Lift more easily: Diehl Aviation launches overhead-bin retrofit with SWISS
Swiss International Air Lines is the first European airline to introduce the Mechanical Lift System from Diehl Aviation. This system reduces the force required to close overhead bins, easing the physical workload of cabin crews on every flight.
Diehl Aviation and Swiss International Air Lines have completed the first installation of the Mechanical Lift System (MLS) on an Airbus A350 aircraft, marking the start of a wider retrofit program for the airline´s fleet. SWISS is the first European airline to introduce the system. The installation was carried out during a working party involving SWISS TechOps and specialists from Diehl Aviation’s Customer Service and On-Site Support.
The Mechanical Lift System reduces the force required to close overhead bins by up to 30 percent. For cabin crews, this means less physical effort during boarding and cabin preparation, especially on long-haul flights with heavy carry-on luggage. Operating purely mechanically and without electrical components, the system is simple to maintain and reliable in daily airline operations.
The MLS is designed specifically as a retrofit solution: it can be integrated into existing overhead-bin installations without altering cabin architecture or reducing stowage volume. Installation can be performed efficiently within regular maintenance windows, minimizing aircraft downtime.
During the modification, the joint teams carried out structural adjustments to bins and housings before reinstalling the units. A Part-145 audit completed prior to the project confirmed the required quality and process standards.
In parallel, the teams conducted hands-on training and technical exchange with SWISS engineering staff, enabling the local maintenance organization to quickly become familiar with the modification process and best practices.
Interest in the system is also emerging internationally. Last Year, an U.S. airline also began introducing the MLS to its fleet as a retrofit.
“With the Mechanical Lift System, we deliver practical operational improvements to aircraft already in service," said Jörg Schuler, the CEO of Diehl Aviation. "Drawing on decades of service and aftermarket experience, we provide solutions that directly benefit airlines and their crews. In this case, the system reduces physical workload, fits seamlessly into existing cabins, and maintains operational reliability, showing our holistic approach to enhancing in-service aircraft.”
Diehl Aviation continues to expand its portfolio of retrofit-capable cabin solutions, building on decades of experience in service and aftermarket operations. The MLS reflects the company’s focus on practical, crew-centered improvements that can be deployed quickly and reliably on existing aircraft.