive experience.
MAYA combines Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics respective expertise in design, technology development and integration into a singular integrated solution, providing a clear differentiator for the business class cabin by redefining comfort, passenger immersion, accessibility and sustainability for the future air travel experience.
The suite is designed with an advanced seating architecture for optimal ergonomics. Technology also plays a role in the comfort, namely the integration of Collins’ Arise comfort technology that automatically optimises cushion pressure, regulates environmental temperature and reduces peak vibration disturbances during flight. Arise is a finalist in this year’s Crystal Cabin Awards.
Within the suite the most noticeable feature is the large, curved IFE screen, smoothly integrated into the design with some input from a prominent London-based design consultancy. The screen is a Panasonic Astrova Curve 45in-wide, ultra-high-definition OLED display with a headphone-less audio system, providing an immersive, customisable and feature-rich viewing experience.
The tech theme continues with Collins’ Adapt controller, which seamlessly syncs to the passenger’s electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet, to provide a familiar medium for controlling the seating environment. The company says that the use of one’s own device can be an important element in supporting advanced mobility, sensory, cognitive and language accommodations for passengers of varying abilities.
“MAYA is the fusion of enhanced physical, digital and smart technologies that exponentially enhance the cabin experience in ways individual solutions are unable to accomplish on their own,” said Ed Dryden, president of Interiors at Collins Aerospace, at the unveiling. “Unprecedented customisation and user control provides uniquely personal in-flight experiences – bridging historical gaps in accessibility, enabling multi-dimensional comfort and facilitating immersive in-flight entertainment.”
Ken Sain, CEO of Panasonic Avionics Corporation added: “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 45in 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 field of view, MAYA delivers a 50% more immersive viewing experience than sitting in a theatre.”
MAYA may be designed for the sky, but it will not be in the skies anytime soon as it is still in the concept stage, with Aircraft Interiors Expo being a key forum in which to gain customer and industry feedback on the design. If you would like to give the MAYA suite a try, it is on display at the Panasonic Avionics (4A10) and Collins Aerospace (5B30) booths during the Expo, from 28-30 May.
