THE IMPACT OF MOOD LIGHTING PASSENGERS’ SATISFACTION ON BOARD AN AIRCRAFT

AUTHOR: KATJA LESZCZYNSKA

DATE: JANUARY – SEPTEMBER 2010

RESEARCH FACILITIES: BARTLETT SCHOOL OF GRADUATED STUDIES, LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN

DIEHL AEROSPACE, NUREMBERG, GERMANY

UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES “GEORG-SIMON-OHM”, NUREMBERG, GERMANY

Word count: 704 words (Main Text)

Nowadays lighting is becoming very dominant in people’s daily lives. People are paying more

attention to how their homes, work places and leisure facilities are lit. Besides the lighting for the

visual comfort and visual performance, current research is focused on the influence of light on the

human body. The illumination of the interior places where people spend most of the time is very

important to their health, mood and wellbeing.

The rising necessity and desire to travel obligates researchers to investigate how lighting in the

transport sector can be improved. With the increasing tempo of life for many people traveling is

becoming an integral part of their lives. Travelers trying to use time effectively are working, reading

or relaxing while being on a train or an airplane.

The specific conditions of the aircraft industry make the illumination of a cabin a special challenge.

The primary goal is the security and comfort of passengers. Apart from that, more technical

parameters like: performance, energy consumption and weight have to be considered constantly.

Being aware of the technical advantages of applying the very latest technology for cabin lighting

systems the question arises, how much is the comfort and well- being of passengers going to profit

from it? Is introducing mood lighting a good option and how much would passengers appreciate it?

The current trend in aircraft cabin lighting is focused on creating a unique and unforgettable

atmosphere on board by means of the latest LED technologies. The advantages of LEDs are used by

airlines to create corporate identity coloured lighting throughout the cabin. Lighting designers are

getting involved in developing lighting concepts for this specific environment.

Not many publications are available to date regarding passenger responses to coloured lighting on

aboard a plane. More research in the field should help lighting designers choose the right colours

and lighting levels and be aware of the possible effects on passengers.

The main aim of the work presented in this report was to gain a better understanding of the effects

of coloured lighting on people on board a passenger plane.

This report explores different lighting scenarios for general cabin lighting in passenger aircrafts and

their impact on passengers’ satisfaction onboard a plane.

Due to insufficient publications related to the subject, the background research for this study was

mostly based on the statements of aircraft lighting manufactures. Additional interviews with

experienced lighting designers were conducted and have led to d

questionnaire. 50 lighting designers took part in the survey and shared their ideas and preferences

about cabin lighting design. Lighting Designers were approached directly via e

Linked In discussion groups panels (

The test subjects were asked to accomplish the online survey.

presented in this study and the analysis of the results influenced the design of the main exper

Figure 1: Mood lighting in airplane cabin

Passengers perceive lighting in a plane

differently to lighting on the ground.

Figure 2: Respondents’ feelings about mood lighting on planes

26%

4% 0%

Would you welcome introducing mood lighting in the airplane cabin?

20.0%

34.0%

20.0% 20.0%

5 4 3 2

strongly agree (5) – strongly disagree (1)

Due to insufficient publications related to the subject, the background research for this study was

mostly based on the statements of aircraft lighting manufactures. Additional interviews with

experienced lighting designers were conducted and have led to designing the pilot study

questionnaire. 50 lighting designers took part in the survey and shared their ideas and preferences

Lighting Designers were approached directly via e-mail or through

discussion groups panels (Linked In groups like: Light Passion, Lighting Design, PLDA, SLL).

The test subjects were asked to accomplish the online survey. The summary of the results is

presented in this study and the analysis of the results influenced the design of the main exper

: Mood lighting in airplane cabin

Passengers perceive lighting in a plane

differently to lighting on the ground.

How important role does lighting play in

passengers’ satisfaction on board?

: Respondents’ feelings about mood lighting on planes

70%

Would you welcome introducing mood lighting in the airplane cabin?

YES

ONLY ON LONG FLIGHTS

ONLY ON SHORT FLIGHTS

NOT AT ALL

20.0%

6.0%

1

strongly disagree (1)

49.0%

36.7%

10.2%

4.1%

5 4 3 2

very important (5)– not at all (1)

Due to insufficient publications related to the subject, the background research for this study was

mostly based on the statements of aircraft lighting manufactures. Additional interviews with

esigning the pilot study

questionnaire. 50 lighting designers took part in the survey and shared their ideas and preferences

mail or through

Linked In groups like: Light Passion, Lighting Design, PLDA, SLL).

The summary of the results is

presented in this study and the analysis of the results influenced the design of the main experiment.

How important role does lighting play in

passengers’ satisfaction on board?

ONLY ON SHORT FLIGHTS

0.0%

1

not at all (1)

Image 1: Sketch of the Experimental Mock up with the indicated position of the light

The main experiment was undertaken in an aircraft cabin mock up and was conducted on 19

participants who were exposed to 11 lighting scenes. The variation between the scenes was

achieved by means of separately addressable LED ceiling and side wall lights.

Different colour and intensity light conditions were tested and the participants were asked to

perform predefined tasks. The participants evaluated each of the tested lighting scenes by means of

a semantic differential scale.

Experimental process showing the lighting scene and related activities is illustrated below:

Figure 3: Experimental procedure illustrating lighting scenes with related activities

B

R

E

A

K

B

R

E

A

K

7

RELAX/WORK

6 5 10 9 8

DUTY FREE SHOP

2 3 4 11 1

ENTRY MEAL EXIT

Image 2: Initial sketches of proposed lighting scenes

All of the results were collected and a summary is presented in the report. The analysis of the results

showed that the white scenes were the most preferred lighting conditions for performing tasks. In

terms of creating visual interest and a relaxing atmosphere light saturated colours were preferred.

The lowest rated scenes consisted of high saturated light colours as well as quick colour changes.

Mood lighting can help attract the attention of the passengers as well as reinforce the first

impression of the airline. More research in this field should help lighting designers to choose the

right colours and lighting levels and be aware of their possible effects on passengers. Creating a

unique and comfortable atmosphere during a flight would increase the passengers on board

satisfaction that again would be beneficial for airlines.

Did you like the scene in general?

LIG

HT

ING

SC

EN

E 0

8

LIG

HT

ING

SC

EN

E 0

6

LIG

HT

ING

SC

EN

E 0

4

LIG

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ING

SC

EN

E 0

3

Figure 4: The most preferable lighting scenes

Did you like the scene in general?

: The most preferable lighting scenes

84%

16%

84%

16%

82%

18%

80%

20%

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

Did you like the scene in general?

LIG

HT

ING

SC

EN

E 1

1

LIG

HT

ING

SC

EN

E 0

2

LIG

HT

ING

SC

EN

E 1

0

LIG

HT

ING

SC

EN

E 0

5

Figure 5: The less preferable lighting scenes

Did you like the scene in general?

lighting scenes

12%

88%

35%

65%

41%

59%

47%53%

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO