Aircraft seat manufacturer Collins Aerospace and technology provider Panasonic Avionics have unveiled a new business class concept designed to offer passengers a “cinematic” experience.
The MAYA concept is described as “a transformative vision for a next-generation business class suite”, and features a curved 45-inch ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition, OLED display with headphone-less audio system.
The suite also features the ADAPT controller which syncs to passengers’ electronic devices, providing “curated control of the seating environment and supporting advanced mobility, sensory, cognitive and language accommodations to passengers of varying abilities”.
Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s CEO Ken Sain said that the Astrova Curve OLED was three times larger than typical screens and the first Ultra-Widescreen CinemaScope (21:9) display in the sky.
Sain added that “Based on seat geometry and viewing angles, MAYA delivers a 50 per cent more immersive viewing experience than sitting in a theatre”.
The suite was unveiled at this week’s 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg – it’s likely to be several years before the MAYA concept is seen on an aircraft – no timeline or potential customers have been confirmed as yet.
For Business Traveller’s recent feature looking at some of the new business class seats and suites being launched this year, see:
Commenting on the news Ed Dryden, president of Interiors at Collins Aerospace, said:
“MAYA is the fusion of enhanced physical, digital and smart technologies that exponentially enhance the cabin experience in ways individual solutions are unable to accomplish on their own.
“Unprecedented customization and user control provides uniquely personal in-flight experiences – bridging historical gaps in accessibility, enabling multi-dimensional comfort and facilitating immersive in-flight entertainment.”
