Crystal Cabin Awards: These are the 3 most innovative aircraft seats in 2026
February 17, 2026
The Crystal Cabin Awards have announced the 24 finalists for this year’s honours, which recognise aircraft interiors innovations across eight categories: accessibility, cabin concepts, passenger comfort, cabin technologies, in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC)/digital services, sustainability, breakthrough start-ups, and university submissions for the future of flight.
The Awards received numerous submissions from global airlines, design studios, manufacturers, industry suppliers, startups, and universities. Organisers published a shortlist of 85 candidates in December, following an initial review of their qualifications for the award. The finalists were selected by an expert panel of judges, narrowing the field to three entries by category.
Crystal Cabin Awards finalists for cabin comfort
The cabin concepts category recognises innovations that redefine cabin space through design, technology, and enhancement of the passenger experience. Candidates range from suites and shared spaces to new cabin layouts.
This year’s three finalists include two airline suites and a first class convertible seat concept that provides flexibility in premium travel, all of which have pushed the boundaries of design to make flying more comfortable.
ANA, Acumen Design Associates present THE Room FX
THE Room FX was developed by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and London-based design firm Acumen Design Associates. It saves weight and space by combining two seats into a single, compact frame, providing greater comfort and seating capacity. The suite is manufactured by French specialists at Safran Seating.
An innovative mechanism keeps the backrest fixed while the legrest moves, maintaining a continuous lie-flat surface. The seat is extra-wide (41.5” in all and 27” at the waist), giving passengers the flexibility to adjust their posture while seated. It extends to a 76.5” lie-flat surface. ANA has equipped the seat with a 24” HD in-flight entertainment screen, wireless charging, AC power, as well as USB-A and USB-C power ports. All suites have sliding privacy doors, and there is a movable privacy panel between twin suites in the centre of the aircraft.
The airline first unveiled THE Room FX suite at the 55th Paris Air Show last year and is launching it on its Boeing 787-9, which is equipped with 48 suites. The Japanese carrier is rolling out THE Room FX gradually this year on major international routes.
“ANA is dedicated to providing the highest level of customer experience and is investing in the future of the most advanced and comfortable travel with the new ‘THE Room FX’ seat,” said Tomoji Ishii, Executive Vice President, Customer Experience of ANA, during the new suite’s unveiling. “This seat represents our commitment to exceeding expectations and shaping the future of luxury flight.”
Air France, Design Investment & Stelia Aerospace present the new Air France ‘La Première’ first class suite
The new Air France ‘La Première’ first class suite was developed by Geneva-based design firm Design Investment in partnership with Air France and aircraft seating specialists at Stelia Aerospace. The new ‘La Première’ concept focuses on making passengers feel at home in the skies with flexibility of movement for different activities and a peaceful ambience for the journey.
It offers separate sitting and sleeping areas within a private suite that feels like a studio apartment. In addition to 32-inch screens at every seat and bed, the bed features a split mattress that allows for a variety of sleeping positions. To complete the residential feel, curtains provide privacy. Passengers can control all suite functions via a tablet and will find ample storage space for personal items.
The new ‘La Première’ is already flying on the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, in a four-abreast arrangement.
Thompson Aero Seating’s flexible VantageNOVA First rounds-out the Crystal Cabin finalists for cabin comfort
Thompson Aero Seating has also earned a spot among the Crystal Cabin Award finalists for its VantageNOVA First, a flexible seating solution that transforms from a single seat to a double- or four-seat configuration for shared dining or conversation. The innovative “Star” arrangement at the centre allows up to four travellers to sit directly facing each other.
Importantly, the space-efficient concept delivers a premium, first-class-style experience without reducing seat density in the forward business-class cabin.
The Crystal Cabin Award judges will select the winners in a final vote at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, with the results announced and coveted trophies presented at a special ceremony on April 14 during AIX.
Featured Image: Thompson Aero Seating
