Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics unveil next-gen business class tech suite
HAMBURG, Germany - Collins Aerospace in Charlotte, N.C. and Panasonic Avionics Corporation in Lake Forest, Calif. unveiled MAYA, a new business class suite, at the 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.
MAYA integrates the design and technology expertise of both companies, aiming to enhance comfort, passenger immersion, accessibility, and sustainability in air travel.
Central to the suite is a 45-inch Astrova Curve ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition OLED display with a headphone-less audio system, offering an immersive viewing experience. The suite syncs with passengers' electronic devices via the ADAPT controller, allowing personalized control of the seating environment and supporting various mobility, sensory, cognitive, and language needs.
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“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,” said Ed Dryden, president of Interiors at Collins Aerospace.
The MAYA suite also emphasizes sustainability, using recycled, reusable, and plant-based materials, along with STARLight composite structures to reduce waste. The design supports modularity for mid-life upgrades, simplifying disassembly and improving recycling processes.
Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s CEO Ken Sain said: “MAYA is the product of the leading inflight technology provider and the largest airplane seat manufacturer collaborating to create the future of business class for the next generation of tech-savvy passengers. The seamlessly integrated 45” Astrova Curve OLED display is 3 times larger than typical screens and the first Ultra-Widescreen CinemaScope (21:9) display in the sky – the same screen format in cinemas. Based on seat geometry and viewing angles, MAYA delivers a 50% more immersive viewing experience than sitting in a theater.”
