Dassault Aviation’s new Falcon 6X recently won the prestigious International Yacht & Aviation Award for interior design, underscoring the unique level of comfort and spaciousness offered by the ultra-widebody twin. The 6X will set a new industry benchmark for cabin comfort, long-range performance and flying efficiency, with the largest cabin cross section of any purpose-built business jet.
“This prestigious award reflects the innovative manner in which our in-house Design Studio conceived the Falcon 6X cabin, which entailed going well beyond simply improving the aircraft’s interior decoration,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman & CEO Eric Trappier. “With extensive input from customers, our engineers rethought the entire interior design process, employing a sensory design approach that will completely redefine the passenger flight experience.”
Sensory design manages air, light and sound in innovative ways to maximize health and wellness. In the Falcon 6X, it played a key role in selecting materials, textures and finishes, laying out furniture and furnishings, defining interior lighting and color schemes and designing cabin contours. The cabin’s flowing uninterrupted lines, innovative furniture design, flush surfaces, and recessed technology provide a cozy, clutter free interior designed to enhance the feeling of spaciousness and facilitate productivity and relaxation during long intercontinental trips.
Upholstered areas throughout the cabin are covered with micro-perforated fabrics, woven textiles and 3D fabrics designed to offer protection from microbes and absorb sound. Materials and finishing are optimized to absorb or reflect light in a way that ensures a soothing, pleasant ride. Smart-control mood lighting varies color patterns in accordance with the type of activity, time of day and season.
Passengers sit in an ergonomic “cocoon” where all electronic functions are within easy reach. Recessed controls light up when a hand is near and dim when not in use. Side-panel charging pockets accept personal devices of all types and sizes. Patented retractable arms hold tablets, freeing hands for other activities like dining.
The cabin has 30 extra-large windows with nearly 5,000 square inches of glass — more than any other aircraft in its class —which bathe the cabin of the 6X with natural light while providing unprecedented views of the ground below. An overhead skylight, the first in business aviation, illuminates the normally dim galley area.
The IYAA awards are sponsored by design et al, a prominent UK design magazine published by The Design Society. Established in 2005, The Design Society helps interior designers promote their work to a wider audience and reflects all sectors of the design profession. Awards are judged by industry professionals, designers and customers.