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Airbus Patents Adjustable Seats, In-Seat Storage For Aircarft (consumerist.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the packed-like-sardines dept.

AmiMoJo writes: Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, has recently applied for a pair of airplane seat patents that simultaneously look to increase customer comfort while stripping away what little room remains. The first patent is for a "Re-Configurable Passenger Bench Seat," which allows seat belts and arm rests to be moved to accommodate different size passengers (e.g. two large adults, or two small adults and two small children in a row). The second patent places a storage box under each seat, which is accessed by raising the seat cushion. Of course, this means there wouldn't be room for your feet under the seat in front of you.

103 comments

  1. No room for feet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    who needs them anyway in the age of segway and co? amputate your legs, and get robo-legs. Only wear them if required and you can get billed extra for your legs in your luggage.

    1. Re:No room for feet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Some airlines will go further, capitalizing on the storage volume available inside of *you*. When you board you'll receive a hollow dildo filled with the goods to be transported. The TSA will help with the extraction, asking to disregard any continued back and forth movement you might feel.

    2. Re:No room for feet by davester666 · · Score: 1

      Well the TSA has to check there anyway, it's only logical that they at least install a plug with a seal so you can't get anything up there after you go through security.

      It's a courtesy to permit you to store some of your belongings in this security device.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
    3. Re:No room for feet by RockDoctor · · Score: 1
      Breakfast in Los Angeles. Lunch in New York. Luggage in Murmansk. Left leg in Paris (Tx) and right leg in Paris (France).

      What could possibly go wrong?

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  2. FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Commercial air travel is the #1 industry in which the customer is routinely and perpetually FUCKED.

    It will always get worse for airline customers, never better.

    1. Re:FUCK airlines by AmiMoJo · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Commercial air travel is the #1 industry in which the customer is routinely and perpetually FUCKED."

      I've never been able to get that level of service from the cabin crew.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    2. Re: FUCK airlines by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 1

      Only if you aren't paying enough for the 'better' classes.

      --
      Jumpstart the tartan drive.
    3. Re:FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Commercial air travel is the #1 industry in which the customer is routinely and perpetually FUCKED.

      It will always get worse for airline customers, never better.

      Actually, as someone travelling transatlantic for business for decades, it has gotten significantly better. Most airlines have fx switched to seats that are completely lie-flat beds, *huge* improvement. And it has not gotten more expensive. Problem is that a very large part of the customer base is chasing the cheapest flight tickets possible to get, and they will get a race to the bottom in comfort and service, obviously.

    4. Re: FUCK airlines by GuB-42 · · Score: 1

      Which post are you replying to?

    5. Re:FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      On the routes that I fly (USA to Asia), an economy class ticket will be on the order of $1,000 while a first class ticket will be on the order of $20,000. Hard to believe, but upgrading to first class costs almost as much as a new car. And, even harder to believe, there are plenty of people who can easily afford the first class tickets.

    6. Re: FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Only if you aren't paying enough for the 'better' classes.

      It depends on the airline, too.

      My experience with British Air is that they have made it their primary mission to make the economy experience a living hell.

      But Japan Airlines recently added an extra 10cm of leg-room to their economy class (absolute heaven!). And the Japan Airline stewardesses are friendly to everyone - even in economy class.

    7. Re:FUCK airlines by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      It will always get worse for airline customers, never better.

      Really? I'm on holiday. My international flight (one way) cost just as much as a return train ticket from Rotterdam to Schiphol airport (1h trip).

      Flying used to be reserved for the wealthy. It just keeps getting better and better.

      Greetings from Barcelona

    8. Re:FUCK airlines by blindseer · · Score: 4, Funny

      Okay, so our flight just landed and I'm siting near the back of the plane, not far from the galley door. As we are taxiing to the jetway the pilot gets on the PA and says something about the weather outside and where we can get our bags. We hear him hang up the mike but it's still active. The next thing we hear is the pilot saying to the co-pilot, "Man, what I could use right now is a hot coffee and a blow job." I see the stewardess in the galley go running to the flight deck door. I yell up to her as she passes, "Lady! You forgot the coffee!"

