HAMBURG, Germany – Collins Aerospace, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Lake Forest, California, unveiled their new business class suite, “MAYA,” at the 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.
MAYA brings together the design and technology expertise of both companies to improve comfort, passenger immersion, accessibility and sustainability in air travel.
At the heart of the suite is a 45″ Astrova Curve ultra-wide, ultra-high resolution OLED display with a headphone-free audio system, providing an immersive viewing experience. The suite syncs with passengers' electronic devices via the ADAPT controller, providing individual control of the seat environment and supporting a range of mobility, sensory, cognitive and language needs.
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“MAYA is a fusion of enhanced physical, digital and smart technologies that dramatically improve the cabin experience in ways no individual solution could achieve on its 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 construction to reduce waste. The design supports modularity for mid-life upgrades, simplifying disassembly and improving the recycling process.
“MAYA is the product of a collaboration between a leading in-flight technology provider and the largest aircraft seat manufacturer to create the future of business class for the next generation of tech-savvy passengers,” said Ken Thayne, CEO of Panasonic Avionics Co., Ltd. “The seamlessly integrated 45-inch Astrova Curve OLED display is three times larger than a typical screen and is the first ultra-widescreen Cinemascope (21:9) display in the air, the same screen format as a movie theater. Based on the seat shape and viewing angle, MAYA delivers a viewing experience that is 50% more immersive than sitting in a movie theater.”
