Accessibility remains a hot topic of conversation at Aircraft Interiors Expo. And, as in prior years, it was challenging to sort real progress from hype.
accessibility
Collins Evolves “Prime+” Accessibility Seating
With accessibility top of mind for commercial aviation, especially around seating, Collins Aerospace continues to improve on its “Prime” wheelchair seating solution, showing a more refined version at AIX2025 this year in Hamburg.
Finalists of the Crystal Cabin Awards 2025: New Innovations For the Future of Flight
The next generation of aviation innovation will be shaped by the innovators of today. The 2025 Crystal Cabin Awards finalists are among those expected to have outsized impact.
Delta boosts moving map accessibility with FlightPath3D update
Delta Air Lines’ inflight maps are getting an accessibility overhaul, thanks to FlightPath3D.
LATAM picks Recaro for Dreamliner business class update
Five years after LATAM began updating its 787 business class cabins, a new generation of seating appears to be arriving soon, Recaro’s R7 as the star.
American introduces dedicated bag tags for mobility devices
More than one percent of mobility devices are mishandled in the United States. American Airlines hopes to improve its record with the introduction of a digital tagging process, now live for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Making premium more accessible in United’s Polaris single-aisle design
The latest United Airlines’ single-aisle Polaris cabin offers up a unique design to increase cabin density while maintaining space for passengers. But it also presents a challenge for those traveling in a wheelchair. A second patent associated with the seating concept addresses that issue.
Korean Air plans mini-suites for 787-10, 777-300ER
Korean Air will introduce a new business class suite as part of the 787-10 induction, with service entry planned for November 2023.
DOT finalizes single-aisle accessible lavatory rules
Some new single-aisle aircraft will be required to have an accessible lavatory. While this is somewhat good news for accessibility on board, it remains limited, both in aircraft size covered and in timing.
Airline safety cards work, but you’re still not reading them
Behold the airline safety card, that humble piece of paper or plastic wedged unceremoniously into the seatback of every commercial airplane you’ve ever been on. When was the last time you picked it up and gave it a good browse?