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.
Lufthansa Technik
Hanwha Phasor bails on ESA market
ESA manufacturers continue their work to bring next generation antenna technology to commercial success. This week Phasor appears to have earned the lamentable honor of failing at that goal for a second time.
SkyFive taps Lufthansa Technik for ATG hardware support
SkyFive is teaming with Lufthansa Technik to boost its inflight connectivity offering.
Lufthansa Technik adds 787 retrofit capacity
After more than a decade, airlines looking to modify their 787 interiors finally have a third party option. Lufthansa Technik secured a license from Boeing to perform the work.
AERQ’s AERENA set to fly on Discover Airlines
The first airplane with AERQ’s in-seat entertainment system is now installed and ready to fly. Discover Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group, added the AERENA embedded IFE platform on one of its A320 aircraft through a collaboration and innovation partnership between AERQ, Discover Airlines and Lufthansa Group Innovation Runway.
Transparent TVs shine at CES, boost aero potential
Deliberate certification cycles and fickle consumer demand typically leave the aviation industry chasing after consumer technologies, trying to adapt them for inflight use. AERQ is well ahead of that curve, however, with its transparent OLED cabin monument screen.
Finnair adds A330 cargo conversion with Lufthansa Technik, Airbus
A handful of markets show signs of recovery for passenger traffic. But airlines typically focused on long-haul international service are nowhere close to calling it a recovery. With air cargo capacity still depressed around the globe Finnair is the latest to add more cargo capacity to its operations, bringing a temporary conversion online for its A330s in partnership with Airbus and Lufthansa Technik.
Turkish Airlines completes first Global Eagle IFC installation
Global Eagle is ending the year on a high note, at least in one market. Just over a year after announcing a deal to install Ku-band satellite connectivity services on a large portion of the Turkish Airlines single-aisle fleet the company confirmed on Monday that the first of those aircraft is now equipped with its Ku-band satellite connectivity solution.
AERQ brings new IFE solution, cabin digitalization to market
Airlines now have another option for delivering inflight entertainment to passengers. AERQ, a joint venture of LG and Lufthansa Technik, is bringing its new cabin digitalization platform to market and already has at least one airline signed up as a customer.
Peek inside the largest converted cargo aircraft flying today
Given that the A380 has no real future as a true cargo aircraft (i.e. containers on the main deck, not just in the belly) this is likely the only time we’ll see the Whale flying with so much freight on board. And that’s awesome, even if it is for less than wonderful reasons.