Airbus recently revealed a special A330neo full-size mockup at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX). Airbus introduced new airspace cabin features such as a new Hero Light and Welcome Panel, new linings for the interior sidewall, ceiling, and door frame panels, and electro-dimmable windows. The new features are expected to become available for customers in 2027/2028.
These new features are expected to drive consistency and enhance the overall passenger experience. The new elements are also supposed to contribute to weight savings of approximately 100 kg throughout the aircraft, which is equivalent to about 10 carry-on bags.
Moreover, the enhanced ceiling lighting at Doors 2, called the Airspace Welcome Panel, will feature the Airspace stencil pattern. This will be standard in all new A330neos from Q1 2026. Airbus will offer airlines to customize this.
At the same time, a new Airspace Hero Light will be introduced as a premium option for the A330neo in 2027. This will be a key differentiation opportunity for an airline in the Doors01 to Doors-2 area, customizable with 16 million colors and a unique pattern.
These customizable design elements will be the first of their kind in a widebody aircraft, consistent with the Airspace cross-program DNA.
The new sidewall will have a design language consistent with A350 and A320 Families Airspace cabins. Passengers will also benefit from additional comfort since the new sidewalls offer 5 mm extra shoulder clearance at every window seat and 50 mm more foot space. This will be realized because of the re-profiled dado panel at the floor level. According to Airbus engineering estimates, the new sidewall and dado panels will save about 85 kg. In addition to this, the new matching ceiling panels are also expected to save 10 kg of weight in the cabin.
The updated ceiling and sidewall offer a better appearance than older designs. They will also be available for retrofit on in-service A330 Family aircraft.
The new door-frame lining is being introduced in parallel. Its design simplifies installation and replacement by reducing the number of parts. Thanks to its refined geometry, the new lining also contributes to the overall aesthetic appearance of the aircraft.
Another new design development in the A330neo will be Gentex’s electro-dimmable windows. They are seamlessly adjustable, darken quickly, and can block more than 99.999% of visible and infrared light from the sun. Installation of the A330neos’ new sidewall panel will allow easy clip-in replacement or interchangeability between the electro-mechanical shade and the electro-dimmable windows’ parts.
Overall, Airbus’s new cabin features for the A330neo model are a remarkable development of aircraft interior design and passenger experience. The innovations are designed to improve comfort and contribute to weight savings. These new developments show Airbus’s commitment to passenger experience and outstanding design.
Photo credit: Airbus Aircraft
