Aircraft cabin

An aircraft cabin that comprises a plurality of compartments (5) for passengers each having side walls (7a, 7b, 15) and accessible via a doorway (9) in one of the side walls (7a, 7b, 15). The compartments (5) include door assemblies for closing the doorways (9) and creating enclosed spaces and chair and other furniture interactively arranged in the compartment (5).

The present invention relates to an aircraft cabin.

In general terms, the invention is an aircraft cabin that comprises a plurality of “private” passenger compartments for passengers during an aircraft flight, with each compartment comprising walls that define a compartment space and being accessible via a doorway in one of the walls, and with each compartment at least comprising a chair for a passenger.

Preferably the cabin comprises a section of a total aircraft cabin.

Preferably the compartment walls are at least 1.5 m high.

More preferably the compartment walls are at least 1.6 m high.

The selection of the height of the compartment walls to be at least 1.5 m ensures privacy for passengers in the compartments.

Preferably the cabin comprises at least 3 rows of the compartments extending in a length-wise extending direction of the aircraft, with adjacent rows being separated by length-wise extending aisles, and with: (a) two outer rows being positioned along opposite sides of the aircraft with the aircraft side walls forming compartment walls, and (b) at least one internal row being positioned between the outer rows and separated from at least one outer row by a said length-wise extending aisle.

With this arrangement, the doorway walls define the aisles, and the compartments are accessible from the aisles via the doorways.

Preferably the doorways divide the doorway walls into two sections, with one section on each side of each doorway.

Preferably the doorways are positioned centrally in the doorway walls.

Preferably the aisles are curved along the length thereof.

Preferably the curved aisles are formed by forming the doorway walls as curved walls, for example by being convex as viewed from the aisles, and by positioning the compartments so that the doorways of the compartments on opposite sides of the aisles are not aligned.

More preferably the compartments are positioned so that the doorways of the compartments on one side of the aisles face the doorway walls on the other side of the aisles, and vice versa.

Forming the doorway walls as curved walls as viewed from the aisles means that there is additional space in these sections of the compartments for housing furniture in the compartments. This is an advantage because it makes it possible to make more efficient use of the available space within the compartments.

Preferably the walls that form the two outer rows of the compartments comprise (a) the aircraft side walls, (b) walls that extend inwardly from the aircraft side walls, and (c) the doorway walls. With this arrangement, the aircraft side walls form length-wise extending outer side walls of the compartments, the walls that extend inwardly from the aircraft side walls form end walls of the compartments, and the doorway walls form length-wise extending inner side walls of the compartments.

Preferably the or each interior row of the compartments comprises a plurality of pairs of length-wise extending compartments, with the doorways of the compartments of each pair providing access to the compartments from aisles on opposite sides of the interior row.

Preferably the compartments of at least one pair of compartments is separated by a length-wise extending wall that is a removable wall, whereby the pair of compartments may be converted into a double compartment by removing the removable wall.

Preferably each compartment of at least one pair of compartments comprises single beds that can be moved from storage positions to sleep positions that are in side-by-side relationship when the compartments are converted into the double compartment so as to form a double bed.

Preferably the cabin comprises a plurality of wardrobes in walls of the compartments that separate adjacent compartments in the rows of compartments.

Preferably the wardrobes include wardrobes that are mounted for sliding movement between storage positions in the walls and operative positions in which the wardrobes extend into the aisles and are accessible from the aisles.

Preferably each compartment includes doors for the doorways so that the compartments can be completely enclosed spaced when the doors are closed.

In general terms, the invention also comprises a private passenger compartment for a passenger during an aircraft flight that comprises walls that define a compartment space, a doorway in one of the walls that enables access to the compartment from an aisle, and a chair and other basic furniture located in the compartment space in an interactive way so that the furniture can be selectively arranged in a number of different configurations.

Preferably the compartment walls are at least 1.5 m high.

More preferably the compartment walls are at least 1.6 m high.

Preferably the doorway divides the doorway wall into two sections, with one section on each side of the doorway.

Preferably the doorway is positioned centrally in the doorway wall.

Preferably the sections of the doorway wall are curved, for example by being convex as viewed from the aisle, so that the compartment is wider in these sections of the compartment than in the region of the doorway.

Preferably the doorway wall includes at least one window.

More preferably the doorway wall includes at least two windows, with at least one window in each section of the doorway wall.

