As business aviation honors its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through the industry’s CLIMBING. FAST. initiative, more and more operators, completion centers, designers and OEMs are paying attention to making cabin interiors increasingly sustainable.
Designing and building cabin interiors based on the manufacturing processes and recycling potential of the materials can go a long way toward the overall reduction of life-cycle carbon emissions. Because it’s not just the emissions produced by the aircraft itself that matters, but also the carbon created by the manufacturing of its individual parts and components – such as seats, carpets, countertops and other materials used to construct passenger cabins.
“Clients are more interested now in sustainable materials during interior refurbishment discussions.”
James Logue Director of Maintenance at Latitude 33 Aviation
In fact, according to the Aerospace Technology Institute, cabins are responsible for a significant proportion of an aircraft’s environmental impact – accounting for 10% of an aircraft’s empty weight and assuming the cabin interior is replaced four to five times during the life of the airframe.
“Clients are more interested now in sustainable materials during interior refurbishment discussions,” said James Logue, director of maintenance at Latitude 33 Aviation, a charter, management and sales company based in Southern California. Materials such as bamboo for woodwork and biodegradable options including wool are gaining attention throughout the industry, Logue said.
“For select clients, sustainability is a high priority. Across the aviation industry, there is a growing awareness of the potential consequences of overconsumption and the importance of environmental stewardship.”
Natalie Rodriguez Principal at Natalie Rodríguez Luxury Design, LLC
Sustainable materials for aircraft seats are also a big part of the equation, including artificial or so-called “vegan” leather and “upcycled” or repurposed leather from various sources, including discarded scraps and offcuts.
Ultimately, the most sustainable choice for an aircraft interior is often the one already installed. Revarnishing or painting existing woodwork eliminates the need for additional tree harvesting, and cleaning and re-dyeing leather seats avoids the chemically intensive process required to produce new leather.
Supplies of sustainable cabin materials may increase as the CLIMBING. FAST. industry initiative gains momentum. The industry is working to reduce emissions from aircraft and engines as well as implementing sustainability best practices.
Airframe Manufacturers’ Wide-Ranging Green Initiatives
Cabin sustainability is a key design factor for business aircraft OEMs. “Part of our approach to reducing environmental impact at Gulfstream is to design aircraft with a long service life to mitigate the need to consume resources to build replacement aircraft,” said Gulfstream President Mark Burns. “Gulfstream interiors also utilize natural materials, including wool and cotton.”
Textron Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Christi Tannahill said her team is committed to designing interiors that prioritize functionality and comfort while incorporating “responsibly harvested and 100% sustainable materials.” Designers use natural fibers like wool, cotton, linen and silk for their inherent beauty and rapid renewability, Tannahill said.
Dye formulas adhere to strict environmental protocols. “For veneers, we employ selective cutting practices to protect forests, and our suppliers are proud members of the Forestry Stewardship Council,” said Tannahill. “Wool and silk carpets are also 100% natural, biodegradable and renewable. A key carpet supplier, Scott Group Custom Carpets, is Green Label Plus certified.”
“We want to make a difference, and by creating pragmatic, innovative solutions that support the sustainability narrative, we can foster change.”
Melanie Prince Head of Innovation at F/LIST
New and Innovative Materials
“Across the aviation industry, there is a growing awareness of the potential consequences of overconsumption and the importance of environmental stewardship,” said Natalie Rodríguez, principal at Natalie Rodríguez Luxury Design, LLC, which offers cabin solutions from top manufacturers such as F/LIST, a global provider of interior designs for business aircraft.
“We want to make a difference, and by creating pragmatic, innovative solutions that support the sustainability narrative, we can foster change,” said F/LIST Head of Innovation Melanie Prince.
But business aircraft owners may find themselves a bit overwhelmed by all the new and innovative sustainable material options that are constantly appearing on the market. To solve that challenge, design consultant PriestmanGoode has collaborated with its supply chain contacts to develop a database called Material Mind.
“We hope it will help move the conversation forward by facilitating decision-making on sustainable choices and providing the tracking needed to support a fully circular system for material recycling,” said PriestmanGoode Color, Material and Finish Creative Lead Kate Montgomery.
“An owner can find the greenest solution on the market, locally sourced and sustainable. The trouble is, certain flame-resistant requirements, like those found in CFR Part 135, render that null.”
Autumn Duntz Principal at Autumn Elizabeth Design
Linking Safety With Sustainability
As with all new innovations in aviation, safety must take top consideration. Sometimes safety-based regulations present challenges for designers who want to use certain types of highly sustainable materials throughout the cabin. “An owner can find the greenest solution on the market, locally sourced and sustainable,” said Autumn Duntz, principal at Autumn Elizabeth Design. “The trouble is, certain flame-resistant requirements, like those found in CFR Part 135, render that null.”
Sustainability and Future Cabins
Aerodynamic innovations have led to business aircraft becoming up to 35% more fuel efficient than previous generations. Now it’s becoming clear that improvements in passenger cabins will also contribute to significant reductions in business aviation’s carbon footprint.
Learn more about NBAA’s environmental sustainability resources at nbaa.org/sustainability.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.