CTT Systems targets dry cabin air with onboard humidity solution
This is a special feature from the April 2026 AIX Hamburg issue of PAX Tech, on page 40.
The CTT Humidifier Onboard increases cabin humidity, supporting hydration, improving sleep quality and enhancing sensory details, from taste to touch
With health and wellness major trends currently, cabin humidity control is emerging as the silent hero of premium travel, and CTT Systems is well positioned as an expert.
First Class comes with the well-earned reputation that passengers arrive refreshed and relaxed having done work inflight or watched a movie over a gourmet dinner with fine wines before drifting off to sleep on a lie flat bed.
However, as Ola Häggfeldt, Chief Commercial Officer at CTT Systems, tells PAX Tech, the reality can be somewhat different.
“Typical airline cruise altitudes are above most, if not all, of the water vapor in the atmosphere, so incoming air to refresh the cabin is extremely dry. That means the relative humidity (RH) is dependent on the number of passengers on board and the rate of air recirculation.”
Given the low passenger count in First Class, and depending on the aircraft type, RH can drop to four to five percent—but the minimum comfort level for humans is above 20 percent, Häggfeldt shares.
During flight, the dry cabin air gradually irritates the nose and throat increasing risks of infection during flight and after arrival. There may also be problems with dry eyes, dry skin and allergies.
“And that good food and wine?” asks Häggfeldt, “Low RH levels change the taste in the mouth, alter the viscosity of saliva and reduce the sense of smell.”
Dry air also has a negative impact on sleep.
“Clearly there is a need to increase RH levels in flight, and this can be achieved using the Humidifier Onboard from CTT Systems,” says Häggfeldt.
Ola Häggfeldt, Chief Commercial Officer, CTT Systems
The unit is plumbed directly into the environmental control system supply duct and potable water is sprayed over the top of an evaporation pad for about two seconds every minute. The airstream in the duct evaporates the water and the now moistened air is directed back into the cabin. It can be fitted in premium cabins to produce RH levels of 20 to 25 percent, with a slight increase to 16 percent in Economy.
Humidifier Onboard is flying with four airlines on the A350 with another four to follow on the A350 and 777X. As low RH levels can also affect crew, 70 airlines use it in cockpits and rest areas on A350 aircraft and 787, with the 777X to come.
