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Simple Geometry = More Seats In an Airline

Posted by timothy on from the argument-to-moderation dept.

New submitter innerpeace writes: New airline seat arrangement looks to increase passenger capacity. A patent application by Zodiac Seats France calls for a design that puts every other passenger in a row facing backward. That means that in a row of three fliers, the seat by the window and the seat by the aisle face toward the front of the plane while the middle seat faces toward the back. The design idea could fit up to 80 more passengers in a plane, depending on the current seat layout. Whatever downsides it has, if such a design is adopted, I hope it leads to a stronger adoption of a convention that those with window seats board first.

7 of 394 comments (clear)

  1. So will stacking us vertically by gurps_npc · · Score: 5, Insightful
    It isn't about getting more seats in a plane, it's about doing so without making people uncomfortable.

    This looks like it would work fine if everyone knew each other - but would suck if you had an annoying seat mate. Who wants to be forced to look at them - or have them look at you?

    This design violates current social norms for personal space. As such I dislike it.

    --
    excitingthingstodo.blogspot.com
    1. Re:So will stacking us vertically by Dunbal · · Score: 5, Insightful

      But do you dislike it enough to pony up for business/first class tickets? No? Then suffer, cattle.

      --
      Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
    2. Re:So will stacking us vertically by fyngyrz · · Score: 5, Funny

      Come on. Modern air travel via coach is just about perfect.

      For one-armed, one-legged people. Who have the patience of a saint with screaming babies. And the immune system of a god. And have deluded themselves that the TSA actually does something useful. And can go long intervals without actual food.

      Perfect, like I said.

      --
      I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
    3. Re:So will stacking us vertically by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Interesting

      But do you dislike it enough to pony up for business/first class tickets?

      That is not the only alternative design. This above/below pod design fits in more seats while actually increasing personal space. Even economy seats would fully recline.

    4. Re: So will stacking us vertically by ZeroWaiteState · · Score: 5, Funny

      Unfortunately, we will have to chain passengers to the oars. We regret any inconvenience.

    5. Re:So will stacking us vertically by cahuenga · · Score: 5, Funny

      Oh it's not so bad. Was once on a flight in Guatemala with one backward facing row.... staring at a mother breastfeeding her baby in turbulence all the way to Costa Rica. I'll never forget that flight.

  2. It isn't about comfort by BigSlowTarget · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It is about staying within safety guidelines mandating the speed of evacuation of aircraft. Beyond that it's about not violating social standards so much that too many fights break out (they're expensive). After that it's about stuffing the most people in with the final limit being not making too many of them so uncomfortable they are willing to pay more for a more expensive seat. There are finally concerns about the actual cost of manufacture of the seats. Southwest has had seats facing each other in exit rows for a long time.