If you’ve been flying since the 1970’s, 80’s or even 90’s, you know that little has changed regarding airline seat configurations.
Despite a lack of any major innovation to seating configurations, airlines have been putting more passengers onto airplanes to increase profitability. This has resulted in narrower seats, less leg room, less recline, and in general a less than optimal inflight experience.
I’m all for airlines figuring out ways to increase revenue, but the airline industry is long overdue to innovate airplane seating which is a win for the inflight customer experience and increased profitability. Addressing these issues doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive.
The good news is that change may be on the horizon. Here are three companies that are trying to innovate airline seating configurations.
Earlier this year, Zephry Seat announced their lie-flat airline seat for economy class. Their stackable concept allows passengers to sit upright or lie completely flat, providing a business class-like pod experience.
Zephyr Seat says their design can be retrofitted to existing aircraft without the loss of seating volume. This seems like a win for both the airlines and its passengers, presuming it can be accomplished. I’ll take the top bunk.
A less innovative and simpler idea is the concept of reverse seating introduced by the Italian company, Avio Interiors. Here, the dreaded middle seat faces the opposite direction as the window and aisle seats.
This would seemingly mitigate shoulder to shoulder awkwardness, arm rest disputes, and create a little more space for each passenger. Some have frowned at this configuration since most middle seats would face passengers in the opposing window and aisle seats.
Then there’s Thompson Aero Seating’s concept which offsets or staggers every seat in a row. It’s unclear whether this reduces seating capacity.
However, it could be a quick and easy solution to provide a little personal space, added comfort, and make the passenger not feel ‘squeezed’ into their seat. Even if you’re in the middle row.
