A Cambridge, Massachusetts independent designer has come up with some interesting alternative designs for inflight economy seating. The key concept: making use of the empty space that’s currently headroom.
Emil Jacob’s website offers a range of patent-pending design options, from double-decker business class to tiered economy class designs. The Boston Globe recently profiled Jacob and his designs.
“I was looking up at all the height, and I thought it was absurd that people are suffering down here,” Jacob said. “Just a couple of steps away there is a lot of space and comfort.”
[...]
He eventually came up with the “step seat principle.” It involves elevating alternate rows of seats, from one to five steps above the cabin floor, to give passengers more room to lean back in economy class and enough space in business class to lie down, either by sliding their legs under the seat in front of them or stretching out in pods stacked on top of each other – no sweater on the floor required.
Maybe some images would help… Here are some sketches of the concept:
For a premium economy seat, this is pretty good. Hey, you get a bed! And it’s a little more defined than the Lufthansa bunk bed proto-design.
Another of Jacob’s designs is a bit simpler, but makes use of vertical separation to expand legroom while keeping density high. The trick: Inserting a seven-inch platform in alternating rows. Very clever:
Yes, these concepts aren’t perfect. I can imagine the steps causing problems for some passengers, either during boarding, or in an emergency. And some of the designs could lead to a seat shell coming quite close to your face. But I like the way Jacob is thinking.
Airlines, take notice.
Related:
- Three people, six arms, four armrests: Can they coexist?
- Looking backward: Airlines considering alternating forward and rear-facing seats
- Lufthansa considering bunk-bed style sleeper seating in economy class
(images via Boston Globe and Jacob Innovations)
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June 25th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
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#Travel – A Cambridge, Massachusetts independent designer has come up with some interesting alternative.. [link to post]
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June 26th, 2009 at 4:00 am
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A step up for economy class seating [link to post]
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June 26th, 2009 at 7:21 am
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Picture of new economy seating concept that makes use of the empty space that’s currently headroom: [link to post]
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June 26th, 2009 at 7:25 am
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I couldn’t handle a bottom bunk in turbulence. RT @upgradetravel: New post: A step up for economy class seating [link to post]
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June 26th, 2009 at 11:16 am
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Part of me likes this, but the other part is scared. [link to post]
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June 26th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Just shows you how so much of the world we take for granted can still be Innovated in a Big, Useful way. Like Apple did with cell phones.
June 26th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
[...] A step up for economy class seating | Upgrade: Travel Better [...]
June 28th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Great in theory, but the low ceiling will provoke claustrophobia in any person of normal height.
June 30th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Agee that good to have innovative thinking on the topic. And then can make improvements to make it practical. Inventions come out of a dream.
http://www.ourexplorer.com
Travel through the eyes of a local
June 30th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
My wife, who doesn’t like to fly anyway, wants her hand held during take-offs and landings. This would make doing that a little more difficult.
July 6th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Twitter Comment
@storming I personally like this design better than those standing seats on airplanes. [link to post]
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August 28th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
[...] http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/07/19/lufthansa-considering-bunk-bed-style-sleeper-seating-i... [...]