Airbus Launches New A320 Family Interior

1337Delta764 · Wed Sep 17, 2014 4:45 am

http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/new...0-family-with-order-from-delta-ai/

Airbus has launched a new interior for the A320 family to compete with the Boeing Sky Interior, with DL as the launch customer for the A321s they have on order.

However, Boeing has recently updated the 737 family with the SpaceBin Interior with even more capacity, so I wonder how these new Airbus pivot bins compare.

AirlineCritic · Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:07 am

Nice. And a good move by Airbus.

Although I am not sure I like the fact that all that luggage is hanging above our heads when we fly. Sign of the times, I guess. People should check in their huge carry-ons... IMHO, of course.

Flyglobal · Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:43 am

Quoting 1337Delta764 (Thread starter):
Airbus has launched a new interior for the A320 family to compete with the Boeing Sky Interior, with DL as the launch customer for the A321s they have on order.

However, Boeing has recently updated the 737 family with the SpaceBin Interior with even more capacity, so I wonder how these new Airbus pivot bins compare.

Isn't it the same thing as the Boeing one?
It is an isue how much we want to store above our heads and how much the overhead bins should reach the aisle, limiting space there.

Regarding who has the biggest: Basically its a matter of outside dimensions. So the answer is simple: whatever one chosses on remaining space between the aisles - given apple to apple: the Airbus will always win, simply due to the larger outside dimensions. and cabin width.

Only the new single aisle Russian plane will beat it as its cabin width is supposed to be larger then the Airbus A320. This will be the new champion then. Not sure about the Cinese Comac.

Regards

Flyglobal

aerokiwi · Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:16 am

A320 interiors are looking pretty outdated now - the Sky Interior is pretty impressive in my reckoning. This development from Airbus looks to be introducing A350-style bins into the 320, which are remarkably clunky in design. Amazing to see the Europeans trailing the Americans in interior design.

Of course neither of these address the fundamental window issue with interiors for passengers - the 737 has them placed far too low while the 320 retains the itsy bitsy teeny weeny portholes they've always had.

777ER · Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:18 am

Will this new design feature the roof lightning as per the BSI design or is it simply just bigger bins?

AirPacific747 · Wed Sep 17, 2014 9:22 am

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 3):
while the 320 retains the itsy bitsy teeny weeny portholes they've always had.

Exaggeration much?

Kiwirob · Wed Sep 17, 2014 11:19 am

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 3):
Of course neither of these address the fundamental window issue with interiors for passengers - the 737 has them placed far too low while the 320 retains the itsy bitsy teeny weeny portholes they've always had.

I prefer the smaller ones I can look out of rather than the lower down 737 ones which I can't.

airbazar · Wed Sep 17, 2014 11:44 am

Now to educate passengers on how to store their luggage

It's amazing how many people store their carry-on luggage "sideways".

jumpseat · Wed Sep 17, 2014 12:22 pm

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 3):
while the 320 retains the itsy bitsy teeny weeny portholes they've always had.

I work on the A320 and have flown on one plenty of times as a passenger and I can't say I have ever thought this. You're entitled to your opinion though

parapente · Wed Sep 17, 2014 12:42 pm

I think both Boeing and Airbus have now both got near 'perfect' 200 seater aircraft for the job they have to do.

There is no longer LCC's. They are now the norm - the standard.And the standard is carry on luggage. These size bins mean each person can carry on a full size wheel' y now - which is all you need unless a 2 week holiday with children - so for that you pay the extra in the hold.

There are simply a few HCC's left going out of 'top end' hubs.

PS It will be a hard job replacing these aircraft IMHO. They are so darn efficient!

aerokiwi · Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:08 pm

Quoting AirPacific747 (Reply 5):
Exaggeration much?

Nope. But they are better positioned than the 737.

Quoting jumpseat (Reply 8):
I work on the A320 and have flown on one plenty of times as a passenger and I can't say I have ever thought this. You're entitled to your opinion though

First thing I noticed on the A320s...the A380 too. Like how some people are convinced the extra inch on a 320 is totally noticeable.

But like I said, the 737 cabin windows are annoyingly low, which Boeing has slightly addressed by scalloping the cabin walls on the Sky Interior.

OA412 · Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:20 pm

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 10):
Nope. But they are better positioned than the 737.

Yes you are exaggerating. They are not "itsy bitsy teeny weeny portholes." They're smaller, but it's not noticeable, and I can actually see out the A320's windows without having to contort myself. I prefer that over the 737's larger windows.

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 10):
First thing I noticed on the A320s

Funny, I never noticed a marked difference between the two.