      --
      I am armed because I am free. I am free because I am armed.
    9. Re: FUCK airlines by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Only if you aren't paying enough for the 'better' classes.

      or consistently flying crappy airlines.

      I'm looking forward to a Singapore Airlines flight from Perth to London later this week. 5.5 hours PER-SIN, 14 hours SIN-LHR. It doesn't bother me as much because it's Singapore. Good food, 19" wide seats in economy, top notch service and good IFE's as well as 30 KG checked luggage IN ECONOMY with no Krisflyer status (I've got Krisflyer Silver so I get an extra 10 KG on top of that).

      Its only really US/Western airlines that practice the whole "sit down, strap in and shut up" school of running an airline, even flying COPA to South America was positively brilliant in comparison.

      In fact, Singapore is the only frequent flyer program I actually am a member of.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    10. Re: FUCK airlines by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 1

      There was an anonymous post, which seems to now have been down voted to zero, so you probably aren't seeing it now. Just adjust the post filter level to see it.

      --
      Jumpstart the tartan drive.
    11. Re: FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh hoh ho ho. almost 4 inches? Of course the Japanese get excited over a four inch difference.

    12. Re: FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You don't need to jump straight to first class. I (ac above) was talking about regular business class. Europe-Asia on business class is usually about 2,500-3,000 usd, 2-3 times the price of economy. Great comfort (flat beds) and service, totally different flying experience than economy.

    13. Re:FUCK airlines by daknapp · · Score: 1

      Some of us (e.g. anyone who works for the federal government and many federal contractors) are required to use the cheapest available tickets. It's not like we have a choice. The airlines, in pursuing lower base ticket prices at the expense of even minimal service, have completely screwed us, because we have to buy them.

      I'm very tall (2 m) and regular economy seats are, quite literally, torture. I succeeded in convincing my organization to let me upgrade to Economy Plus (or the equivalent) by claiming that, for me, it's an ergonomics issue. But it took months of fighting.

    14. Re: FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is basically market competition. As long as some airlines offer cheaper flights and many customers flow to these, then all have the choice to follow or loose the business of these customers.

    15. Re:FUCK airlines by bytesex · · Score: 1

      Why did you take the train? There's flights going from Rotterdam to Barca. Better airport too.

      --
      Religion is what happens when nature strikes and groupthink goes wrong.
    16. Re:FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      On the routes that I fly (USA to Asia), ... even harder to believe, there are plenty of people who can easily afford the first class tickets.

      Yup, but not everybody is starting fright in the US. and not everybody get US grade pay check.
      For that reason we are reluctant to move our engineers frequently into US. It is called offshoring ... VPN is good enough "experience".
      If our customer wishes on site presence those airline tickets are included into bill. After few trips tele-presence is "good enough"

    17. Re:FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think that in terms of passenger numbers and actual discomfort, trains are a lot worse. Especially in the rush hours, trains are packed like sardine cans.

    18. Re:FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can't count how many handjobs I've gotten from copilots.

    19. Re: FUCK airlines by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      Four inches is the difference between having a tray that you can actually use when the person in front of you leans back, and one you can't. And, in your case, it will now allow you to be fully erect.

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
    20. Re: FUCK airlines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Of course the Japanese get excited over a four inch difference.

      So does your mom.

    21. Re: FUCK airlines by ChickPea · · Score: 1

      Was funny when I first heard it, 30 years ago.

    22. Re:FUCK airlines by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      There's flights going from Rotterdam to Barca. Better airport too.

      Same reason I'm defending the airlines. Cost. It wasn't worth spending twice as much money for the trip for my girlfriend, and since this started as a corporate trip I was restricted with airline choice.

