New MAYA Cabin Suite Concept Introduces a 45" Curved Screen on Planes

Panasonic Avionics and Collins Aerospace have unveiled the MAYA seat concept at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) on May 28, 2024. This next-generation business class seat features a 45" Curved OLED display, designed to provide an immersive in-flight experience for modern travelers.

Business Class Seat for the Next Generation

Ken Sain, CEO of Panasonic Avionics, reflected on the evolution of passenger experience during his speech at AIX. He highlighted advancements from motorized seats in the 1990s to flatbeds and innovative cabin layouts in subsequent decades. The 2020s have seen more privacy-focused designs and the adoption of OLED screens.

Sain posed a crucial question: "What will capture the imagination of the next generation of business class passengers over the next decade and beyond?" In response, Panasonic Avionics and Collins Aerospace developed the MAYA seat, targeting millennial and Gen Z travelers.

Immersive Digital Experience

Andrew Masson, Vice President of Product Management at Panasonic Avionics, explained that the MAYA seat transforms business class into an immersive digital experience. The 45" 5K OLED screen is central to this innovation, aimed at tech-savvy Gen X, Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and millennial passengers.

Masson emphasized that the MAYA suite's design ensures ease of use, even for less tech-savvy travelers. He suggested that once passengers experience the MAYA suite, returning to a standard business class seat would feel disappointing.

Concept Seat

Masson stressed that the MAYA seat is a culmination of various products in development, including the in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen. The companies are seeking feedback from airlines, and multiple airline CEOs have expressed excitement about the MAYA concept and its integrated products.

The rollout of Panasonic Avionics' innovations depends on seating manufacturers, with readiness expected by the end of 2026. Masson highlighted that MAYA aims to elevate the premium class experience, helping airlines differentiate themselves in competitive markets.

According to a joint statement from Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics, MAYA combines both companies' expertise in design, technology, and integration into a singular solution. The business class seat boasts exceptional ergonomics, advanced seating architecture, and integrated ARISE comfort technology, which optimizes cushion pressure, regulates temperature, and reduces vibration.

The MAYA suite also features the Astrova screen, launched at AIX in 2022, with a headphone-less audio system for a cinema-like experience, offering unprecedented immersion and personalization.