Preferably the windows include retractable blinds that can be closed.

Preferably the compartment include a door assembly for closing the doorway.

The door assembly may comprise a door mounted for sliding movement from a retracted position within the doorway wall to a closed position in which the door extends across the doorway and closes the compartment.

Preferably the door assembly includes a pair of doors mounted for sliding movement inwardly towards each other from retracted positions within the sections of the doorway walls that are on opposite sides of the doorway.

Preferably the doors include transparent windows that are positioned so that the view through the windows in the doorway walls is not obscured by the doors when the doors are in the retracted positions.

Preferably the doors include retractable blinds that can be closed when the doors are in the closed positions.

Alternatively, the door assembly may comprise an upper rail and a curtain supported by the rail.

Preferably the rail is mounted for sliding movement between a retracted position within the doorway wall and an operative, ie closed, position in which the rail extends across the doorway.

Preferably the curtain is adapted to fold in a concertina fashion so that (a) the curtain folds against the doorway wall when the rail is slid into the retracted position and (b) the curtain expands and closes the doorway when the rail is in the operative position.

Preferably the configurations of the compartment comprise relaxation, work, and sleep configurations.

In addition to the chair, the other basic furniture of the compartment may comprise any one or more of a table assembly, a cadenza that houses the table assembly when the table assembly is in a folded position, a seat, and a bed.

With this selection of basic furniture, preferably the bed is foldable from a storage position in one of the compartment walls to a sleep position within the compartment.

Preferably the bed is a bi-fold bed.

Preferably the chair is foldable from an operative position in which a person can sit upright in the chair to an inoperative position in which the folded chair defines a support for the bed when the bed is in the sleep position.

Preferably the chair defines a bedside table when the chair is in the inoperative position.

Preferably the seat is adapted to define a support for the bed when the bed is in the sleep position.

Preferably the cadenza is adapted to define a support for the bed when the bed is in the sleep position.

Preferably the cadenza is movable from a raised operative position in which the cadenza can be accessed conveniently by a passenger seated in the chair to a lowered bed support position.

Preferably the table assembly is housed in the cadenza so that it can be moved, for example by being swivelled, from a stored position within the cadenza to an operative position with a table of the table assembly extending horizontally into the compartment proximate the chair.

There are a large number of possible interactive combinations of the above-described basic furniture within the compartment.

One interactive combination of the above-described furniture in the compartment space comprises: (a) the chair to one side of the doorway, (b) the seat to the other side of the doorway, (c) the cadenza against the wall opposite the doorway, and (d) the table assembly housed in the cadenza and movable between the stored position within the cadenza and the operative position with the table of the table assembly extending horizontally into the space between the chair and the seat.

In addition to the chair, the other basic furniture of the compartment may also comprise any one or more of a work desk, a table assembly, a seat, a bed and a visual display system of an entertainment system.

With this selection of basic furniture, in one embodiment the compartment comprises the following interactive combination of the above-described basic furniture in the compartment space: (a) the chair in one corner of the compartment space, (b) the work desk along at least a part of one wall of the compartment and proximate the chair, (c) the table assembly movable between a stored position adjacent one wall of the compartment and an operative position with a table of the table assembly extending horizontally proximate the chair.

Preferably the compartment comprises the bed movable between a raised storage position and a lowered sleep position on the work desk.

Preferably the compartment comprises the seat adjacent at least a part of one wall of the compartment.

Preferably the work desk and the seat are positioned adjacent different walls of the compartment.

In another embodiment the compartment comprises the following interactive combination of the above-described basic furniture in the compartment space: (a) the chair in one corner of the compartment space, (b) the seat adjacent one wall of the compartment, (c) the table assembly movable between a stored position adjacent one wall of the compartment and an operative position with a table of the table assembly extending horizontally proximate the chair.

In another embodiment the compartment comprises the following interactive combination of the above-described basic furniture in the compartment space: (a) the chair in one corner of the compartment space, (b) the bed movable between a raised storage position and a lowered sleep position, (c) the table assembly movable between a stored position adjacent one wall of the compartment and an operative position with a table of the table assembly extending horizontally proximate the chair.

