Airbus & Zodiac Aerospace Hope To Seat You In Cargo Area
Sometime in 2020, it’s possible you’ll willingly buy a ticket on an Airbus A330 wide-bodied commercial jet in which you’ll travel inside a cargo compartment. Why agree to such an arrangement? Because if a partnership that Airbus, a leading global commercial jet manufacturer, and France-based aerospace services provider Zodiac Aerospace comes to fruition, cargo compartments would feature lower-deck modules with passenger sleeping berths or other possible configurations. The companies discussed their initiative recently at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.
A Distinguishing Feature
Airbus and Zodiac have already worked up mockups of module possibilities that they report have received “very positive feedback” from several airlines. According to a release, the modules would fit inside cargo compartments, thus enabling airlines to offer additional services to distinguish themselves while simultaneously improving the passenger experience. The companies state that if required, the passengers modules could easily be interchanged with regular cargo containers during a typical turnaround. Further, the modules won’t impact cargo loading systems or cargo floors.
Geoff Pinner, head of Airbus Cabin & Cargo Programme, characterized the module-cargo approach to commercial air travel as a “step change towards passenger comfort.” Christophe Bernardini, CEO of Zodiac Aerospace Cabin Branch, added that improved passenger experience is now a “key element of differentiation for airlines.”
Initially, the companies state by 2020, airlines will have the ability to choose among a catalogue of certified solutions available on Airbus’ wide-bodied A330 commercial aircraft for retrofit and line-fit markets. Airbus and Zodiac are also studying the possibility of offering sleeper compartments on the Airbus A350 XWB airliner.
Meet, Play, Or Sleep
Mockup illustrations from the companies depict lower-deck module configurations pertaining to the A350 XWB, including a “kids and family zone” module that contains such playground equipment as a slide. Another illustration depicts a “medical care zone” that includes beds, video screens, and other equipment. Reports indicate a bookable meeting room module fitted inside a container is also under consideration.
Zodiac Aerospace, a Safran-owned company, offers numerous aerospace systems and solutions, including those relating to cabins, cockpits, electrical systems, connected cabins, control systems, and safety systems. Airbus, meanwhile, produces aircraft falling into A320, A330, A350 XWB, and A380 product families and operates an ACJ (Airbus Corporate Jets) family that includes the ACJ318, ACJ319neo, ACJ319, ACJ320neo, ACJ321neo, ACJ3330neo, ACJ340, ACJ350 XWB, ACJ380, and ACJneo.
If you’re in the market for an Airbus plane, Controller has numerous new and pre-owned models for sale, including ACJ319s, ACJ318s, A340s, and A330s. Controller also has numerous new and pre-owned Airbus H125 helicopters for sale.
Source: Airbus
Questions? Comments? Visit the Controller Forums to ask questions, get answers, and share your thoughts.