In a significant advancement for aviation comfort, the Wellbeing Zone, a collaborative innovation between Qantas and Diehl Aviation, was awarded the prestigious Crystal Cabin Award in the “Passenger Comfort” category at the recent Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX). This recognition marks a milestone in enhancing the passenger experience, particularly on ultra-long-haul flights.
Qantas’ Project Sunrise flight is set to revolutionize travel comfort standards through the introduction of the Wellbeing Zone. Positioned strategically between economy and premium economy classes, the Wellbeing Zone offers universal access to all passengers, irrespective of their travel class. The zone features a spacious area around door 3 of the aircraft, designed to promote wellbeing through various amenities that encourage passengers to stand, stretch, and relax. Special leaners provide areas for passengers to rest comfortably during the flight.
The zone also includes a self-serve station equipped with a touchless water dispenser and an array of snacks and drinks specifically chosen to aid hydration and refreshment. To enhance environmental sustainability and reduce the flight’s carbon footprint, the Wellbeing Zone incorporates ultra-thin glass doors, advanced lighting, vacuum insulation, and innovative manufacturing techniques that significantly lower the weight and space required onboard.
The first aircraft to incorporate the Wellbeing Zone will be an Airbus A350, known for its capabilities in long-haul travel. Jörg Schuler, CEO of Diehl Aviation, stated, “We are incredibly proud to have won the Crystal Cabin Award together with Qantas for the Wellbeing Zone. With this solution, we are significantly enhancing the flight experience to make ultra-long-haul flights even more enjoyable for all passengers. This success shows the importance of a constructive and cooperative partnership with our customer Qantas.”
The development of the Wellbeing Zone was made possible by a close collaboration between Qantas and Diehl Aviation, which involved forming an interdisciplinary team that focused on innovating compact and lightweight cabin components. The team utilized new materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, including computational fluid dynamics, to achieve their design goals. These innovations led to a reduction in development time, weight, and noise levels, and introduced industry-first insulated double-glazed doors that are only 2mm thick, reducing the door weight by half.
Diehl Aviation is a division of Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG and includes Diehl Aerospace, a joint venture with Thales. As a system supplier, Diehl Aviation serves major aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer, along with military partners and manufacturers of eVTOL aircraft. With over 4,400 employees, the company continues to contribute significantly to advancements in aircraft systems and cabin solutions.