Flexible Aircraft Interiors May Be the Future

Airbus design lab designs interchangeable aircraft interiors as concept for future flights.

The future of improving the customer experience could be as simple as re-configuring commercial aircraft between flights if an Airbus experiment moves forward. Wired Magazine reports that the latest design concept from the French airframe manufacturer involves the use of modular cabin elements.

Codenamed “Transpose,” the design comes from the A3 imprint within the global company. The idea calls for interchangeable elements that can be redesigned between flights. Instead of installing permanent rows of seats in a two- or three-cabin configuration, the “Transpose” interior can be changed between different flights. For example: An airline could configure a flight to include more premium seats or group seating for one segment, while re-configuring the same aircraft to have more economy or family-friendly options in future flights.

While the idea of a changing interior is exciting, it will take some time before these interiors could take to the sky. A test group of 66 flyers said they would be interested in the concept of an interchangeable aircraft interior, but regulatory approval must be sought before a test flight could be completed. This requires Airbus to work with international bodies to determine the safety features of a changing interior, including electrical and fire suppression systems. In the meantime, Airbus is investing time and resources into the project, including consulting with engineers and designers to bring the idea to life.

“It’s very risky, it’s a very different way of thinking,” Jason Chua, a project executive for A3, told Wired. “That’s why we’re running a ton of different experiments.”

The cabin design is not the first time Airbus has imagined cabin concepts of the future. The builder has previously applied for patents on two-tier seating options, sleeping box compartments, and in-seat storage compartments.

[Photo: Wired]