Etihad B787 First Suite voted most Innovative Cabin Concept at Crystal Cabin Awards 2016

Acumen Design Associates has been recognised by The Crystal Cabin Awards as winner of the 2016 Cabin Concepts category for its design work on Etihad Airways’ innovative B787 First Suites.

The judges were particularly impressed with the ingenious use of space to give Etihad Airways’ smaller Boeing 787 First Suite the same level of comfort as the larger Airbus A380 offering.

The Crystal Cabin Award recognises international excellence in aircraft interior innovation, annually rewarding outstanding cabin products and concepts during the Aircraft Interiors trade fair in Hamburg.

Award entries are judged on the qualities of the designs with a particular focus on improvements in passenger comfort. Award winners are globally recognised as the leading companies in aircraft design.

The award marks the second consecutive year Acumen Design Associates and Etihad Airways have been recognised as leaders in aircraft cabin interior innovation, after the two companies were announced as winners of the Premium Class and VIP category for Etihad Airways’ ‘The Residence by Etihad’, ‘First Apartments’ and ‘Business Studios’ at the Crystal Cabin Awards 2015.

Ian Dryburgh, CEO and Founder of Acumen Design Associates, comments: "The Crystal Cabin Award Association is known as one of the leading aircraft interior design authorities in the world. Being recognised by this award for the second time in two years demonstrates the success of Etihad’s ambition and determination to set itself apart from any other airline in the world by offering the best passenger experience.”

“Acumen is proud to have helped Etihad Airways set a new benchmark for luxury aviation with a unique, forward-thinking, and now multi-award winning design project.”

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Yet again, the sheer depth of innovation which went into the creation of the revolutionary First Class cabin on our new fleet of Boeing 787s is being recognised by the industry’s most respected experts and professionals, as it was for our A380 in 2015. This vision has been driven by a co-creation approach with consumers and magnificently brought to reality by the many Etihad Airways employees involved in the project, together with the Etihad Design Consortium.”

“We continue to challenge the conventions of modern cabin architecture by throwing away the rule book and adopting a ‘blue sky’ approach to intelligent design and aesthetics, which will continue well into the future as we prepare for the arrival of our future Boeing 777X and Airbus A350 fleets.”

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For additional information, please contact:

XL Communications
Ben Ralph
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About Acumen
Acumen Design Associates is a multi-award winning product and transport design company, committed to delivering innovation and transformative design. During its 30 year history the company has created market leadership for many global blue-chip companies, designing disruptive products in sectors as diverse as aviation, marine, rail, life sciences, FMCG, and consumer product design. Acumen has worked with brands such as British Airways, Etihad, BP, Britax Childcare, Sunseeker International, Recaro, Lewmar and Amersham International.