In another, although not the only other, embodiment the compartment comprises the following interactive combination of the above-described basic furniture in the compartment space: (a) the chair in one corner of the compartment space, (b) the seat adjacent a wall opposite the chair when the chair is in a take-off position, (c) the work desk adjacent a wall that is in a lengthwise-extending direction of the aircraft, (d) the table assembly movable between a stored position adjacent the same wall as the work desk and an operative position with a table of the table assembly extending horizontally in a space between the chair and the seat, and (e) the bed movable between a raised storage position and a lowered sleep position on the work desk.

The term “take-off” position is understood herein to mean a position in which a person seated in the chair is facing forward in the direction of travel of the aircraft.

Preferably the work desk and the table assembly are located adjacent the wall that is opposite the wall that defines the doorway.

Preferably the work desk defines a support platform for the bed and supports the bed when the bed is in the sleep position.

Preferably the bed is stored in a raised position in the compartment space and is moveable down to a lowered operative position on the platform and is supported by the platform in the lowered position.

Preferably the work desk and the table assembly are positioned in relation to the chair when the table assembly is in the operative position so that the chair can be swiveled between positions facing the work desk and the table assembly.

Preferably a work platform of the work desk is vertically adjustable to accommodate different requirements of different passengers. This feature makes it possible to design the passenger seat to be with a fixed vertical position.

Preferably the stored position of the table assembly is adjacent the work desk.

In an alternative, although not the only possible alternative embodiment, the stored position of the table assembly is within the space occupied by the work desk.

Preferably the table assembly comprises: (a) a base member that can slide between the stored position adjacent the side wall and the operative position between the chair and the seat, (b) a support arm pivotally mounted to the base member and foldable between the storage position and the operative position, and (c) a table pivotally mounted to the support arm.

The above-described table assembly can be moved from the stored position to the operative position by sliding or otherwise moving the base member outwardly from the storage position, lifting the table upwardly and inwardly into the compartment space and thereby pivoting the support arm upwardly and inwardly into the compartment space until the table is in the horizontal operative position.

Preferably the support arm comprises a table support element that is positioned to support an underside of the table when the table assembly is the operative position with the table in the horizontal position.

Preferably the table comprises side wings that can be folded between an inward storage position and an outward operative position.

Preferably the base member defines a storage compartment. By way of example, the storage compartment may be used for storing a brief case, etc.

In general terms, the present invention also comprises the above-described table assembly.

In general terms, the present invention also comprises the above-described sliding door assembly.

In general terms the present invention also comprises an aircraft that comprises the above-described cabin.

FIGS. 1 to 19and20to39illustrate two embodiments of an aircraft cabin3that forms part of a total cabin layout of the aircraft.

In each embodiment, the cabin3comprises a plurality of “private” passenger compartments5that define multi-functional compartment spaces for passengers.

The compartments5of each embodiment are designed so that the compartments can be completely enclosed so that passengers can have total privacy.

The compartments5of each embodiment are designed particularly for long-haul fights during which the passengers occupying the compartments may wish to work, relax, or sleep.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 19the cabin comprises3rows11a,11b,11cof compartments5arranged in a length-wise extending direction of the aircraft and separated by aisles51.

The compartments5of each row11a,11b,11care accessible via doorways9in the walls7b, hereinafter referred to as “doorway walls7b”, that define the aisles51.

The doorways9are centrally positioned in the doorway walls7band divide the walls7binto two equal-sized sections, one on each side of the walls7b.

The two outer rows11a,11cof compartments5are positioned along opposite sides of the aircraft. The aircraft side walls15form outer side walls of the compartments5. The compartments5in each outer row11a,11calso include walls7athat extend inwardly from the aircraft side walls15. The walls7aform end walls of the compartments5. The doorway walls7bextend from the end walls7aand form interior side walls of the compartments5.

Each end wall7aand the sections of the walls7bthat extend in opposite directions from the end walls7bare essentially T-shaped arrangements.

The internal row11bof compartments5comprises2pairs of the compartments5in side by side relationship. The compartments5in each pair have doorways9that open into aisles51on opposite sides of the internal row.

The compartments5in the internal row11bare identical to the compartments5in the outer rows11aand11cin terms of furniture and layout save that the compartments5in each pair are separated by a dividing wall7cthat can be removed so that the compartments5can be converted from separate single compartments into a double compartment.

With reference toFIGS. 10 and 11, the dividing wall7ccomprises a top rail69and a retractable blind71housed in the top rail. Conversion of the compartment simply involves raising the blind69from the lowered position to the raised position.

