The annual Crystal Cabin Awards (CCA) ceremony is coming up in April, and the honor at stake for excellence in aircraft interior has the competition upping the ante.
Each year, the most innovative minds present ideas for the newest commodities in plane design.
Judges consider usability, cost-effectiveness, and unique features of the entry when deciding who will receive the prestigious prize.
CCA will take place in Hamburg, Germany from April 9-11 for 2013.
After releasing a list of 21 finalists, CNN assembled a list of the 12 most eye-catching designs. (See photos).
We've narrowed the prime choices down even further based on market popularity-these three contestants will surely be the finalists at this year's Crystal Cabin Awards.
Take our word for it.
1. TU Delft's Tray Table Cabinet
It's about time the airplane tray did more than just balance your plastic cup of Cola and a book, and Delft University of Technology agrees. They've come up with a cabinet that goes from folding table to multi-compartment storage area. Put your tablet, smart phone, wallet and keys down. Plug your headphones and USB right into the side. Plus: there's still space for your drink in the right hand corner.
Going to the bathroom on a plane can be quite the excursion: hike down the aisle, avoiding sleeping heads falling in your way, then squash into the tiny cubicle that is the lavatory, holding onto the metal bar while trying not to topple over from turbulence, pants around your ankles. No more, if the Germany-based University of Applied Sciences gets their bid in the competition. They have entered a bathroom design that not only caters to larger-sized customers or patrons in wheelchair, but to any flier who has ever wished for a bit more space. The toilet's diagonal positioning creates increased comfort, and makes it much more wheelchair accessible.
3. Zodiac Seat's Reversible Seat
Perfect for a business meeting while en route to the next business meeting, the Reversible Seat will be an ideal option for flying entrepreneurs, not to mention large families or tour groups. The orientation of the seat sits on a swivel, and can be moved around with haste and not too much effort. The base-frame can also be slid forward, to increase foot space below.
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