      That's one thing I will be critical of airlines. Pricing models are inconsistent. KLM is cheaper to take in peak periods than Transavia, but more expensive during off peak. Iberia airlines was cheaper than a Vueling flight from Valencia to Amsterdam even though both options were using the same physical plane.

  3. prior art? by pesho · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the drawings it looks like they patented the back seat of my car and some Ikea furniture.

    1. Re:prior art? by Z00L00K · · Score: 2

      And who needs adjustable aicraft seats these days? The spacing between the seats is so tight that if someone leans back the seat the person behind will get crippled.

      --
      If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
    2. Re:prior art? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Yep. Last time I flew I had a nice shoving match with the person in front of me, culminating with actually having to talk to the stupid arrogant fuck. I don't like to talk to people who are any of those things, but someone who repeatedly smashes your knees with their seat without looking back to see what's happening after the first time needs to go out an airlock, let alone out the door of an airplane without a chute. Then they gave me dirty looks about it, as if I set the spacing of the seats or as if I were the one who gave away the exit row and bulkhead seats to short people, when both are the airline's fault. Americans are getting bigger, but American air companies are taking away space. What do people think will happen?

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:prior art? by Z00L00K · · Score: 1

      Every air company packs people tighter and tighter, and if you have a problem with the average air company, don't fly Ryan Air.

      --
      If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
    4. Re:prior art? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Every air company packs people tighter and tighter, and if you have a problem with the average air company, don't fly Ryan Air.

      I certainly won't. This was a business flight to Vegas, but it was on one of the major airlines, though I forget which. These days I have a big luxo-barge with Recaros and I would rather just drive, thanks.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    5. Re:prior art? by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      Yep. Last time I flew I had a nice shoving match with the person in front of me, culminating with actually having to talk to the stupid arrogant fuck. I don't like to talk to people who are any of those things, but someone who repeatedly smashes your knees with their seat without looking back to see what's happening after the first time needs to go out an airlock, let alone out the door of an airplane without a chute. Then they gave me dirty looks about it, as if I set the spacing of the seats or as if I were the one who gave away the exit row and bulkhead seats to short people, when both are the airline's fault. Americans are getting bigger, but American air companies are taking away space. What do people think will happen?

      I develop small bladder syndrome. Getting up with the guy in front reclined? Almost impossible and you'll bump and shake the seat just maneuvering in and out. Any sleep the guy plans on getting gets done in 15 minute blocks before another vigorous shake, bump and rattle wakes him up again.

      Of course, perhaps they should just take away the ability to recline - it would make for a simpler seat in the end which would let them stuff more people in.

  4. Fig 6 by Mats+Svensson · · Score: 1

    Is that Tom Cruise, sitting next to John Stewart?

    1. Re:Fig 6 by darthsilun · · Score: 1

      Looks more like Gandalf (without the beard and pointy hat) and Frodo.

  5. Fatties by Improv · · Score: 2

    I first read about this in another context, which was about making airplanes more comfortable for really fat people. Although I hate the random event of sitting next to a fat person and having them spill over into my space (and trying to force them not to do that), I hate more that my space could simply be reduced because some slider was scooted over for them.

    --
    For every problem, there is at least one solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.
    1. Re:Fatties by AmiMoJo · · Score: 4, Interesting

      In theory it should make things better for large passengers. Instead of buying two seats they could buy 1.5 seats, so two could sit together in a row normally seating three.

      Of course getting people to pay more because of size opens up a whole can of worms. Would tall people pay more for extra leg room, or small people get a discount?

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    2. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Will the resizing be done prior to boarding based on measurements at checkin (and/or data you enter upon buying your ticket)? Or will it be up to the seat occupants to fight it out among themselves?

      If the first option is correct then will I get a discount to compensate for the space stolen from me by the fattie sitting next to me? As for case 2... nice people will lose out as they cave to social pressure, while the more sociopathic who are less sensitive to the disapproval of others will just tell the aforementioned fattie to fuck off.

      (also: if I lose the ability to put my feet under the seat in front of me, where exactly am I to put them? Overhead storage?