The walls7a,7bare continuous internal walls that are 1.6 m high and therefore ensure privacy of passengers in the compartments5.

The aisles51are formed as curved aisles. The curved aisles contribute to the overall appearance of the cabin.

The curved aisles are formed by forming the doorway walls7bas convex walls as viewed from the aisles51and by staggering positions of the compartments5so that the doorways9of the compartments5on opposite sides of the aisles51are not aligned.

More preferably the compartments5are staggered so that the doorways9of the compartments on one side of the aisles51face the doorway walls7bon the other side of the aisles51, and vice versa.

As is indicated above, forming the doorway walls7bas curved walls as viewed from the aisles51means that there is additional space in these sections of the compartments5for housing furniture in the compartments5. This is an advantage because it makes it possible to make more efficient use of the available space within the compartments5.

The doorway walls7bhave windows17on both sides of the doorways9. The windows17have retractable blinds21so that the passenger occupants can selectively create an open compartment which facilitates visual. interaction with other compartments5in the cabin or a more private closed compartment5.

Each compartment5comprises a sliding door assembly for closing the doorway9.

The sliding door assembly of each compartment5comprises a pair of doors23that are mounted for sliding movement between retracted positions in which the doors are located in frames (not shown) in the doorway walls7band closed positions in which the doors23extend across the doorway9and close the compartment5.

With reference toFIG. 4, each door23has a window27. The arrangement of the doors23and the windows17in the doorway walls7bis such that the windows27of the doors23overlap the windows17in the doorway walls7bwhen the doors are in the retracted positions and thereby do not interrupt the view through the windows17.

With reference toFIG. 3, the sliding door assembly also includes retractable blinds29on the doors23so that the passengers can selectively create an open or a more closed private compartment. The blinds29are shown in a closed position inFIG. 3.

Each private passenger compartment5houses an extensive range of furniture required by passengers, particularly on long-haul flights.

The furniture comprises a chair3, a cadenza3, a table assembly35housed in the cadenza33, a bi-fold bed29stored in one of the end walls7a, and a seat37located within the compartment space.

The furniture is designed and arranged to be interactive so that the furniture can be selectively arranged in a number of different functional configurations as may be required by passengers, particularly on long-haul flights.

The chair31is located to one side of the doorway and is positioned against the end wall7aon that side of the doorway9, the seat37is located to the other side of the doorway9and is positioned against the end wall7aon that side of the doorway, (c) the cadenza33is located against the wall opposite the doorway9, (d) the table assembly35is housed in the cadenza33and is movable between a storage position within the cadenza and an operative position with a table of the table assembly35extending horizontally into a space between the chair31and the seat37, and (e) the bed29is foldable between a storage position in the end wall7a(FIG. 7) and a horizontal sleeping position within the compartment space.

The chair31is multi-functional. Specifically, the chair31is foldable between an upright position for a person to sit in the chair and a folded down position in which the chair31forms a support for the bed29.

The chair31is specifically shaped to define a bedside table41when the chair is in the support position.

The seat37and the cadenza33also define supports for the bed29. The cadenza33is positioned so that it can be moved vertically between a raised position in which the cadenza33is at a convenient height to be accessed by a person seated in the chair31and a lowered position in which the cadenza33forms a bed support.

The above-described compartment5is a compact and efficient use of space by virtue of the arrangement of the furniture in the compartment5which provides a passenger with a range of functional options for the use of the compartment5without the compartment appearing to be cramped.

By way of particular example, the construction of the chair31to be a foldable chair that can be used as a support for the bed29makes it possible to locate the substantial components of a luxury chair and a bed within a relatively confined space without the compartment being a cramped space. In effect, the foldable chair31allows the compartment5to be converted from one functional configuration to another, quite separate, functional configuration within a relatively confined space.

The conversion that is made possible by the foldable chair means that the entire compartment space is available for each separate function, hence providing an impression a relatively spacious compartment.

The cabin also includes the following features:Wardrobes.Breakfast tables.Storage spaces and a vanity unit in the cadenza33.Baby bassinet.Shelving.Control panel for lighting and entertainment system.Wall-mounted entertainment display screen.

