Sustainability is a hot topic in aviation right now and nowhere more so than in the aircraft cabin sector. In our new column, Industry Voices (page 14), seating specialist Recaro notes that, despite the shift to recovery mode for airlines, sustainability efforts have not waned and it advises that design should always be based around an environmental mindset.

The Germany-headquartered manufacturer homes in on the demand for lightweight aircraft to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, as well as the increasing use of sustainable aviation fuels.

In our regular opinion piece on page 13, design agency owner Gary Doy gives his take on how to create a sustainable future. He believes the way forward is to harness the collective ambition among designers, engineers, manufacturers and financiers and says that starts with reimagining
the cabin.

In our feature on weight-saving ideas (page 34) we consider how sustainability will be a big driving force for weight-saving in the industry over the coming years. In addition, we learn how designers are playing around with suspension systems within the seat that can take some weight
out, alongside the use of materials such as recycled plastic bottles or cork. Some materials can be sandwiched to create a strong, yet sustainable alternative.

Meanwhile, in our Green Sky column we hear from Qatar Airways, an airline that is firmly fixed on having an environmental agenda, with its aim of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Its fuel-optimisation programme is also continuously under review to ensure that the carrier minimises emissions wherever possible.

Other initiatives include reduction of potable water uplift, removal of inflight duty-free offerings, digitisation of inflight magazines and menu, cutting back on single-use plastics and an active focus on water conservation and optimisation.

If these ideas and initiatives are any indication of current sentiments within the industry, then it seems like green is the only way to go this season.