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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 isostatic on Saturday July 11 2015, @02:39AM
Airlines charge what people will pay, they work to maximise profit based on the availability of equipment, people, and slots to ensure every asset makes the most it can.
Forward/backward facing is not new though - I flew LHR to SIN yesterday in such an arrangement. I was facing my 3yo who sat next to his mother who was facing our 7mo in his car seat. Very relaxing flight, the kids slept most of the 13 hours, and we managed to get a good 6 hours too. Normally we fly at the front, but due to seat layout for the first long haul with the children, we decided to slum it in business.