With reference toFIG. 9, the wardrobes53are in the form of wardrobe frames that are slidably mounted within the end walls7a. As can be appreciated from the figure, the wardrobe frames are arranged for sliding movement from storage positions within the end walls7ato access positions extending into the aisles51. The access positions provide convenient access for passengers. Moreover, the location of the wardrobes53within the end walls7amakes it possible for the wardrobes53to be of sufficiently large size to accommodate business suits etc in a free-hanging form.

FIGS. 17 to 19illustrate an embodiment of a service table61that is adapted to be positioned on the bedside table41of the chair31when the chair is in the folded down position. The service table61provides convenient access for a passenger in the bed29. The service table61is generally U shaped and includes legs63extending from a platform65.

The cadenza33includes a series of storage compartments and an in-built vanity unit and other features, as illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 16.

In addition, each compartment5includes provision for a baby bassinet65and storage shelving67within the end walls7aof the compartment. This feature is illustrated inFIG. 12.

Each compartment5also includes a series of standard utilities, such as control units, as illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14.

In the embodiment of the cabin shown inFIGS. 20 to 39, the cabin comprises 3 rows111a,111b,111cof compartments105arranged in a length-wise extending direction of the aircraft.

The two outer rows111a,111care positioned along opposite sides of the aircraft with the aircraft side walls115forming compartment walls.

The central row111bis positioned between and is separated from the outer rows by length-wise extending aisles.

The positions of the compartments105are staggered so that the doorways109of the compartments105on opposite sides of the aisles do not directly face each other. This feature enhances the privacy of the compartments.

The doorway walls107are formed as louvered walls so that the passenger occupants can selectively create an open compartment which facilitates visual interaction with other compartments in the cabin or a more private closed compartment.

Each compartment105comprises a sliding door assembly for closing the doorway109.

The sliding door assembly comprises an upper rail151and a curtain155supported by the rail.

The rail151is mounted for sliding movement between a retracted position in which the rail is located in the doorway wall107on one side of the doorway109and an operative, ie closed, position in which the rail151extends across and blocks the doorway109.

The curtain155is arranged to fold in a concertina fashion. Accordingly, the curtain155folds against the doorway wall107when the rail151is slid into the retracted position and the curtain155expands and closes the doorway109when the rail151is in the operative position.

The sliding door assembly also comprises a member (not shown) on the opposite side of the doorway109that is adapted to retain the rail in the operative position

Each private passenger compartment105houses basic functional furniture required by passengers, particularly on long-haul flights.

The furniture comprises a chair121, a work desk123, a table assembly125, and a seat127located within the compartment space.

As with the previous embodiment, the furniture is designed and arranged to be interactive with each other so that the furniture can be selectively arranged in a number of different functional configurations as may be required by passengers, particularly on long-haul flights.

More specifically, the furniture is designed and arranged to be movable between a range of positions to reconfigure the compartment space.

As with the previous embodiment, the configurations comprise relaxation, work, entertainment, and sleep configurations.

More specifically, the private compartment comprises the following combination of furniture: (a) a chair121in one corner of the compartment, (b) a bench seat127adjacent a wall opposite the chair when the chair is in a take-off position and facing in a forward travel direction of the aircraft, (c) a work desk123adjacent a wall that is in a lengthwise-extending direction of the aircraft, (d) a table assembly125movable between a storage position against the same wall as the work desk123and an operative position with a table of the table assembly125extending horizontally in a space between the chair121and the seat127, and (e) a bed129movable between a raised storage position and a lowered operative position on the work desk.

The chair121is arranged so that it can swivel between a range of positions. For example, the chair121can be positioned in an aircraft take-off position so that a person in the chair faces a forward travel direction of the aircraft, as shown inFIGS. 20,24, and25. In addition, the chair121can be positioned so that the person faces the work desk125, as shown inFIG. 22(the rearward compartment shown in the figure).

The chair121is an adjustable chair, with a chair back, seat and foot-rest that can be placed in a range of positions to meet passenger requirements. The chair may be of a conventional construction.

With reference particularly toFIG. 27, the table assembly125comprises a table144that has a central panel and two side wings146that can be folded onto the central panel.

The table assembly125also comprises a base member147that, when mounted in a compartment, is supported for sliding movement between the storage position adjacent the compartment side wall and the operative position between the chair121and the seat127. The base member147is in the form of a straight-sided rectangular cabinet that defines a storage compartment. The base member147is supported for sliding movement in a compartment by a track assembly, identified in part by the rail143mounted to and extending rearwardly from the base member.

