INTERIOR MRO REPORT
Aft cabin boost Two industry players have teamed up to develop a solution that balances the need for increased revenue seating while adding features in rear of the A320 family to maximize space and reduce weight by MARY JANE PITTILLA
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KYPAX is the name of a new solution in the aft monument developed by Lufthansa Technik and Diehl Aerosystems to maximize cabin space Aviation engineers have been working for years to achieve the maximum seat count in the aircraft cabin while preserving passenger comfort and safety. This year, German manufacturers Lufthansa Technik and Diehl Aerosystems say they have solved this conundrum with SKYPAX, an enhanced A320 family densification solution. While the concept of reaching the maximum seat count on aircraft of the A320 family was developed some years ago, today’s known solutions for the aft monument – a combined high-density galley and double lavatory – still show considerable room for improvement, according to Lufthansa Technik and Diehl Aerosystems, which jointly developed the new High-Density Solution. When developing SKYPAX, the two companies focused on these improvement areas and came up with a substantially enhanced monument design. The SKYPAX aft monument is equipped with a camera-monitor system that provides direct view for crew during taxi, takeoff and landing. The Digital Direct View system has significant advantages over the additional monument-mounted cabin attendant seat used in currently available solutions.
Lufthansa Technik has developed a High-Density Solution for A320 family aircraft that provides a maximum of stowage options in the aft galley in combination with a double lavatory
The monument-mounted seat reduces the usable space inside the monument, causes high weight, substantial issues in handling and eventually high maintenance cost, the two firms say. Whereas in current line-fit and retrofits the galley and double lavatory are two separate units which are installed and linked in the aircraft, SKYPAX features an integrated monument that provides more space by sharing structures and systems and will require fewer adjustments and issues during installation. The SKYPAX aft monument also addresses today’s need for solutions which fully comply with latest PRM (persons with reduced mobility) regulations. The double lavatory is optionally equipped with a removable inner wall, allowing a person in a wheelchair to use the lavatory independently on their own. SKYPAX will start service in the second quarter of 2018. Lufthansa Technik displayed the retrofit at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg in April 2017. Then, in
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cooperation with Lufthansa Technik, the mock-up was introduced to the trade by Diehl Aerosystems in North America at Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas in September 2017, in Long Beach, California. The cabin mock-up was a highlight at this year’s trade shows. Simply by installing double lavatories alongside the aft galley to gain extra cabin space, the design helps operators maximize operating profit and fleet flexibility by enlarging their seat capacity, while also reducing maintenance costs and weight.
A modular design
The introduction of the Airbus A320neo with 180 passengers set a new standard for onboard capacity. European regulators have determined that the capacity of the A320 can be increased to a theoretical maximum of 195 seats. Current market trends, such as smart monuments, slimline and ultra-slim seats, lead more and more often to the modification of A320 aircraft equipped for 174 passengers or fewer. The new