MAIDEN VOYAGE IN THE AIR
Experiential Explorer Lufthansa Technik collaborates with Diehl Aerospace to develop an interior projection system for VIP cabins.
With the hours spent in the confines of a cabin on
yacht however, our Explorer aircraft allows passengers
arduous long-haul flights, passengers are often left
to travel to the other side of the globe within hours
pondering how they could better spend their time
and set up their own base camp for further activities.”
en route to a destination. Enter Lufthansa Technik,
The most striking feature of the concept is the large-
which has collaborated with Diehl Aerospace – a joint
scale projection system, which uses virtual content to
venture between Diehl Aviation and Thales – to develop
change the look and feel of the cabin. By integrating
an entirely new concept that transforms an aeroplane
projectors into the sidewall and ceiling, the moving
cabin into a multi-use living space.
images extend from the window belt across the entire
Named Explorer, the idea is based on the evolution
space, displaying personalised content with the help of
of superyachts, which have increasingly become more
software from Diehl. There’s a blue sky option and an
than just a means for travel, serving as a hotel room,
underwater scene with sealife, modes that are conducive
business lounge and entertainment space, as well as a
to work or relaxation, and even the possibility to create
base camp for excursions.
a flying discotheque.
In developing its concept, Lufthansa Technik’s
“By integrating the unique projection system of
specialists chose the wide-bodied Airbus A330 as a
Diehl, we have created an interior that exploits the
platform to bring the same approach to private aviation.
technology’s full potential for a VIP cabin,” comments
“In yacht building, multifunctional exploration vessels
Michael Bork, Aircraft Interior Architect in VIP and
have now become a class in their own right,” explains
Special Mission Aircraft Services at Lufthansa. “It is
Wieland Timm, Head of Sales in VIP and Special Mission
optimised under technical and aesthetic aspects to
Aircraft Services at Lufthansa. “For this fast-growing
provide an adequate framework for bringing a variety
target group of VIP world explorers, we have therefore
of atmospheres and virtual worlds to life, changing the
created a flying platform for the first time. Unlike a
overall look of the cabin by a fingertip.”
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