SXDFC · Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:55 pm

Is there any other pictures or differences to the cabin itself? Would be nice if Airbus offered mood lighting like Boeing does for the BSI. Would also be neat to see a different sidewall panel IMHO.

FriendlySkies · Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:28 pm

Quoting SXDFC (Reply 12):
Would be nice if Airbus offered mood lighting like Boeing does for the BSI. Would also be neat to see a different sidewall panel IMHO.

I think Airbus already offers mood lighting as an option.

DarkSnowyNight · Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:46 pm

Quoting FriendlySkies (Reply 13):

I think Airbus already offers mood lighting as an option.

Across their entire line, yes. In fact VS' 343s featured that at least 13 years ago (though likely further back than that).

silentbob · Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:06 pm

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 3):
Of course neither of these address the fundamental window issue with interiors for passengers - the 737 has them placed far too low while the 320 retains the itsy bitsy teeny weeny portholes they've always had.

yet the vast majority of time I'm on a flight the person sitting in the window seat pulls the shade down immediately and never opens it.

Prost · Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:35 pm

Delta is retrofitting the interiors of their A319/A320 to this style of pivot bin, so it's not surprising the A321 will be delivered with this new style bin.

1337Delta764 · Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:50 pm

Quoting Prost (Reply 16):
Delta is retrofitting the interiors of their A319/A320 to this style of pivot bin, so it's not surprising the A321 will be delivered with this new style bin.

Not exactly; the A319/A320 bins DL is retrofitting is an aftermarket product by Zodiac Aerospace, while these new bins I think are Airbus' own design.

kdhurst380 · Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:29 pm

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 10):
First thing I noticed on the A320s...the A380 too. Like how some people are convinced the extra inch on a 320 is totally noticeable.

But like I said, the 737 cabin windows are annoyingly low, which Boeing has slightly addressed by scalloping the cabin walls on the Sky Interior.

The wider cabin on the A320 is definitely noticeable if you've transferred straight off a 737, far more airy. The windows being smaller like others have said, are compensated by the fact that you don't have to strain your neck to look out of them.

L0VE2FLY · Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:48 pm

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 3):
Of course neither of these address the fundamental window issue with interiors for passengers

I think both the 737 & A320 windows are okay, as long as they don't feature the gimmicky 787-style e-tint. When flying on the 787 you have absolutely no control over your window, a problem you'd never face on a 737, A320, etc...

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 3):
the 320 retains the itsy bitsy teeny weeny portholes they've always had.

Have you ever been on an A380?!

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 10):
First thing I noticed on the A320s...the A380 too. Like how some people are convinced the extra inch on a 320 is totally noticeable.

Are you sure it's just one inch? The A380's windows look much smaller than the A320/330.

BD338 · Wed Sep 17, 2014 11:07 pm

Quoting airbazar (Reply 7):
Now to educate passengers on how to store their luggage It's amazing how many people store their carry-on luggage "sideways".

yup, a lot of folks can't even follow the instruction to "place you bag with the wheels facing out" instruction to make the bag fit, what hope do we have if they have to place them on edge!

Love the fact the photo shows bags all roughly the same size and construction, can't see the same efficiency in reality, though I'm sure it'll help.

aerokiwi · Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:54 am

Quoting OA412 (Reply 11):
Yes you are exaggerating. They are not "itsy bitsy teeny weeny portholes."

Nothing gets passed you! Sigh.

Quoting OA412 (Reply 11):
They're smaller, but it's not noticeable,

Oh well that's definitive then, well argued. Except, I noticed it. Smaller, different shape, but better level than the 737.

Quoting silentbob (Reply 15):
yet the vast majority of time I'm on a flight the person sitting in the window seat pulls the shade down immediately and never opens it.

True, but doesn't negate the fact. Being 6'3, I actually find I get a better view outside from the aisle seat on a 737 due to the low positioning of the window line.

Quoting kdhurst380 (Reply 18):
The wider cabin on the A320 is definitely noticeable if you've transferred straight off a 737, far more airy. The windows being smaller like others have said, are compensated by the fact that you don't have to strain your neck to look out of them.

Oh I see, I'm allowed to notice the inch (I don't), but not allowed to notice the window size, shape and placement (though I do).

Quoting L0VE2FLY (Reply 19):
Have you ever been on an A380?!

Yes, several times on MH, EK and QF, and the cabin windows are hilarious. They're tiny but the "interior" of the window is enormous in comparison, I suspect to give the impression of a large window. The distance between the "interior" and "exterior" window adds to the sense of looking out a porthole. It's partly why I find flying on a 747 so much more pleasurable as a plane geek.

Quoting L0VE2FLY (Reply 19):
Are you sure it's just one inch? The A380's windows look much smaller than the A320/330.

