A device to lift aircraft passengers with reduced mobility into and out of their seat. Converting a cabin crew jump seat into a spot for a wheelchair. More aids for the visually impaired.

Momentum is building in the aerospace accessibility sector, with many developments under way.

Solutions that allow the viable use of passenger wheelchairs onboard and the safe and dignified carriage of passengers with reduced mobility, and features that help passengers with vision and hearing impairment safely move around the cabin have moved beyond the concept stage.

Products are in development.

But the pace of certification to allow airlines to put these solutions onboard remains painfully slow, highlighted by Air4All/Delta Flight Products’ solution aimed at allowing a passenger with reduced mobility to fly in their own wheelchair. The solution, which has been in development since 2019, has aircraft manufacturers and airlines ready to deploy it, says aviation accessibility consultant Christopher Wood, but certification remains a goal.

“We are still progressing towards certification, but at times it is like watching tectonic plates move,” he says.

With more than a billion people worldwide living with mobility challenges, and this figure increasing, progress can’t come soon enough.

Many of the solutions under development will be on display at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), in Hamburg, Germany in April, with some closer to approval than others.

They include J&C Aero’s Jump Seat Duo convertible jump seat, which can be quickly converted from a cabin attendant seat to an onboard wheelchair for passengers who need it.

J&C Aero has been developing the seat for more than three years and is in the final stage of European certification. “The final design configuration will be presented at AIX,” says J&C Aero head of design Maksim Jurkov.

He predicts the seat could be flying late this year.

Letronics’ Wiselift AnySeat allows passengers with reduced mobility to be transferred safely, comfortably, and with dignity into any aircraft seat. Because the power lift solution is based at the airport and not on an aircraft, it doesn’t require lengthy aircraft modifications or certification programs. The company is working closely with “a few airlines”, says marketing manager Connie Villalpando, anticipating a launch very soon. The sling remains under the passenger throughout the flight.

“AnySeat requires no manual lifting so it’s safer for crew and passengers,” Villalpando says.

The AeroSlide transfer system is also designed to eliminate the manual lifting of passengers, with the aisle wheelchair using a seamless mechanical glide, according to Singapore-based Mobility Assist. It features a built-in telescopic plate that extends laterally to create a stable bridge across the gap to the aircraft seat, allowing ground staff to slide a passenger into the seat, without injury to staff, and safeguarding the passenger’s dignity. The company has developed an optimised prototype and is looking to launch the solution in Asia within two to three years.

Collins Aerospace will display its Prime solution at AIX following product improvements over the last year. Prime allows people with reduced mobility to remain in their powered wheelchair throughout their journey.

The solution allows powered wheelchairs to roll easily onboard and be secured in place, or wheelchair users to transfer directly to a seat, explains Shawn Raybell, director of business development, cabin products.

The solution features passenger amenities, including a tray table, reading light, power outlets, and air gasper, just like the experience in any other seat.

Collins is also taking the latest evolution of its accessible toilet concept to AIX, featuring an enhanced passenger experience with more room.

Diehl Aviation anticipates its Space3 accessible toilet for long-haul aircraft could enter service in “the very near future”. Space3 combines two of three lavatory units into one large wheelchair-accessible space. The solution has received strong interest from airlines and aircraft manufacturers, says Diehl.

Airbus, meanwhile, has come up with the Airspace U (Universal) Suite concept, which would allow reduced-mobility passengers to travel safely and seamlessly in their own wheelchairs. The suite features a robust restraint system to safely secure the wheelchair to the cabin floor. The suite could also be used by other passengers, such as those with visual, hearing or cognitive impairments or medical transportation needs.

Accessibility developments also include passengers with hearing and vision disabilities, with these solutions facing an easier certification path.

Diehl’s adaptive user routing system comprises an accessible toilet layout with a smart digital layer. It features an intuitive multi-sensory design with adaptive digital guidance for blind and deaf passengers, with a Bluetooth beacon or airline app automatically activating personalised accessibility features.

It has high-contrast surfaces, tactile guidance, braille and distinct control shapes, with safety announcements visually presented on an integrated mirror display. Diehl believes it could be onboard within two years.

Accessibility groups helped to create the concept, including through a hands-on technology demonstrator.

“One comment we hear repeatedly is that this is the first time an aircraft lavatory feels understandable and predictable to use, and that it allows people to use it independently and with dignity,” says Diehl customer innovation engineer Tammo Bahns.

Schneller has embedded braille, tactile text and raised pictograms directly into certified aircraft laminates to help guide passengers with vision disabilities around the cabin, with markings able to be applied to seats, armrests, toilets and galleys.

“This is very much a production-ready solution,” says principal designer Roma Rupani, anticipating near-term introduction.

Safran Passenger Innovations has developed a solution to transcribe cabin speaker PA announcements to text which can be viewed on its seatback RAVE in-flight entertainment system in real time, with announcements translated into the passenger’s selected language.