How Do Airlines Choose Their Color Scheme? An Aviation Interior Designer Weighs In

Have you ever noticed how ideas and emotions just flow once you’re 30,000 feet in the air? Whether it’s journaling out a problem, getting a little work in, or catching up on blockbusters on the inflight entertainment unit, it’s like being above the clouds fosters a deeper sense of introspection and creativity.

As it turns out—there’s a reason so many of us feel this sense of creative liberty while in the air. It has a little to do with the anticipation of flying and the fact that, well, you have nowhere else to be for a few hours, but the design and color scheme of the airplane cabin has also been specifically designed to foster a sense of inspiration and comfort.

According to Vivian Lo, general manager of design and customer experience at Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific, when planning a new airline cabin, the main priority of most designers is to create a relaxing and comfortable space that evokes a sense of relaxation, not too far off from something you’d feel at home but inspiring enough to build anticipation for your next destination.

Here’s what goes into choosing an airline color and design scheme according to Lo—and how you can foster a similar sense of creativity and peace in the corners of your own home:

Calming but aspirational colors and textures

“Every design element has been carefully crafted for the utmost comfort,” says Lo, of Cathay Pacific’s most recent Aria Suite business class cabin. “From the texture of the seat fabric to the customizable ambient lighting, its soft-touch suede walls, natural wool seat fabric, and gold-accented touchpoints all come together to create a calming sensory experience.”

The juxtaposition of soft and industrial

“The main body of the seat, for example, is made of wool designed for comfort and breathability, with an all-in-one design to ensure a seamless bed surface,” Lo explained, adding that while the headrest and ottoman are made from a deep-hued premium leather. The sand-colored wool helps to offset the feeling of being overly industrial, creating a harmony that juxtaposes both soft and industrial design and colors which is key to a thought-evoking airline cabin.

Take inspiration from calming arts and culture

“Our intention for The Aria Suite is to give it its own moment while complementing the overall experience on Cathay Pacific,” says Lo. She explained that in music, an aria is a solo performance within a larger piece of work, which is what a well-designed airline cabin should represent—just one piece of the overall travel experience while emphasizing a great sense of space and relaxation. It might be tight quarters but a well-designed cabin, according to Lo, should feel like each passenger has their own little slice of comfort.

Create a multi-functional design aesthetic

“No matter how seasoned one is at traveling, travel can be stressful. When creating an airline cabin, we take a lot of care into creating a cocoon oasis of personal space that can transport one away,” adds Lo. “The experience should create a calming environment for a relaxing flight, regardless if one chooses to sleep, enjoy entertainment, work or socialize with travel companions.”

Soft lighting is key

In line with the multi-functional aesthetic, Lo believes soft lighting hues are key to comfort in the sky. “With the Aria Suite’s unique sculptural form, ambient lighting and crafted textiles, the suite places the traveler at the center of the experience,” she explains. “Through attention to detail, travelers can feel this artistry as they fly through the skies.”

Blending fine art with design

Additionally, the new Gallery in the Skies complements the cabin. Not all airlines incorporate fine art into the cabin design, but Cathay Pacific believes that the addition of visual art in the cabin helps create a more authentic and lived-in feeling for passengers. “The sky-high art gallery showcases a selection of artworks from artists with a deep connection to Hong Kong, each offering a different perspective on nature, ranging from urban landscapes to vividly imagined dreamscapes,” she explains.

Think human-centric design and comfort

When asked about how travelers can bring home this sense of creativity and peace into their own space, Lo suggested focusing on human-centric design while maximizing comfort and embracing dimension in their design choices. This could look like a woolly chaise lounge in the window with an industrial-inspired lamp to create a multi-dimensional reading and journaling nook or using a soft wood serving tray to enjoy a coffee in bed; anything that brings a sense of coziness and whimsy into your day-to-day.

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