On June 6, the prestigious Crystal Cabin Awards will be presented in Hamburg in a total of eight categories. Submissions for the awards totaled more than one hundred new products. As of today, the 24 finalists have been determined, including two innovations from Diehl Aviation: a special crew rest compartment and all-new composite structures with integrated vacuum insulation. This is a major achievement for the aircraft supplier in the run-up to the Aircraft Interiors Expo, at which the awards will be presented.
Crew Rest Compartment for Single-Aisle Aircraft (Cabin Concepts Category)
An increasing number of single-aisle aircraft are also being used on long-haul routes. The problem is that these aircraft do not offer separate rest compartments for the crew, instead merely having passenger seats separated by curtains - resulting in reduced capacity and minimal comfort for the crew. With its new crew rest compartment, Diehl Aviation is currently developing an entirely novel solution, making use of the space between the first cabin and the door area. Here, two beds can be installed, which can be folded up in a matter of seconds if necessary. As a result, the crew will be able to rest adequately on long-haul flights in single-aisle aircraft - and the airline no longer needs to block passenger seats. All common aircraft types can be retrofitted with the crew rest compartment.
Cabin Lining with Integrated Vacuum Insulation (Sustainable Cabin Category)
The second finalist innovation is aimed at improving energy efficiency in aviation. Aircraft manufacturers and suppliers are continuously pushing the limits of technical possibilities in aircraft design with the aim of reducing fuel consumption. The latest innovation from Diehl Aviation: an ultra-thin sandwich composite with integrated vacuum insulation serves as an insulating material for the cabin lining. In comparison with conventional insulation materials, these materials are five to ten times more effective. They provide unparalleled protection against heat loss, thus reducing energy consumption and also take up less space. Integrating the vacuum insulation in a sandwich composite allows the vacuum to be protected and the insulating effect in the cabin component to be preserved for the entire lifespan. Of course, critical requirements such as fire safety regulations are also met.
About Diehl Aviation
Diehl Aviation is a corporate division of Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG and combines all aviation activities of Diehl Group under one roof. In the aviation industry, Diehl Aviation – including Diehl Aerospace (a joint venture with Thales) is a leading system supplier of aircraft system and cabin solutions. Diehl Aviation currently has more than 4,400 employees. Its customers include leading aircraft manufacturers Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, military partners, manufacturers of eVTOL aircraft as well as airlines and operators of commercial and business aircraft worldwide.