The table assembly125also comprises a support arm138that interconnects the table144and the base member147and facilitates moving the table144from the storage position to the operative position.

The support arm138is pivotally mounted at a lower end to a forward part of an upper section of the base member147.

The support arm138is also pivotally mounted at an upper end to an underside of the table133. The support arm138is foldable between a storage position in which the support arm138(and the table144) lies flat on top of the base member147and an operative position in which the support arm138is angled forwardly (as shown inFIGS. 27 and 29).

The support arm138is coupled to the base member147so that it can not pivot forward beyond the operative position shown inFIGS. 27 and 29.

The support arm138comprises a V-shaped channel member139near the upper end thereof which acts as a support element for the table144and supports an underside of the table144when the table assembly is in the operative position with the table144in the horizontal position.

The above-described table assembly125can be moved from the storage position to the operative position by sliding the base member147outwardly from the storage position, lifting the table144upwardly and inwardly into the compartment space and thereby pivoting the support arm138upwardly and inwardly into the compartment space until the table144is in the horizontal operative position.

As is indicated above, the compartment is multi-functional and the basic furniture can be positioned in a range of configurations. This feature is illustrated, by way of example, inFIGS. 28 to 39.

FIG. 28illustrates one configuration of the private passenger compartment105. In this configuration the table assembly125is in the operative position in which the table144of the table assembly125is in an unfolded position in a space between the chair121and the seat127. In this configuration the compartment is multi-functional and can be used for a range of purposes. For example, the table assembly125can be used as a meals table for supporting one or more meals delivered to the compartment to be eaten by the single passenger occupant of the compartment or the passenger and a “visiting” passenger. Alternatively, the table assembly125can be used as a work desk by the single passenger or the passenger and a “visiting” passenger.

The specification, beginning with the second full paragraph on page 25 and extending to fifth full paragraph on page 26, has been amended as follows:

In the first step shown inFIG. 29the wings146of the table144are folded inwardly onto the central panel of the table144.

With reference toFIGS. 30 and 31, in a second step the table144is lifted upwardly and outwardly (in relation to the interior of the compartment space) toward the aircraft side wall115to pivot the table144and the support arm138into the folded position shown inFIG. 12in which the table144and the support arm138overlie and are supported by the base member147.

Thereafter, the base member147of the table assembly125is slid from the operative position shown inFIG. 31, in which the base member extends into the space between the chair123and the seat127, and the storage position shown inFIG. 32, in which the base member147is located against the aircraft side wall115.

The final step in the transformation sequence involves sliding a cover member161over the stored table assembly125to provide a flat working surface.

In the configuration shown inFIG. 33the compartment is multi-functional. By way of example, the single passenger occupant may be seated in the chair123or on the seat127and relax or work, as required. When seated on the chair123the passenger may conveniently view the visual display screen148.

FIG. 34illustrates an intermediate position of the bed129in a first step to transform the configuration shown inFIG. 33to a “sleeping” configuration.

This step comprises lowering the bed129from the raised position shown inFIG. 14to the lowered position shown inFIG. 35.

FIG. 35illustrates the bed129supported by the work desk123in the lowered position of the bed.

FIG. 36illustrates the compartment in the sleeping configuration with a person on the bed129and the visual display screen148pivoted to a position in which the person on the bed can view the screen while in a reclining position.

FIG. 37illustrates a first step to transform the compartment from the “sleeping” configuration shown inFIG. 17to a “working” configuration.

The first step involves swiveling the chair123from the forward position shown inFIG. 36to a working position shown inFIG. 37in which a person seated in the chair Is facing towards the aircraft side wall115.

FIG. 38illustrates a subsequent step of raising the bed129from the lowered position to the raised position shown in the figure. This step enables access to the work desk123.

The work desk123is vertically adjustable so that a person seated in the chair123can adjust the height as required to suit personal preferences.

FIG. 38illustrates the work desk in one raised position andFIG. 39illustrates the work desk in a lowered position.

Many modifications may be made to the embodiments of the cabin and the private passenger compartment described above with departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

By way of example, whilst the embodiments of the cabin comprise 3 rows111a,111b,111cof private passenger compartments separated by aisles151, the invention is not so limited and extends to any suitable arrangement of the compartments105.