F/LIST: Between craftsmanship, high tech and atmosphere – New impulses for aviation

What makes F/LIST unique as a company?

F/LIST is a family-owned company, and you can truly feel that. Last year, we celebrated our 75th anniversary: It is genuinely inspiring to see what this family has built over three generations. Today, the founder’s granddaughter leads the company with great passion and dedication. We often say that the “F” stands not only for our founder Franz List, but also for Future, Family and Forward Thinking. And that mindset shapes so many aspects of who we are.

What does F/LIST stand for in today’s market?

We specialize in high-end interior solutions and have the privilege of working on some of the world’s most beautiful residences, yachts and aircraft interiors. Aviation is our largest business area, but we also create solutions for luxury residences and, under the brand F/YACHTING, for the yacht industry. What makes us special is that we can cover all of a client’s assets – whether on land, in the air or at sea. That is certainly one of the strongest USPs of the F/LIST Group.

F/LIST has its roots in craftsmanship. What role does that heritage play today?

A very central one. Craftsmanship represents the fundament of our company. It is what made us successful, and it still defines us today – this strong focus on quality, precision and materiality. At the same time, we do not see craftsmanship and technology as opposites. Quite the contrary: for us, they belong together. It is precisely at that intersection that innovation happens. In many ways, there are no limits to craftsmanship at F/LIST.

How does this commitment to innovation take shape in practice?

For us, innovation means deliberately pushing boundaries. We combine craftsmanship with high-tech materials and digital processes, driven by a deep passion for creating new solutions. Our ambition has always been to make possible what others consider impossible. A great example is our stone flooring. The idea was simple: stone can fly. And we proved that with F/LIST, it can. Or take furniture that moves and bends in ways you would never expect. That is exactly what we mean when we say that craftsmanship and technology merge at F/LIST.

What makes F/LIST truly unique in this regard?

For me, it comes down to three main aspects. First, our mindset: we have the courage to take unconventional paths and question the status quo. We do not ask, “Can this be done?” We ask, “How can we make it happen?” Second, our innovation division. Over the past few years, we have built an interdisciplinary R&D team of around 40 people, bringing together expertise from the automotive industry, chemistry, design and materials research. And third, our precision in execution. The interplay of research, prototyping and craftsmanship ultimately results in solutions that are lighter, more robust and aesthetically exceptional.

 

Which topics are currently driving the aviation industry?

Aviation is, of course, a highly regulated field with many requirements and restrictions. One of the most important topics is weight. Lightweight construction can make a tremendous difference in aviation, and that is exactly the direction our material and cabinetry innovations are taking. This includes, for example, ultra-lightweight panels and lightweight composites that still deliver a highly premium tactile experience. At the same time, emotion and wellbeing are becoming increasingly important in the cabin. Airlines want to create stronger storytelling and more atmospheric experiences – and light plays a central role in that.

Why is light becoming more relevant in this context?

Because light has a major impact on how a certain space is perceived. It is about seamless integration into surfaces, precise light guidance and mood-based scenarios. Especially in commercial aviation, we see a growing emphasis on emotional customer experiences. People may not remember every single detail, but they do remember how they felt in that space or during that flight. That is exactly why light is so exciting: it connects function with atmosphere.

What role do partnerships such as the one with SCHOTT play?

A very important one. What excites us is the way our material expertise can be combined with innovative lighting solutions. That is why we always value partners who share a similar mindset. From my perspective, that has worked particularly well with SCHOTT. It is about approaching innovation from a fresh angle and bringing it to the market in a new way. What is especially exciting is the possibility of using materials such as ultra-thin stone veneers to create very deliberate accents – from a single highlight to a broader design concept throughout the cabin.

Finally, on a personal note: what fascinates you most about your work at F/LIST?

What fascinates me is the company’s constant drive for innovation and the culture behind it – this ongoing desire to challenge the status quo. It opens up worlds that you would probably never encounter otherwise. 

Text: Dr. Haike Frank, SCHOTT
Photos: F/LIST, SCHOTT

April 2026


For more information on F/LIST, visit their website: https://f-list.at/en/