    3. Re:Fatties by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      Why not? You can already pay more for leg room if you want to. It's just called first class. Also they already limit the weight of luggage that can be brought on or charge you extra for taking more luggage.

      There have already been some airlines considering or implementing ticket prices based on weight since it adds to fuel costs, which are a moderate portion of the flight's expenses. Just give everyone a base rate of weight between their person or luggage and adjust the cost based on the actual total weight.

      I don't really see the can of worms here.

    4. Re:Fatties by delt0r · · Score: 1

      Us tall people already *do* pay more for leg room. Most airlines these days will not let you pick the fire exit rows without paying extra.

      --
      If information wants to be free, why does my internet connection cost so much?
    5. Re:Fatties by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      I think it would fall foul of discrimination laws in Europe and maybe the US. For example, someone with a medical condition that causes weight gain... The airlines aren't allowed to charge extra for wheelchairs or crutches or other essential medical equipment.

      In practical terms it would be impossible for the airline to investigate every single passenger to see if they had a genuine medical condition.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    6. Re:Fatties by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 1

      I think it would fall foul of discrimination laws in Europe and maybe the US. For example, someone with a medical condition that causes weight gain...

      They have already had that lawsuit in Canada and so now the airlines have to accommodate extremely obese people with extra seats due to human rights laws. I'm just waiting for a tall person to sue them for free access to exit row seats and then I'll be set...but apparently us tall people seem to be far less litigious although with the new long distance cabins Air Canada is introducing I expect the reduction in legroom those have might be the tipping point...

    7. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I'm a 6'1", pretty fit guy. On a recent flight it was physically impossible for me to sit on the window seat I had been assigned. I demonstrated to the stewardess that I'd have to half-stand with my arse half way up the backrest and my head smashed into the ceiling, or sit with my knees up at headrest height. My thighbones were simply longer than the space between one seat and the next.

      They bumped me up to business class, which was very nice of them, but not my point. I'm not freakishly tall; about 10% of men are taller than me. Why are they allowed to sell seats that will be unsuitable for so many of their customers at all? Why is there no (inter)national requirement for slightly larger seats? In the event of an emergency it's a genuine safety concern if I'm crammed into an aisle seat (which often helps with legroom issues). Frankly I think I do my part by reaching things on high shelves at the supermarket and having a shorter life expectancy; I don't see why I should have to pay a "tall tax" on airfare too.

    8. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm a 6'1", pretty fit guy. On a recent flight it was physically impossible for me to sit on the window seat I had been assigned.

      Which airline? Not all airlines are equally evil.

      For example, Japan Airlines recently added an extra 10cm of leg-room to their lowest economy class seats - which is absolute heaven.

      And the Japan Airlines stewardesses are friendly to everyone - even people in the lowest economy class.

    9. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Would tall people pay more for extra leg room

      They already do. A number of airlines charge extra for exit row seats, others have "economy plus" seats with extra legroom (at increased cost).

    10. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm one of those fatties. Fear not, fellow citizens, I just don't fly anymore. I drive anywhere I want to go. Sure, this means I will never visit another continent, but I'm a stinking American so everyone on the other continents hates me already anyway. At least the Canadians are still polite about it. Mostly.

    11. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm 6"5', and the only way I can fit on some airlines is by either (a) angling my legs sort-of semi-cornerwise and downwards so my knees are almost-but-not-quite under the seat in front to the side (it's hard to describe and not very comfortable) or (b) folding them upwards against the seat in front (not comfortable, not good for the person in front, so I don't do this in reality - but it does work in theory). If airlines start to put boxes under the seats that rules out option a... really don't know what I'd do then as I simply cannot afford business class.

    12. Re:Fatties by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Would tall people pay more for extra leg room

      They already do. They are called "exit row seats" or "economy plus". They typically charge between $10-$50 extra depending on the flight.

    13. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I assume that by "First Class", you mean what we call "Business Class" in Australia.

