When it comes to passenger experience, Airbus’s new ‘Airspace’ cabin has been a hot topic in recent months. The European manufacturer has developed its new onboard product with various aspects of customer comfort in mind, deeming it “the most valuable space in the sky.” But what exactly makes it so special? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
A new level of passenger experience
Airbus launched the Airspace cabin on its next-generation A350 XWB family. This new onboard experience quickly received critical acclaim, winning two design awards in 2016. More recently, the European manufacturer caused significant excitement when, earlier this year, it revealed the narrowbody design for Airspace. The design focuses on four key aspects.
According to Airbus’s website, the first element of the ‘Airspace DNA’ is the ambiance. This has seen the manufacturer provide passengers with a unique welcome in the form of ambient lighting and a quiet cabin. In terms of comfort, passengers in Airspace cabins enjoy flexible seating, as well as more space for both themselves and their baggage.
When it comes to services, the Airspace cabin offers passengers stronger connectivity and a more varied entertainment program on larger screens. Onboard lavatories are also “visibly brighter and cleaner.” Finally, the cabin’s design has a sustainable focus, while using “straight lines, clean shapes, and clear surfaces” to give a spacious feel.
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Which planes have Airspace cabins?
Another key goal of Airbus’s Airspace cabin is for it to have a family feel. Specifically, it has designed the product to “promote a recognizable family of Airbus cabins” across both its widebody and narrowbody designs. While it began life on the A350, it has since spread to several other aircraft families in the Airbus design portfolio.
In terms of other widebodies, Airbus has also developed Airspace cabins for the A330neo and A380. Airbus prides itself on the adaptability of these onboard products. Regarding their suitability for all configurations, it states: “This cabin has the versatility to match all airline operations and provide an enjoyable flight to passengers in all markets.”
While the narrowbody Airspace cabin is a later development, it is clear to see that its design is consistent with its widebody counterparts. For the single-aisle market, Airbus has developed Airspace cabins for its A220 and A320neo families. The latter of these taps into the increasing trend of long-haul narrowbody flights.
Onboard with Lufthansa, Jet2, and JetBlue
Staying with the Airspace cabin that has been designed specifically for the A320neo family, US carrier JetBlue has been a key beneficiary of this upgraded onboard experience. The new cabin has helped it to market its new transatlantic services, with a product that offers widebody comfort on its single-aisle Airspace-configured Airbus A321LRs.
Today is also a momentous day for the Airspace cabin in Europe. Indeed, it is now that Lufthansa is going to be debuting its upgraded onboard experience on one of its Airbus A321neos. The first flight is operating from Frankfurt to Fuerteventura. Its partners Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and Swiss will also later roll out the new cabin.
In the UK, Yorkshire-based low-cost and leisure carrier Jet2 recently made history by placing its first-ever Airbus order. Consisting of 36 A321neos, these aircraft will also be fitted with the Airspace cabin, featuring innovative lighting and larger overhead bins.
What do you make of the Airbus Airspace cabin? Which aircraft are you most looking forward to seeing it on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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