Inside the cabin

Airbus aircraft can be fitted with state-of-the-art In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems offering passengers individual screens with high-quality audio and video programming on demand.

Passengers can receive other services such as satellite live television broadcasts, safety instructions in their own language, live views from landscape cameras outside of the aircraft, international news or connecting flight information. These latest generation entertainment systems are fully integrated into the seat, which not only creates further legroom but also allows the connection of their own personal electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets or laptops.

IFE now provides on-board connectivity, available on all Airbus aircraft. Passengers can use their personal wireless devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops to send and receive SMS messages, e-mails, access the internet or make and receive phone calls. Easily manageable by cabin crew, a selectable “voice-off” mode restricts cell-phone usage to data services only (SMS, e-mail and internet). 

Making sure that cabin crew are as comfortable and well rested as possible is essential to helping them to give the best possible service to passengers.  

Airbus aircraft already offer one of the safest environments with air filtration systems that ensure high levels of cabin air quality for passengers and crew – thanks to a thoroughly designed cabin “Environment Control System” (ECS). The ECS, which controls and monitors the air quality, temperature and pressure, also ensures that the airflow inside the cabin is constantly moving: It flows from top to bottom at one metre per second, and is subsequently removed through the floor. This airflow is optimised to prevent longitudinal movement, so there is no spread between adjacent seat rows.

Airbus was the first manufacturer to introduce ambient lighting as a factory fit option on commercial aircraft. Today it is possible to provide ambient lighting on all Airbus aircraft, enabling airlines to adapt it and create an atmosphere in line with their branding and colour scheme, choosing from a palette of 16 million colours. 

Pre-defined lighting scenarios use colours, brightness levels and dynamic transitions to provide a pleasant and refined cabin atmosphere in all phases of flight. For example, this feature can be used to reduce the effects of jet lag by simulating sunrise or sunset – ensuring passengers arrive at their destination refreshed and ready to go. The adoption of LED technology throughout the cabin improves control, the variety of scenarios, and the quality of the lighting, so that airlines can “make magic” out of light. 

The quietness of Airbus cabins greatly contribute to how rested and refreshed passengers feel upon landing. Airbus’ aircraft often surprise people by how quiet it is on-board, especially when it comes to the A380. Passengers' overall perception is one of peace and quiet, making a major contribution toward stress-free and restful flights. 

Airbus’ innovative Airspace cabin brand – launched in 2016 – was created with passengers at heart, and built around four key pillars: comfort, ambience, services and design.

Signature design elements recognisable throughout all Airspace cabins offer more personal space; larger overhead storage bins; spacious contemporary lavatories; along with unobstructed under-seat foot space. Other features are personalised in-flight entertainment options, a unique and customisable welcome area, the latest in LED technology for ambient lighting; plus straight lines, clean shapes and clear surfaces throughout the interior.

Features include new galley and lavatory options to suit individual airline requirements, freeing up main deck space to allow for additional seating, such as modular Space-Flex, or wheelchair-accessible lavatory configurations.

New passenger
experience 

Airbus has created two facilities that enable airlines to experience and define the cabins on their future aircraft: the Airspace Customer Showroom at the company’s Toulouse, France headquarters; and the Airspace Customer Definition Centre in Hamburg, Germany.

The Airspace Customer Showroom in Toulouse has full-scale interior mock-ups of the company’s aircraft. It is the place to visualise, feel and see different levels of comfort targeted at different markets, all under one roof. A variety of configurations and equipment is displayed in full-size mock-ups of the entire cabin, from the entrance area to the crew rest zones – allowing customers to have a privileged look at Airbus cabin innovations as well as comfort and efficiency enablers and lighting mock-ups.

The Airspace Customer Definition Centre in Hamburg offers the ultimate definition experience for Airbus cabins combined with efficient processes and state-of-the-art technology. Launched in 2014, the centre has successfully performed hundreds of definition meetings, benefitting from an ever-improving tool-set of functional definition areas and product displays.