      Actual "First Class" isn't an option, unless you're used to buying a brand new car every time you leave the house.

    14. Re:Fatties by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Of course getting people to pay more because of size opens up a whole can of worms. Would tall people pay more for extra leg room, or small people get a discount?

      Sounds like you're unfamiliar with airlines. Would you like some help?

      If airlines were allowed to charge by the KG they will pick a stupidly low weight like 40 KG for adults (because our research indicates this is the optimum weight) and then charge per KG extra. Same will happen with any size measurement.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    15. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Airlines should treat people as people, not cargo.

      American in the U.S here.

      While I haven't been on a plane since 1999, we probably need to update our laws so that there are better minimum seat pitches, widths, etc. for all individuals.

    16. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Please, god, yes. That way I can go on two extra business trips for the price of bringing my wife on one.

      It's not just her size, it's her habit of buying a water bottle *every time we stop for any reason*, taking one sip from each, and putting each in a different pocket of our luggage, her bag, our coats, etc., etc. And I wind up carrying all this debris as she waddles her way through the concourse, kvetching about how we don't have enough water.

      If she'd drink it instead of eating all the granola and a latte every 20 minutes, maybe she wouldn't waddle so much.

    17. Re:Fatties by AchilleTalon · · Score: 1

      Economy plus seats are a fraud.

      --
      Achille Talon
      Hop!
    18. Re:Fatties by SpaghettiPattern · · Score: 1
      OK, I'll bite. Too.

      The fatties arguments mostly consider weight exclusively; Heavier people pay must pay more because they consume more. Sounds fair. But isn't quite.

      There is evidence that obesity may shield from depression. I maintain that obese people are more likely to contribute to good mood and harmony between people and that hence the world is a better place because of that. I admit that it's hard to quantify this but let's consider this as a truth anyway. Would it be fair to put a chagrin tax on slim people?

      --

      I hadn't the slightest objection to his spending his time planning massacres for the bourgeoisie... (P.G. Wodehouse)
    19. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They already do this. Kids pay less than adults...

    20. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The airlines have been making the extremely overweight pay for another seat for over a decade. As a large person myself, but one able to squeeze into a small seat and make you uncomfortable (which sucks for us all), I'm happy to see the option of paying a reasonable amount more (not double) to have comfort for myself, and not have to rub my haunches on you. And, equally, you're probably happy for the separation. Overall, win-win.

    21. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My wife proposal - (yes whole 5'4" curvy bundle) - I wish that they weight passengers with their luggage.
      Me and one suitcase - that is 250 lb
      Her and two suitcases - that is 250 lb
      and this more or less is what we need while traveling.
      make cargo allowance somewhere in range 275-300 lb and this is it. Your lard or your suitcase. Your choice.

    22. Re:Fatties by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      I'd need a citation on that. Everything I've read has found a link between obesity and depression, although most of it is merely a correlation without further examining the causal relationship.

    23. Re: Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's because conservatives in the US have so many people believing that any regulation at all is a Communist plot. So be quiet and just do what your corporate overlords decide is best. If legroom is a problem then maybe you need to be richer, or maybe you should have just decided to be born smaller.

    24. Re:Fatties by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      Economy plus seats are a fraud.

      Nothing fraudulent about them. You get more room, you pay more money. The fact that Economy is fucked is beside the point.

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
    25. Re:Fatties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In a genuine emergency your all dead anyway. Get over it. Airlines like Japan Airlines have seats much closer together because the average passage is much smaller. Vote with your wallet. And if your only ever going to always pick the cheapest airline. Well......

    26. Re:Fatties by mjwx · · Score: 1

      They already do this. Kids pay less than adults...

      Which is why they make a 13 yr old pay a full adult fare... because kids stop growing at 12 right, guys, right?

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    27. Re:Fatties by SpaghettiPattern · · Score: 1

      Results from a study on McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. showed indications. Here's one report on huffingtonpost.ca.

