Finnair renews aircraft interiors, lighting designed to simulate natural sunlight

The design of Finnair aircraft cabin interiors is being completely renewed. The
changes will affect seat textiles, carpeting, blinds, lighting and wall panel
surfaces. 
 
"The new lighter atmosphere brings a feeling of space and freshness to the
passenger cabins, and these were the most important aims in the redesign of the
interior atmosphere," says Sari Fairchild, Director of service product
development. 
 
The textiles used in the aircraft take a step from the familiar Finnair blue
towards a shade of light blue-grey. 
 
The new seat covering textiles are a pale blue and decorated with a circular
line pattern, which brings shape and elegance to the overall look. The dominant
colour in the Business Class sections of the cabin are lighter than in Economy. 
 
A special feature of the interiors is that the colour theme responds in
different ways to changes in the lighting. 
 
"We are making use of Scenario cabin lighting, which represents
state-of-the-art technology and changes automatically according to conditions,"
explains Fairchild. "The lighting simulates the daily rhythm of the sun's
movement, which makes it easier for passengers to adapt to new time zones even
before they leave the aircraft." 
 
Other small, fresh details are also being added to the cabins.
 
Textiles used for blankets and pillows in both class compartments have also
been renewed. In Business Class a quilted blanket replaces the combined blanket
and duvet cover. In Economy, a new lime-tinted pillow and soft micro-fleece
blanket will add a touch of subtle colour. 
 
The new interior makes its debut on Finnair's new Airbus A330 aircraft on the
flight to New York leaving today, Monday April 6. Finnair will take delivery of
four Airbus A330 aircraft over the course of the current year, and the new
interior will feature in all of them. 
 
The interior design is the work of the Swiss designer Christine Lüdeke, who
specialises in aircraft interiors, together with materials company Lantal, also
of Switzerland. Both are long-term Finnair partners. 
 
Aircraft interiors present their own special design challenges, and make tough
demands on fabrics and other material. The materials used must fulfil strict
industry specifications, be durable under constant use, and look good for long
periods. 
 
The entire Finnair fleet will be given a face-lift, and the new look will be
seen in all Finnair aircraft cabin interiors within two years. To minimise
costs, the refurbishment programme will be implemented at the same time as
aircraft undergo their regular maintenance work. 
 
"When passengers step onto an aircraft fitted with this light new interior,
they will experience a more spacious and lighter atmosphere," says Finnair's
Markku Remes, who is responsible for customer experience. "For my part, I see a
project that has lasted 2 years, and in which many people across our
organisation have participated." Remes describes the process and its background
in his corporate blog which can be read in its entirety at
http://blogs.finnair.com/2009/04/06/interior/. 

Images of the new interiors can be viewed in the Finnair Image Bank at
www.finnair.com/gallery, search word: A330. Log-in is not required to access the
Images. 
 
Finnair Plc
Communications
6.4.09
 
For more information, please contact Sari Fairchild tel. +358 9 818 2857 or
Finnair Media Desk, media.desk(a)finnair.com tel. +358 9 818 4020. 
Finnair's blog: http://blogs.finnair.com
Photobank: www.finnair.com/gallery
Finnair Group website: www.finnairgroup.com
via.Helsinki: www.viahelsinki.com