The passenger cabin on the Boeing Next-Generation 737s has a new look. The new interior provides passengers comfortable, aesthetically pleasing surroundings and gives operators a cabin that is both durable and flexible. The interior floor, wall and seat materials stand up to wear and tear, and can be easily cleaned. The addition of optional, convertible seats makes it possible for the passenger cabin to be quickly changed between flights to accommodate a variety of airline seat configuration requirements.
Entryway and Flight Attendant Station
When passengers walk into the forward cabin entryway of the airplane, they immediately get the feel of the new interior. The number of ceiling and wall panels is reduced, giving the entryway a smoother, cleaner look. All signs are located in designated areas instead of being spread about the entryway.
The flight attendant station is restyled and all cabin controls are consolidated in one panel, making it easier for attendants to lower lights and turn on music. A single handset located below the panel serves as both cabin interphone and intercom. Storage areas at the bottom of the attendant station provide stowage room for emergency equipment. The entryway and flight attendant stations in the rear of the airplane are similar to the forward stations.
Stowage Bins and Ceiling
The new overhead stowage bins and sculptured ceiling in the cabin have smoother curves and give passengers a feeling of having more open space.
With two 40-inch (101-centimeter) doors, the overhead bins are more accessible to passengers and flight attendants storing or retrieving carry-on items. Each sturdy stow bin is 80 inches (203 centimeters) long and carries up to 160 pounds (72.5 kg) worth of carry-on items. The new, longer 80-inch (203-centimeter) ceiling panels are easier for maintenance technicians to install and remove and they are also easier to clean.
Airlines have the option of adding ceiling-mounted storage bins for life rafts and other emergency equipment, or miscellaneous stowage items such as duty-free goods in the forward, center and rear cabins. The ceiling-mounted storage bins minimize the need to store emergency equipment in stow bins, leaving more room for passenger carry-on luggage.
Handrail
Airlines also have the option of choosing a new continuous handrail that extends along the bottom of the stow bins. The handrail provides both cabin crew and passengers support when they are loading carry-on items or moving about in the cabin.
Overhead Lighting
New lights and light valances located along the ceiling above the stow bins run the full length of the passenger seating area. They provide soft indirect lighting that contributes to passenger cabin ambiance.
Video System
Airlines have the option to equip their airplanes with modern flat-panel video displays as part of the passenger entertainment system. The retractable liquid-crystal displays are mounted in the passenger service unit above the seats. A video monitor is positioned every two to three seat rows.
Vacuum Lavatories
The airplanes are equipped with vacuum lavatories. For passengers, that means less odor in the lavatories. For airlines, it means reduced service time and a reduced incidence of corrosion on the airplane.
Convertible Seats and Class Divider
Airlines choosing optional, convertible seating can accommodate actual, not average, business-class demand on a flight by flight basis. When the airline seating roster shows more business-class passengers on an upcoming flight, the six-abreast economy-class seats can be rapidly converted to a five-abreast business-class seat configuration. Business class travelers will have a more comfortable flight on the wider 19-inch business class seats. The seat pitch also is easily changed and the seat rows added or removed as needed.
The optional moveable class divider, which allows airlines to clearly differentiate cabin service levels, can be repositioned by one person quickly and easily. The divider allows unobstructed access to overhead stow bins.