      --

      I hadn't the slightest objection to his spending his time planning massacres for the bourgeoisie... (P.G. Wodehouse)
  6. FFS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Storage under a seat cushion, how is this bollocks patentable?. So is "but on a plane" the new "but on a phone".

  7. A proposed third patent that will make a fortune! by Swave+An+deBwoner · · Score: 1

    I have an idea for a third patent: Drill two holes in the storage box under the seat in front of you to make room for your feet.

  8. sounds horrible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i'm pretty small and i still find sitting in airplane seats unbearable enough as it is.... having it further adjusted to "fit smaller passengers" sounds like hell.

    1. Re:sounds horrible by murdocj · · Score: 2

      Same here... my legs are in agony if they can't extend under the seat in front of me. 6 hours with my legs doubled up would probably be considered torture. Why not just give me an injection, knock me out, and stuff me in the cargo hold?

    2. Re:sounds horrible by paiute · · Score: 3, Funny

      Why not just give me an injection, knock me out, and stuff me in the cargo hold?

      US Patent 56,885,322

      --
      If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
    3. Re:sounds horrible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd actually prefer that to sitting in the cramped seats. The injection however, would make the whole thing more expensive and/or risky. Just turn the whole plane into a japanese style "capsule hotel", so they can actually stack the passengers.

    4. Re:sounds horrible by theycallmeB · · Score: 1

      Same here... my legs are in agony if they can't extend under the seat in front of me. 6 hours with my legs doubled up would probably be considered torture. Why not just give me an injection, knock me out, and stuff me in the cargo hold?

      Because human bodies do not respond nearly as well to being treated like luggage as luggage does.

    5. Re:sounds horrible by blindseer · · Score: 1

      I don't know if it is airline policy or just some of the airline staff that give a damn. I can remember a couple times I approach the ticket counter and the person behind the desk says something like, "I'll get you an exit row seat." Oh, did I mention I'm in the 1%? I'm taller than 99% of the US population.

      Another time I was seated in the most rear seat on the plane. There was a bulkhead directly behind the seat so it was a bit closer to the one in front and it could not recline. One of the cabin crew asked if I wanted a different seat. At this point the plane was already moving, the flight was near capacity, and it was only about a 45 minute hop in the plane. I refused a different seat, I didn't want the plane to stop because a passenger wasn't buckled in.

      Those were some of the better flights. I had a rather memorable flight where I was in a window seat in a rather small plane. The curvature of the cabin was such that I could not put both of my size 15 feet on the floor. I spent the entire flight shuffling my feet around looking for a comfortable position. Also, the walls were barely insulated, I was freezing.

      I learned a few things. First, bring some big poofy headphones to block out the noise. I got some rather expensive headphones that are excellent at blocking out the noise and they sound great. During the few moments I had to take them off to talk to the crew about drinks or food made me realize just how noisy those planes are. Then I put my headphones back on and re-enter my own little world.

      What also helps in staying in my own happy little world is not far from you idea of getting sedated and tossed in as cargo. I make sure to bring my prescription pain meds with me. Not that I think I'll be in pain, the calming effect of a narcotic keeps me sane. I perhaps, just maybe, forget when I took my last pill and take another just in case. Add in some over the counter stuff and I'm in la-la land for the duration of the flight.

      --
      I am armed because I am free. I am free because I am armed.
    6. Re:sounds horrible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't know if it is airline policy or just some of the airline staff that give a damn. I can remember a couple times I approach the ticket counter and the person behind the desk says something like, "I'll get you an exit row seat." Oh, did I mention I'm in the 1%? I'm taller than 99% of the US population.

      Another time I was seated in the most rear seat on the plane. There was a bulkhead directly behind the seat so it was a bit closer to the one in front and it could not recline. One of the cabin crew asked if I wanted a different seat. At this point the plane was already moving, the flight was near capacity, and it was only about a 45 minute hop in the plane. I refused a different seat, I didn't want the plane to stop because a passenger wasn't buckled in.

