At an innovation fair in Germany, a young man might have just found a way to seat more people in an aircraft while simultaneously giving them more legroom and accessibility.
How could such a thing be possible? Check out these double-decker airplane seats.
23-year-old designer Alejandro Núñez Vicente presented a revised concept of his original vision that flopped at last year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. When the expo came back around, Vicente proved himself flexible and open to constructive criticism.
His new-and-improved design solves many issues that people identified, particularly those to do with claustrophobia.
First things first—this isn’t likely to be seen aboard a flight any time soon. However, he is in the process of getting approval from all the major air travel regulatory bodies.
The Chaise ‘Longue,’ as Vicente’s design is called, would be situated in the middle row of large aircraft, with the aisle/window seats remaining how we’ve always known them.
Those opting for these seats would sacrifice the inflight entertainment system for more comfort, with legroom that would easily accommodate people above 6 feet 2 inches in height on the bottom level, and seats that recline far further back on the upper level.
The upper level is reached by 2 sturdy steps, while the seats on the bottom level can fold up movie theater-style to accomodate wheelchair passengers.
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“We know that this will work at some point and people will be grateful for it even though they don’t know it now, they will be grateful that someone was pushing for a new economy class seat,” Vicente told CNN Travel.
Indeed, most airlines aren’t interested in innovations in economy seating. First class and business class is typically where innovations happen. Subject to one of the highest degrees of mass regulation of any industry, large airlines have almost no time or budgetary consideration for permanently addressing economy concerns.
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For years, as Vicente pointed out, the only consideration ever given was how to fit more passengers into the plane’s economy section. The Chaise Longue is a way to clear two hurdles with one leap—getting more passengers on a plane, thereby lowering the ticket cost for everyone, and improving the flying experience—at least for those in the middle row.
FLY This Aircraft Seat Concept Over To Your Friends And See What They Say…
Hurray for such innovative thinking! There can also be fewer flights with more people being accommodated per flight and savings on fuel emissions!
While this seems like a good idea, I’d like to know the distance between the seats especially when the upper is extended over the lower. And the butt-in-face aspect makes me suggest that some kind of fan can be directed away from the lower seats in case of flatulence. If you travel a lot, you will understand exactly why I say these things.
I hope the regulations will support these innovations! More power to it!