New approach to carpet shortlisted for 2026 Crystal Cabin Award
Volarex by sky-Tiles and DeepBlue Studios is vying for a Crystal Cabin Award
Volarex by Sky-Tiles®, developed in collaboration with DeepBlue Studios, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Crystal Cabin Awards in the Cabin Technologies.
Sky-Tiles® is a product of SkyPaxxx Interiors Repairs, now part of the newly formed Latitude Interiors Group following its merger with Latitude Aero earlier this year.
Developed in partnership with DeepBlue Studios, Volarex represents a new approach to aircraft interior carpet — merging cutting-edge material science, aesthetic flexibility, and operational practicality to meet the evolving demands of modern aircraft cabins.
According to the company, it was designed with a clear focus on enhancing the passenger experience, supporting airline branding and customization and addressing weight, durability, and maintainability considerations critical to operators and OEMs.
“Being shortlisted for the Crystal Cabin Awards is a meaningful recognition of the innovation behind Volarex and the vision that drove its development,” said Rick Lockhart CEO of Latitude Interiors Group. “Our goal with Volarex was to rethink how cabin surfaces can perform, adapt, and elevate the aircraft interior experience—and this acknowledgment reinforces that direction.”
Anthony Harcup, Founder & CEO at DeepBlue Studios, added, “We loved the Sky-tiles product because it is a new and innovative approach to an old problem. The Volarex concept was the result of using design to explore and exploit its transformative potential. Carpet has always been one of the most overlooked parts of the cabin. Volarex turns it into endlessly flexible branding and passenger-experience real estate, in a way that’s cost-effective, low risk, and scalable across any aircraft. That combination is incredibly rare, and it is why this project has been such an honor to be part of,” he added.
The Crystal Cabin Awards finalists will be announced in February 2026, with winners revealed on April 16, 2026, during the awards ceremony held in conjunction with Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany.
