DESIGN: Air 4 All Systems – Wheelchair seating solution – finalist in Crystal Cabin Awards

• DESIGN: AirLounge™ from Collins Aerospace, Finnair, PriestmanGoode, Tangerine – finalist in Crystal Cabin Awards
• DESIGN: AirSleeper Premium Economy concept – entrant in Crystal Cabin Awards
• DESIGN: Air 4 All Systems – Wheelchair seating solution – finalist in Crystal Cabin Awards

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Over the next few weeks, I will feature some of the more interesting innovations proposed – as judged by me – in the shortlisted entries for the annual Crystal Cabin Awards. This creative playfield is where designers, engineers and visionaries plan the future of the aircraft passenger experience. Returning as an in-person event on 14 June 2022, the Awards will see an international expert jury at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg decide who will win the aviation industry’s trophies this year.

Air 4 All Systems – Wheelchair seating solution

Air 4 All is a new system that revolutionises air travel for passengers with reduced mobility (“PRM”) by enabling powered wheelchair users to remain seated in their own wheelchair for the entire journey.

The patented design – with wheelchair guidance and locking system – finally offers equal access to comfort, safety and dignity for all passengers. The biggest barrier in the past has been that giving greater space to passengers in wheelchairs would have reduced seat count and resulted in a loss of revenue for airlines. Air 4 All solves this and has the added benefit of enabling airlines to retain the design of their cabin on every seat. It will also facilitate a smoother boarding and disembarking experience for PRM and will reduce the number of wheelchairs damaged through poor handling. Entry documentation from the consortium of Flying Disabled, PriestmanGoode, SWS Certification and Sunrise Medical

2PAXfly Takeout

The aviation industry has a difficult road ahead when it comes to sustainability. It’s going to require a relative revolution in technology, with ‘electric planes’ or hydrogen planes, or some form of jet engine that doesn’t require a carbon based fuel. And that is going to require the development of an alternative to jet engines probably.

It’s a big ask. It will take time to develop.

This move to home grown and manufactured SAF is a first step – maybe even a baby step in a very long road of innovation. In the long run, US$200 million won’t even touch the sides.

One of the complaints from the wheelchair using travelling community is the inability to use their own wheelchairs on the plane, having to use aircraft supplied chairs, and stowing their wheelchairs in the hold. This can involve a cumbersome and time-consuming process for passengers and airline staff. Not to mention anxiety for the passenger that the wheelchair will arrive at the other end ready for them.

I am no disability expert, but, I think this would only be a solution for some wheelchair assisted passengers. It doesn’t look like it would work for larger cushioned motorised wheelchairs, which cannot be accommodated currently in the cabin, and require a portable lift to move the non-ambulant passenger from chair to seat.

However, having said that for some disabled passengers this could be an equitable solution for both travellers and airlines. There is much to be done to make airlines more disability compliment, something that will be needed more and more as we baby boomers age.

Here are some more images all on a Boeing 737:

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