Airlines Add Mood Lighting to Chill Passengers Out

Interior designers for airlines across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. have a new consideration when it comes to onboard products and service: How's the lighting? Designers are starting to experiment with new technologies that let them illuminate the cabin in all kinds of hues. Is a pinkish-purple glow suitably soothing for boarding? Does the “amber warmth” programmed for dinner service offer flight attendants enough light by which to serve? And is the cabin at bedtime too dark? Restrooms must be located.

This mood-lighting capability arises from new light-emitting diode (LED) technologies that Airbus and Boeing sell as options on their new A350 and 787 Dreamliner models, respectively. LED cabin lights are expected to last roughly 10 to 20 times longer than traditional lights; Boeing says its 787 cabin lights are good for 50,000 hours. Both manufacturers used LEDs in some earlier models, but airline designers say the two new long-haul planes offer them a cabin palette that has never before been available.