The wheelchair securement space introduced by Collins Aerospace at the 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo has a new name — the Prime+ Accessibility Platform — and a slew of new design innovations that make it a promising contender in the race to make space for personal wheelchairs in the aircraft cabin.
I visited with the Collins Aerospace team last week at their AIX stand in Hamburg, Germany, and we discussed the work done since last year's prototype was unveiled. Check out this video in which I test the updated platform and discuss some of the new design elements showcased this year:
The Collins Aerospace engineering team made a wide range of improvements to Prime+ over the past year, resulting in a more accessible and marketable solution. Of particular note were the following:
- Reimagined monument that easily collapses to make space for wheelchair users in the front row, while containing new features including a height-adjustable tray table, USB ports, reading lights and an air conditioning nozzle.
- Space for a traveling companion or passenger to move between the monument and wheelchair passenger, permitting easier access to seat 1A.
While Collins has yet to file for a Technical Standard Orders (TSO) Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), they have been in regular communication with regulators to share their development progress. The team shared with me that they expect a streamlined approval once an application for certification has been submitted.
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Many airlines, including at least a few from the United States, have shown interest in the Prime+ Accessibility Platform. I unwittingly became part of the demonstration offered to Air Canada. Though the mock-up demonstrates what the space would look like in a first class or premium economy configuration, the solution is also adaptable for low-cost carriers with a single class of service.
Collins continues to interact with airline customers, soliciting feedback which it will incorporate into future iterations of the Prime+ product. While no strict timelines have been shared, I was told that they are "close" and that interest from airlines will ultimately determine when the product takes flight.
