While the future of passenger experience is unknown, one company has put forward its vision for how airlines may cope with social distancing in economy class.
Personally, I do everything I can to avoid the middle seat, and now Italian cabin interiors designer Aviointeriors has proposed the Janus seat, in which the middle seat is reversed, giving a yin-yang configuration.
The company claims the new design will not reduce legroom and still offers passengers access to all the typical seatback features, such as tray table, IFE screen etc.
Many on social media have pointed out issues surrounding evacuation and certification as well as ridiculing the idea entirely. Remember, this is the same company that proposed the standing seat a few year’s ago.
To support social distancing measures further, Aviointeriors also unveiled Glassafe, a protective transparent shield which can be attached to a seat, isolating a passenger from their neighbours.
Again, the jury is out on this solution. Certification, cleaning, material strength and other issues have again been raised on social media as potential obstacles.
But the solutions are a starting point in our attempt to deal with a new reality for air travel, in particular, the passenger experience in economy class.
Next week, 29 April, I’ll be part of the one-day Inmarsat online broadcast FlightPlan, bringing together aviation experts, analysts and leaders to share information, insight and direction at a pivotal moment for our industry.
The event will be hosted by Joe Leader, CEO of APEX, and Dominic Walters, VP, Marketing Communications at Inmarsat Aviation. As part of the focus on sustainability in aviation, I’m speaking to Paul Stein, CTO Rolls-Royce about the long-term solutions to tackle aviation’s impact on the environment as well as getting the views of Ingo Wuggetzer, VP, Cabin Marketing, Airbus on the role of cabin technology and design in this sustainable agenda.
Throughout the day, myself and APEX’s Maryann Simson will be bringing you regional industry news and announcements, so sign up now! https://flightplan.wavecast.io/
And a happy note to end on. Our friends at Valour Consultancy, Inflight’s market intelligence provider, have been honoured with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Valour’s award is given for outstanding achievement in the category of International Trade after increasing its overseas sales by an incredible 157% over the past three years.
Looking forward to celebrating your success in person soon!!