      Those were some of the better flights. I had a rather memorable flight where I was in a window seat in a rather small plane. The curvature of the cabin was such that I could not put both of my size 15 feet on the floor. I spent the entire flight shuffling my feet around looking for a comfortable position. Also, the walls were barely insulated, I was freezing.

      I learned a few things. First, bring some big poofy headphones to block out the noise. I got some rather expensive headphones that are excellent at blocking out the noise and they sound great. During the few moments I had to take them off to talk to the crew about drinks or food made me realize just how noisy those planes are. Then I put my headphones back on and re-enter my own little world.

      What also helps in staying in my own happy little world is not far from you idea of getting sedated and tossed in as cargo. I make sure to bring my prescription pain meds with me. Not that I think I'll be in pain, the calming effect of a narcotic keeps me sane. I perhaps, just maybe, forget when I took my last pill and take another just in case. Add in some over the counter stuff and I'm in la-la land for the duration of the flight.

      It's a good thing you aren't a whinger. Oh, wait.

    7. Re:sounds horrible by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      The injection however, would make the whole thing more expensive and/or risky.

      Depends, do you prefer the Jack Daniels, or the hot beef injection?

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
  9. Aircarft by chipschap · · Score: 0

    Aircarft are indeed becoming more and more corwded.

  10. Flying should be more expensive in general by cob666 · · Score: 1

    Blame all the discount travel sites. Putting a plane in the air is expensive but nobody wants to shoulder that burden, instead they want discount flights where more and more people are packed in like cattle cars, every option costs more and more money and then people do nothing but complain about the quality of their flight or the service.

    --
    Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law - Aleister Crowley
    1. Re:Flying should be more expensive in general by bugs2squash · · Score: 1

      corporate travel makes it self-re-enforcing too. I only pay for maybe 1 out of 20 trips as personal travel, the rest is for work and the company travel system simply forbids all but the cheapest flights.

      --
      Nullius in verba
    2. Re:Flying should be more expensive in general by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Your sig is applicable here.

      However the race to the bottom seems to be mostly a US thing with some European airlines going out of business doing the same thing.

      If you fly with full service Asian airlines then air travel becomes a much better experience. I'd even list Virgin Australia and COPA as good airlines to fly long haul.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  11. Fair... by pr100 · · Score: 1

    So essentially, if you have someone next to you who's eaten all the pies, you get a smaller seat?

    1. Re:Fair... by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 1

      So essentially, if you have someone next to you who's eaten all the pies, you get a smaller seat?

      No they solved that - they no longer serve food either.

  12. reminder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    don't fly shitty airlines that try to squeeze every last bit of comfort from the flight.

  13. Re: A proposed third patent that will make a fortu by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 2

    Or you just replace the box with something that is made out of a strong deformable cloth. If it is empty your feet will have the space, otherwise if it contains stiff you'll just be kicking the other passenger's stuff.

    --
    Jumpstart the tartan drive.
  14. Spelling police :) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    .... I spotted a spelling error....... Evil grin

  15. Pets by jo7hs2 · · Score: 1

    This would also further limit (as have flight entertainment systems installed under the seats) the availability of in-cabin pet space.

  16. Another reason to not fly anywhere. by james_shoemaker · · Score: 1

    Haven't been on an airplane in years and am having less and less desire to do it in the future.

  17. stand-up places by tommeke100 · · Score: 1

    I liked RyanAir's idea to put more cattle in the plane. Have people standing in the plane. At least I would be able to stretch my legs instead of having my legs in my neck.

    1. Re:stand-up places by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am thinking we could hang from harnesses.

  18. Link completely unrelated by mutherhacker · · Score: 1

    The patent link is for "device for controlling the speed of a spaceplane during the transition from a phase of space flight to a phase of aeronautical flight and associated transition method".

    1. Re:Link completely unrelated by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The patent link is for "device for controlling the speed of a spaceplane during the transition from a phase of space flight to a phase of aeronautical flight and associated transition method".

