Fair in Hamburg: This is how the aircraft cabins of the future look like

The seats are flexible and can be turned so that compartments emerge as in an ICE. And these adapt to the needs of the passengers - be it a family or a business traveler. This is the vision of the manufacturer Airbus, what an aircraft cabin 2030 could look like.

If a family flies together, children's videos run on screens or even walls and windows, the light is adjusted. It looks quite different where business people want to sit together and work. They can throw business charts on the wall and communicate with their business partners.

If you have a wish, do not call the steward or the stewardess, but choose a drink on the touch screen and be served. The seats are individually configured for each individual passenger. "Some of it may be realized by 2030, others before, some never," said Ingo Wuggetzer, Airbus Vice-President for Cabin Marketing, in Hamburg.

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At the Aircraft Interiors Expo, which takes place in the Hanseatic city until 4 April, more than 500 exhibitors will show innovations for the aircraft cabin in the exhibition halls. This has become increasingly important for the manufacturers and especially the airlines. If price is not the key selling point, as is the case with budget airlines, then it's comfort, service and relaxed travel - and it's all done in the cab. Up to four times in an aircraft life, the interior is completely renewed.

Space for larger carry-on luggage

Airbus presented in Hamburg a deal with the customer American Airlines, which equips its hundred ordered A321neo with a completely new cabin design and will also retrofit 200 already flying A321 accordingly.

Among other innovations, the new Airbus cabin facility contains about 40 percent larger overhead storage compartments , which can hold 65 percent more luggage. Each passenger can place a luggage trolley of a certain size upright in the luggage compartment. Also possible: The space for the passengers' luggage is reserved and displayed. Such innovations significantly reduced the stress and time spent in boarding the aircraft for passengers and crews.

At the Aircraft Interior, the Crystal Cabin Award will be presented on Tuesday for innovations in the aircraft cabin. Here are the most interesting candidates of the shortlist:

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Light is a big topic at the fair. Many innovations relate to LED lighting and the entertainment and service options in the cab.

By means of modern LED lights and video technology a variety of lighting moods and projections can be generated, from the sunset to the relaxation of the passengers to a fireworks display in the plane sky, if there is something to celebrate. "Of course, the cabin can also be illuminated in the colors of the airline," said Guido van Geenen from the supplier Diehl. That's interesting for leased machines that fly for different airlines.

Toilet operation by command

Diehl is launching an innovation that is not obvious at first glance, but still of great benefit: The company has developed a process to offer water on board without chemicals, germ-free and thus drinking water quality . The entire new Diehl toilet unit is to operate without touching by voice commands or gestures, which should improve hygiene especially on long-haul flights.

The first aircraft seats manufactured in 3D printing can be seen on the Dassault stand in Hamburg as prototypes. Not only do they bring about 50 percent weight savings, they also adapt to the individual body shape of the passenger and have a special feature: the seats can charge cell phones or tablets wirelessly.

The manufacturer of the printer for this aircraft seat, the Berlin company BigRep, sees great future prospects for the technology. "3D printing is redefining the aviation industry," said BigRep CEO Stephan Beyer.