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from the crisco-and-a-shoehorn-to-get-more-in dept.
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?
Original Submission
(Score: 2) by captain normal on Friday July 10 2015, @08:12PM
It's not so much facing other passengers, but from the illustrations it seems it will be impossible to adjust the seat back. And I see no improvement in upper body arm and shoulder space. If anything it's less. Plus it looks even harder for the middle seat passengers to get out to go to the loo. This might be ok on short commuter flights of less than 1.5 hours, but anything over that would be a nightmare. And being stuck on the tarmac by a snafu in traffic control or open arrival gates, if too long could result in injury to the flight crew and damage to the plane by enraged passengers.
When life isn't going right, go left.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Francis on Friday July 10 2015, @08:32PM
Seats shouldn't recline, as it is that space you get by reclining comes from the person behind you. The people in the front row benefit and the people in the back row can't do anything about it.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by captain normal on Friday July 10 2015, @09:15PM
Nice bit of sarcasm there. For a moment there you actually had me thinking you might be an airline cabin designer. But we all know that over the last couple of years the airlines have saved billions on reduced fuel costs, but have they reduced fares? Or added flights? Or looked to make passengers more comfortable?
When life isn't going right, go left.