      How dare you.

      We all know that AmiMoJo is a delicate flower whose shit doesn't smell and can do no wrong.

      Obviously you fucked up clicking the link somehow.

  19. So basically by meerling · · Score: 1

    they add the words "in an aircraft" to several old inventions. Yeah, real novel concept that....

  20. Stacking Passengers by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 1

    Actually there are even better drawings in the other crazy idea Airbus came up with: stacking passengers.

    1. Re:Stacking Passengers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm actually not sure why they don't do this... sell "sleeper" tickets, pods with beds. stack'em as close as you like, put a TV inside each one, etc. they could be stacked at least 4-5 high in most airplanes, with perhaps removable divider for double occupancy... also encourage folks to take sleeping pills, etc.

      Problem with this industry is that there are HUGE fixed costs (airplane wear and tear, maintenance, gate costs, fuel, etc.), so unless those few last seats are fully packed with cattle passengers, the airline loses dollars operating the flight. So to stay afloat, they either have to pack as many as possible, or make'em ultra luxurious and charge through the nose for that first class (and hope folks will pay dollars, instead of just use miles to fly first class). And thus you end up with this division, folks in front having way more leg room than they can possibly need, and folks in the back getting their knees crushed.

      JetBlue had this great concept when they started, but they went downhill from there. Now they're just like everyone else, with crappy average seats, and pretty expensive upgrades.

    2. Re:Stacking Passengers by PPH · · Score: 1

      I think that is covered by prior art

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    3. Re:Stacking Passengers by Chrisq · · Score: 1

      I think there is prior art on this too.

  21. And now for the coup de grace: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The second patent places a storage box under each seat, which is accessed by raising the seat cushion. Of course, this means there wouldn't be room for your feet under the seat in front of you.

    Ah, but with a bit of lube, the feet can go on the seat cushion in front of you. Another cubic foot filled, and no cold feet either.

  22. Can they still double duty by Provocateur · · Score: 1

    Can these new storage areas double as flotation devices in case of an emergency, or will I have to pack an extra "Emergency Exit" arrow in there

    --
    WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
  23. First for by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "aircarft"

  24. Storage box is extremely stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Apart from the legroom problem, how will I access my box when I'm wedged in between two other people? I'm not Plastic Man. Now I can just leave my bag/jacket/shoes&socks (yes I always take them off for comfort and perfusion) under the seat. I don't see a problem with that. It's improbable that something I stuff under the seat will tumble around in a turbulence.

    1. Re:Storage box is extremely stupid by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      ...socks (yes I always take them off for comfort and perfusion) under the seat. I don't see a problem with that.

      Maybe, but if I'm stuck next to you, I'm fucked. If I complain, then you think I'm an ass. And if I don't, I stuck seeing/smelling your stinky ugly feet.

      Shoes (if there's no odor), okay. Socks, you've gone too far.

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
  25. Here's a better idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bunk beds with a storage box at your feet, like a capsule hotel. I don't think it would be a problem in an emergency, because you can swing out of a capsule faster than you can wrestle out of a window seat.

  26. too US-centric by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    > Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer

    Was it necessary to precise 'a leading aircraft manufacturer'.
    I'd have think anybody on this list know about THE leading aircraft manufacturer (before Boeing)

  27. Software patents only, right? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Would one of you "only software patents are bad" guys explain what's so helpful about this invention that deserves a patent? This idea is obvious; the only reason it hasn't been done already is hardware and training costs.

    Everything mechanical engineering on Earth has been done to death, these patents are just restricting competition.

  28. How do you get something out of the sub-butt bin? by wendyg · · Score: 2

    What I can't understanding is how anything you kept inside your seat would be accessible in-flight. There isn't enough room *now* to stand up, extract a bag, pull something out of it...which you'd have to hold while trying to stuff the bag back into the bin.

    wg

  29. Adjustable Benches... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Unofficially named: "Obeseats".