Boeing has officially initiated testing of three dozen technologies on its ecoDemonstrator program, which is purposed around improving operational efficiency and sustainability in cabin interiors, one of the most challenging parts of recycling an airplane. Talk about the stated ecoDemonstrator program on a slightly deeper level, it begins by fine-tuning airport operations. Yes, under the given program, Boeing will test several technologies to enable single-engine taxi and digital taxi clearances in the context of reducing fuel use, as well as enhancing safety through a more effectively-managed pilot workload. The company is, markedly enough, hoping to make a similar headway when it comes to airport noise. You see, this it will likely do by quantifying the benefits of flight operation procedures, such as steeper glide slope and continuous descent approach, so to reduce community noise, fuel use, and emissions. More on that would reveal how Boeing is also working to leverage cabin insulation for the objective of reducing noise, and at the same time, regulating humidity and temperature across the internal environment. Alongside that, the aviation-giant will further bring to the fore fabric-covered acoustic panels for the bulkhead and galley, something which greatly reduces the airplane’s weight proportion.

“The Boeing ecoDemonstrator program helps us make tangible improvements to our products – allowing us to reduce the environmental impacts of flying, improve the in-flight experience and strengthen the safety of our airplanes,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We’re grateful for the many partnerships within aviation and beyond who help us turn the seemingly impossible into reality.”

There is also environmental aspect attached to Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program, as the initiative is testing the application of recyclable and more durable floor coverings. You see, we already referred to Boeing’s aim of installing fabric-covered acoustic panels inside the cabin, but what we still haven’t mentioned is how the stated panels and floor coverings will be manufacturing with an estimated 25% bio-based resin. Joining the whole value proposition would be Boeing’s vision of future cabin concepts. This translates to the fact that, through the ecoDemonstrator effort, the company is also proposing a possibility where its economy and business class seats will be equipped with specialized sensors. These sensors, on their part, will have the means detect if someone is seated during taxi, takeoff and, landing. Such functionality, like you might have guessed, can go a long way to improve safety, reduce crew workload, and cut back on downtime for maintenance.

Among other things, Boeing is also tinkering with an intention to introduce a touchless water conservation lavatory; and a set of cutting-edge galley technologies. By doing so, it will reduce food wastage, while simultaneously upping the efficiency of cabin service to a significant degree.

“The ecoDemonstrator program is among our most iconic flight demonstrators, having tested 250 technologies since it first took flight in 2012,” said Brian Moran, Chief Sustainability Officer at Boeing. “This year’s testing of various cabin interiors aims to help solve for the portion of our airplanes that is not reusable or recyclable while also reducing fuel use and crew workload.”