LGD, Boeing, and LIG Nex1 Showcase OLED Technology at Germany Aircraft Interior Expo 2024

Exhibition of OLED Panels for Aircraft in Collaboration of 3 Companies
Flight Test of Boeing New Technology Aircraft for Testing Within the Year

LG Display announced on the 29th that it showcased innovative smart cabin technology at the 'Aircraft Interiors Expo 2024' (AIX) held from the 28th to the 30th (local time) in Hamburg, Germany, together with Boeing and LIG Nex1. AIX is the world's largest exhibition for aircraft interiors and in-flight entertainment equipment, with over 400 companies and more than 13,000 participants including airlines and aircraft parts manufacturers.

Boeing smart cabin booth equipped with LG Display's aviation organic light-emitting diode (OLED). The curved OLED installed to match the ceiling curve and the 55-inch transparent OLED panel installed at the front deliver various video content and in-flight information in real time.
[Photo by LG Display]

The three companies introduced organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology that elevates the in-flight passenger experience to the next level. They presented OLED panels developed since 2020 under the leadership of the Boeing Korea Engineering & Technology Center (BKETC). The focus was on applying and controlling the panels for aircraft use. For the AIX exhibition, the three companies collaborated with Boeing’s subsidiary, Boeing Encore Interiors (Encore). BKETC was established in 2019 and concentrates on research and development (R&D) in artificial intelligence (AI), avionics, and software development.

Four OLED panels were applied inside the Boeing aircraft: a 55-inch large OLED panel at the aircraft entrance area, a curved OLED panel installed to fit the ceiling curve, a 30-inch transparent OLED panel as a partition between cabins, and a 27-inch OLED panel in the crew galley. These panels can display various information such as captain messages, in-flight duty-free sales content, weather conditions, as well as airline branding. Additionally, being lighter than liquid crystal displays (LCDs), they enhance cost efficiency for airlines.

LG Display was responsible for developing aircraft-grade OLED panels that guarantee higher reliability and safety compared to general OLED panels. OLED panels, where each pixel emits its own light, effectively render content in dark environments like aircraft cabins. Their light weight and flexibility make them optimized displays for space-limited aircraft interiors.

LIG Nex1 took charge of developing software and hardware for operating the OLED panel system, as well as supporting system integration compatible with cabin entertainment networks. LIG Nex1 plans to develop equipment optimized for aircraft operating environments through low-power, high-efficiency design.

The three companies plan to continue technology development and testing to apply OLED technology to aircraft. First, the Boeing new technology test aircraft 'Eco Demonstrator' equipped with the smart cabin technology will begin ground and flight tests within this year.

Dylan Jones, Director of BKETC, said, "We are pleased to showcase our efforts to the world through this Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy project," adding, "We hope to contribute to innovating passenger experiences by equipping smart cabin technology on various aircraft in the future."

Michael Sohn, Vice President of Encore, stated, "Advanced OLED screens are a powerful tool to enhance the expression of airline brand identity," and added, "Based on this OLED technology unveiling, we will support more Korean companies to enter the aircraft interior market."

Minhyung Lee, Executive Director of Strategy at LG Display, said, "Aircraft OLED solutions are expected to provide passengers with a new flying experience based on OLED’s distinctive values such as high resolution and ultra-lightweight," and added, "We will closely collaborate with customers to pioneer new OLED markets."

Jungyeol Kim, Director of the Aerospace Research Institute at LIG Nex1, said, "Smart cabins are innovative solutions that maximize airline customer service and user experience," and added, "We hope that LIG Nex1’s capabilities built in the defense sector will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic aerospace industry and serve as an opportunity to find new growth engines in the civilian sector."