From British Airways to Korean Air, Acumen Design Associates has been behind some of the most recognizable and influential cabins across the aviation industry. A lot of careful consideration is taken with each innovation to ensure that both airlines and passengers are delighted with the results. To understand the thinking behind the designs, Simple Flying recently spoke with the company’s CEO, Ian Dryburgh and Brand Experience Director, Mike Crump, about their creative approach.
A creative background
Innovation has always been at the core of Acumen’s DNA. Over the years, Acumen has worked on a diverse range of briefs from powerboats to Action Men. However, appropriately enough, its first major commission was in 1981 to design a range of office seating for Hille International. Hille’s ‘Shape’ range of furniture proved to be a commercial success for many years.
Acumen was ready to make a name in the aviation industry in the middle of the 1990s. In 1996, it collaborated with British Airways to launch the first-ever lay-flat bed on a commercial aircraft. This “Bed in the Sky” completely revolutionized premium seating across the industry, allowing the company to achieve global recognition with multiple awards.
On the back of this success, airlines came flocking, hoping to provide similar offerings to their passengers. As a result, Acumen worked with United Airlines to progress certain aspects of the flatbed concept by introducing ottoman storage, a swing-out monitor, and expanded work surfaces. United’s new First Class cabin seating with these enhancements was launched in 1997. The following year American Airlines introduced the Acumen designed Signature First Class suite, which was the first-ever swivel lay-flat seat on a commercial airline
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