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
HT
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
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