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Proposal for a Galley Concept to Enhance Cabin Crew Well-being

JAXA and JAMCO Corporation have collaboratively developed a new galley concept designed to create a more comfortable working environment for cabin crew.

The proposed concept, called Cabin Crew Centered “C”-Galley, features a counter that divides the galley area into distinct work zones. This separation allows each crew member to perform tasks such as meal and beverage preparation without interference from others. As a result, crew movement is streamlined, reducing congestion and creating a smoother, more comfortable working environment.

The galley also include a spacious counter area for comfortable work, liftable storage shelves that can create a closed space when needed, easy-to-use faucets and sinks, and multiple waste bins designed for sorting. Together, these features enhance usability and comfort for cabin crew members.

From the perspective of airline profitability, the galley is designed to maintain the same footprint as existing products, ensuring no loss of cabin space. This makes the concept both practical and highly feasible.


The “C”-Galley is a counter-equipped galley installed at the rear of the aircraft cabin. Its open layout provides clear visibility and avoids any sense of confinement. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

The “C”-Galley is a counter-equipped galley installed at the rear of the aircraft cabin. Its open layout provides clear visibility and avoids any sense of confinement. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

The galley is divided into dedicated work zones for meal preparation, beverage preparation, cabin service (meal service), and in-flight sales. This design allows each crew member to focus on their tasks without interfering with one another’s movements. Inserts such as steam ovens are also placed for easy access and use by crew members. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

The galley is divided into dedicated work zones for meal preparation, beverage preparation, cabin service (meal service), and in-flight sales. This design allows each crew member to focus on their tasks without interfering with one another’s movements. Inserts such as steam ovens are also placed for easy access and use by crew members. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

The wide countertop serves as a work surface during meal and drink preparation. Several meal trolleys are stored beneath the counter, accessible from both sides, enabling smooth handover from the meal preparation crew to the cabin service crew. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

The wide countertop serves as a work surface during meal and drink preparation. Several meal trolleys are stored beneath the counter, accessible from both sides, enabling smooth handover from the meal preparation crew to the cabin service crew. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

Above the counter, liftable storage shelves are installed. When lowered, they create an enclosed space on one side, allowing cabin crew to concentrate on tasks or take a moment to relax. On the other side, the storage shelves can be used as a snack bar for passenger service. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

Above the counter, liftable storage shelves are installed. When lowered, they create an enclosed space on one side, allowing cabin crew to concentrate on tasks or take a moment to relax. On the other side, the storage shelves can be used as a snack bar for passenger service. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

Additional features designed to enhance crew usability include faucets positioned at a convenient height for placing pots, deep sinks for easy disposal of drinks, extended-height beverage cooling compartments, multiple waste bins for sorting, pull-out tables, and monitors to support operations. These ideas are incorporated to improve the overall ease of use for cabin crew. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

Additional features designed to enhance crew usability include faucets positioned at a convenient height for placing pots, deep sinks for easy disposal of drinks, extended-height beverage cooling compartments, multiple waste bins for sorting, pull-out tables, and monitors to support operations. These ideas are incorporated to improve the overall ease of use for cabin crew. (Image courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)

Background

With the continued growth of the aviation industry, global demand for cabin crew is expected to increase. Ensuring an attractive working environment is essential to maintain a talented and motivated workforce. Many cabin crew members start their careers with passion, seeking joy and fulfillment in their work. Interviews with cabin crew over multiple sessions revealed that they particularly find great fulfillment in seeing passengers pleased with the service they provide.

However, although the galley serves as a central workspace for cabin crew, traditional designs—limited by constraints such as storage capacity—have made it difficult to fully optimize crew workflow. As a result, it is not uncommon to see multiple cabin crew members working in a cramped space, often overlapping and interfering with one another.

With crew operability and usability in mind, this new concept provides a solution to this issue while maintaining conventional storage capacity. Aimed at adapting to the evolving values of the aviation industry, the galley has been designed with cabin crew workflow at its core. Each feature has been carefully designed based on feedback gathered from cabin crew interviews. By enabling comfortable and efficient galley operations, the concept contributes to a more supportive workplace for crew members. As a result, the time and mental space gained through improved efficiency allow crew to deliver higher-quality service to passengers. This, in turn, is expected to foster a more rewarding and well-being-oriented working environment for cabin crew.

Nov 11, 2025