Lufthansa Technik (LHT) has secured the first airline customer for its HeatNOW floor heating system, which it first debuted at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in 2019. German leisure carrier Condor has signed a contract to install HeatNOW in its Airbus A320 fleet.

The system uses patented conductive coating to prevent formation of cold areas in aircraft cabins, which can be caused by very cold air flow due to differential pressure. According to LHT, galley areas in aircraft can sometimes get as cold as -10C (14F), which creates an uncomfortable working environment for cabin crew. In icy ground conditions, LHT says temperature differences can also cause freezing condensation on the door seal and mechanical parts.

HeatNOW consists of a heating pad surrounded by two protective layers that is connected to the aircraft’s on-board power. It can both self-regulate heat, or the power can be regulated in various stages as required, which LHT says prevents hot spots and damage. According to LHT, HeatNOW improves on conventional solutions, such as standard heated floor panels.

LHT says the system is ultra-thin, lightweight, and can be installed easily and flexibly on most floor panels, in galleys and in seating areas. When LHT debuted HeatNOW at AIX 2019, it said it would offer the system as a readily assembled, complete installation kit. It also noted that HeatNOW would be easy to maintain and exchange.

The system is currently certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for A320 and Boeing 737 family aircraft, and LHT says certification can “easily be extended to other aircraft types.” LHT will provide Condor with HeatNOW installation kits, including EASA-certified documentation.

Development of HeatNOW was driven by several airlines asking LHT to create a cost-effective alternative for retrofitting a floor heating system in the cockpit and cabin areas, according to Niels Dose, product sales manager.

“For cargo aircraft operators, HeatNOW is also extremely interesting as an additional floor heating system in the forward galley area between the cockpit and the main cargo bay, where the cargo attendants spend time during the flight,” says Dose. “We believe we are providing a great alternative here, either as an additional heating system in already equipped aircraft or as a full retrofit solution.”