Brazilian student-designed ‘Retrolley’ project recognized at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2017

This year’s Crystal Cabin Award was given to Retrolley, the University of São Paulo (USP)’s project that placed first runner-up in the 2015 Airbus Fly Your Ideas (FYI) student competition.

Project Retrolley, which separates waste as it is collected in the aisle and reduces its volume by up to 30 percent through manual compression, won in the “Greener Cabin, Health, Safety and Environment” category thanks to its ability to save galley space and increases recyclable waste. Only separated recyclable waste can actually be recycled. Retrolley makes its debut at the perfect time as airlines are looking for new and simple solutions to reduce a cabin’s ecological footprint.

Retrolley is the creative brainchild of five Brazilian design USP students that participated in FYI, a worldwide competition challenging students from all disciplines to develop new ideas for the future of aviation.

As first runners-up, the team had the opportunity to advance the innovative project under the direction and guidance of Airbus experts. Last year, the Retrolley design came to life in the form of a demo trolley and even validated by airlines as part of Airbus BizLab Accelerator programme.

USP is clearly a source of talent and creativity, and its students are not new to FYI honours. In 2013, Team Levar, also from USP, won first place with their novel solution to reduce the workload of airport baggage handlers.

In this year’s FYI competition, USP students shined yet again with Flying Kids, an inflatable baby seat that can improve a baby’s comfort and security. Flying Kids placed among the 50 team projects that advanced to the second round of the FYI contest.

For more information please contact:
Liza Goldstein
Communication Coordinator - Airbus Latin America & Caribbean
liza.goldstein@airbus.com