Cabin Lighting Systems & Interior Functions

Diehl Aviation has been the global market leader in cabin lighting for decades.

Cabin Lighting Systems

Diehl Aviation's lighting products are of unparalleled quality. The company achieves this by working closely with leading lighting manufacturers during the development phase, enabling it to bring groundbreaking innovations to market. Take LED lighting, for example. In a close research partnership, Diehl Aviation developed this technology for aircraft for the first time ever. This solution saves considerable weight and energy, and is now state of the art.

Another unique selling point is that Diehl Aviation's lighting products offer guaranteed colour accuracy throughout their entire service life. Airlines can rest assured that the lighting will continue to be of the highest quality even after 20 years, and that replacement lights will always match the original colour. To guarantee this, Diehl Aviation maintains its own lighting laboratory. There, lighting ageing is researched in long-term tests and the results are used to plan new lighting installations with an adapted algorithm.

These innovations focus on passenger comfort. Whether it's lighting that adjusts depending on the flight phase or targeted mood lighting, Diehl Aviation develops systems that noticeably enhance passenger well-being on board.

Accent Lighting

These small, flexible lights can be used to create selective accents throughout the cabin, such as along the overhead bins or inside cupboards. These lights are particularly lightweight and energy-efficient.

Smart Surface Illuminations & Projections

Airlines are increasingly keen to use cabin surfaces for special effects or to display additional information. Diehl Aviation is developing various solutions to meet this demand. Take the Dynamic Colour Displays (DCD), for example, which can be used to simulate passing clouds on the cabin ceiling. There are also small LED lights that can be placed almost invisibly in the luggage compartment to enable images or films to be projected onto the side walls. The company has also developed eDecor, a CCA Finalist 2024 product and the world's first decorative film that can change its design thanks to proven E-Ink technology, adapting to the respective flight phase.

Emergency Lighting and Power Supply

For more than 50 years, Diehl Aviation has been supplying emergency lighting systems that remain nearly invisible during normal operation—discreetly integrated between panels or behind ventilation grilles. For new aircraft concepts such as eVTOL, the company is developing innovative solutions in which lighting units store energy during operation themselves, without adding extra load to the emergency power supply.

Diehl Aviation is also a trusted partner in the field of Emergency Lighting Power Supply: with compact, lightweight lithium-ion batteries and intelligent charging management, the system ensures maximum efficiency, high reliability, and long service life—proven across major international aircraft programs worldwide.

Cargo Lighting

Diehl Aviation also supplies lighting for cargo areas on both passenger and all-cargo aircraft. Special challenges: Cargo holds must be optimally lit to ensure rapid loading and unloading. In addition, cargo areas are subject to increased safety regulations, particularly with regard to fire protection. Diehl Aviation has been offering state-of-the-art lighting solutions for decades, which are used in most Airbus passenger aircraft, as well as in the cargo version of the A350.

As a systems provider, the company can supply complete cabin solutions on request, combining the expertise of several specialised departments. For example: Diehl Aviation develops the entire interior lining for an aircraft model, including the lighting system, and connects it to the cabin management system, enabling central control of lighting scenarios. Thanks to the smart integration of all key components from a single source, airlines save weight, space and costs. This also enhances the appearance of the cabin for passengers.