The one inch refers to the oft-argues extra inch of cabin width each passenger supposedly gets on the A320 series over the 737, be it the passenger seat or the aisle.

Meanwhile, so far a pretty tedious cabin redesign, nothing special. I was very skeptical of the Sky Interior, and yes it's quite gimmicky. but it works. And it make an old design look snazzy new. I find that surprising given the European reputation for snazziness.

PGNCS · Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:07 am

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 10):
Quoting AirPacific747 (Reply 5):Exaggeration much?
Nope. But they are better positioned than the 737.

Of COURSE it's exaggeration.

With thousands of pilot hours logged on both aircraft I have had exactly zero passengers complain about this on either airplane, and I have heard more than my share of complaints about everything from tight seat pitch to turbulence standing in the door saying goodbye.

You are welcome to your opinion, but the vast majority of people could not possibly care less.

DTWPurserBoy · Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:49 am

Quoting airbazar (Reply 7):

Now to educate passengers on how to store their luggage It's amazing how many people store their carry-on luggage "sideways".

One trick often used is to strategically place crew luggage in the proper position--sort of "monkey see, monkey do." Every once in a while it actually works.

OA412 · Thu Sep 18, 2014 2:48 am

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 21):
Nothing gets passed you! Sigh.

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 21):
Oh well that's definitive then, well argued. Except, I noticed it. Smaller, different shape, but better level than the 737.

Classy.

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 21):
Oh I see, I'm allowed to notice the inch (I don't), but not allowed to notice the window size, shape and placement (though I do).

Then conversely, why aren't others allowed to notice the extra inch, but not the window size?

AA94 · Thu Sep 18, 2014 2:53 am

Quoting kdhurst380 (Reply 18):
The wider cabin on the A320 is definitely noticeable if you've transferred straight off a 737, far more airy. The windows being smaller like others have said, are compensated by the fact that you don't have to strain your neck to look out of them.

I love the 737, but it feels like sitting in a cave compared to the A320.

aerokiwi · Thu Sep 18, 2014 3:27 am

Quoting PGNCS (Reply 22):
You are welcome to your opinion, but the vast majority of people could not possibly care less.

How kind of you.

It's a fact that the windows are smaller. Maybe it doesn't matter to "the majority of people" - I don't care. It matters to me, probably resulting from a combination of tallness and plane geekdom. And now you've heard it, after all those years flying. So tick that one off the list. How do you explain Boeing going for bigger cabin windows if it doesn't matter? How did they get that through the business case if it wasn't deemed of commercial value?

Oh and thanks for speaking on their ("the vast majority's) behalf by the way - the same could be said about liveries, marketing, aircraft in general.

But the point of this thread is the cabin redesign - which, to my mind, doesn't seem like a whole bunch based on the one picture (is there more?). And to me, personally, I'd have loved to see some kind of attempt to do what the Sky Interior has done and scallop the interior walls more to give the sense of larger windows. Or better still... larger windows. Airbus has the right alignment, just needs the bigger size and hazzah!

Quoting OA412 (Reply 24):
Classy.

Likewise. You made a definitive statement on behalf of humanity - I'd question that, though I love it when people do proclaim it. And yes, I'm using exaggerated language for effect. Sorry if I'm not an android.

Quoting OA412 (Reply 24):
Then conversely, why aren't others allowed to notice the extra inch, but not the window size?

I didn't say that at all - read again. People claim to notice the inch - fine. I don't. And I don't care. But if they're allowed to notice and opine on here endlessly about it, then surely others are equally allowed to notice other things and opine.

SXDFC · Thu Sep 18, 2014 4:22 am

Quoting FriendlySkies (Reply 13):
I think Airbus already offers mood lighting as an option.

I was reffering to it being installed on the A320 series ( if its not already ).

Having worked the -800s WN has in the new Sky Interior, I must say it feels like being on a spaceship. I wish Airbus's version looked a little more like that.. Hopefully soon we will see more pictures of this..

NASBWI · Thu Sep 18, 2014 5:06 am

Quoting SXDFC (Reply 27):
I must say it feels like being on a spaceship

That probably has more to do with the sculpting of the ceiling and sidewalls (along with the upward-sloping shape of the OHBs) than the mood lighting itself. VX's A319s and A320s have had mood lighting (albeit in a different color) since their inception (2007). And B6's A321s (all of them, not just the Mint jets) are equipped with a soft blue mood lighting setting for cruise (they transition to white depending on the setting). So, it can definitely be done; it's just a question of whether the airline wishes to exercise that option.

Airbus Launches New A320 Family Interior

Airbus Launches New A320 Family Interior

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