As part of the virtual Aircraft Interiors Expo 2021, the Crystal Cabin Awards in the special categories “Clean and Safe Air Travel” and “Judges’ Choice Award” have been presented for the first time, with Safran winning both categories.
The two special categories were developed by a task force of jury members in response to the global coronavirus pandemic and its impact on aviation worldwide.
Clean & Safe Air Travel is targeted at innovations for aircraft in the areas of health, hygiene, safety, and cleanliness. The Judges’ Choice Award has been designed for entries that would otherwise have been submitted in one of the eight regular categories, including Cabin Systems and In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity. These two special categories were developed by a task force of the Crystal Cabin Award Association, which is led by Hamburg Aviation, in collaboration with members of the expert jury, spread over four continents.
For the first time, five finalists were shortlisted per category, rather than three. The awards ceremony for the eight main was broadcast in TV format in March 2021.
In the Clean and Safe Air Travel category, Safran Cabin won with its Beacon Clean Lavatory. This innovative bathroom concept represented the company’s response to increased passenger hygiene expectations, combining antibacterial surfaces with hands-free features.
Safran also came out on top in the Judges’ Choice Award for its entry in cooperation with Universal Movement on Interspace. The innovation is targeted primarily at short and medium-haul economy and business class flights.
