Etihad Airways' A380 wins cabin interior innovation award

Etihad Airways' A380 wins cabin interior innovation award

Etihad Airways has been named the winner of the coveted Crystal Cabin Award for its excellence in aircraft interior innovation for its Airbus A380 upper deck cabin.

The second-largest airline of the United Arab Emirates won the title in the "Premium Class & VIP" category.

The winning A380 upper deck includes three distinct passenger experiences - The Residence, First Apartments and Business Studios, and a luxurious lobby area.

The Residence is the world's first private three-room cabin on a commercial aircraft which has a living room, bedroom and bathroom. It is designed for two guests travelling together.

The First Apartments, which are 74 per cent larger than the current First Class Suites, has a separate bed and armchair in a single aisle concept.

The Business Studios in the Business Class offers guests 20 per cent more personal space.

Other than its luxurious furnishings, the upper deck cabin is designed to look like a boutique hotel with lighting influenced by geometric patterns and a ceiling resembling the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi.

At a ceremony in Hamburg, the award was presented to Etihad Airways and the members of the Etihad Design Consortium (EDC), a unique grouping of three brand and design agencies.

The EDC consists of members from Acumen Design Associates, Factorydesign and Honour Branding, who came together in 2008 to collaborate in the design and implementation of the A380 upper deck cabin.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said that by involving their guests and stakeholders in the research and design process from the very beginning, the airlines has "succeeded in creating a spectacular aircraft interior tailored to the needs of the sophisticated modern traveller".

wjeanne@sph.com.sg

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