One of the few comforts we economy class fliers have left is our right to strap on noise-canceling headphones, stare at the back of the seat in front of us, and pretend we're on a beach, or at home, or in a modest-sized jail cell—anywhere, really.
Now that right is at risk. Zodiac Seats France, an industry supplier, has patented a new seating configuration that rips out the (horrid) middle seat in favor of one that faces the rear. With "Economy Class Cabin Hexagon," you get more neighbors than ever before—and they are right in your face.
The goal of the design is "to increase cabin density while also creating seat units that increase the space available at the shoulder and arm area." To be fair, it seems to do that—because you're no longer facing the same direction as your immediate neighbor, you have more shoulder room. And if you're traveling with your kid or spouse, being face-to-face can be nice (we guess).
Why not move to standing-room only, with roller-coaster style restraints?
(Score: 2) by kbahey on Friday July 10 2015, @06:16PM
Yup, we are moving there. Then it is diapers and urethral catheters next ...
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(Score: 2) by M. Baranczak on Friday July 10 2015, @07:24PM
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 10 2015, @07:56PM
And the catheter will be your seat.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 10 2015, @08:57PM
Don't order the apple juice.
(Score: 2) by el_oscuro on Friday July 10 2015, @11:55PM
Not even really a new idea. [youtube.com]
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(Score: 2) by el_oscuro on Friday July 10 2015, @11:59PM
And they are already doing the standing room [wired.com] thing too.
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