# The Future of Airline Seating? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 8, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752 "2009-11-08T02:06:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/1 "2009-11-08T02:06:40Z")
Passengers want more space, airlines want more seats, so Design Q, the firm that came up with Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class on-board suite, has come up with a double-decker design that looks interesting. Story [here](http://www.theage.com.au/travel/the-future-of-airline-seating-watch-this-space-20091104-hxre.html). A series of design illustrations is [here](http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/travel/the-future-of-airline-seating/20091106-i1mn.html). Excerpt: \*\*"The big plus for airlines looking to cut costs in a period of declining passenger numbers and profitability is that the MaxCabin will be cheaper to build and to operate, says Guy. He estimates it will seat 50 per cent more passengers and reduce costs by 30 per cent. The benefits for passengers are faster and safer boarding and exit. “The main drawback, however, is obvious from images of the prototype. The comfort level is low and even the designer is warning the MaxCabin is intended for short-haul flights up to a maximum of 80 minutes. And it will be a strictly BYO experience as there is not enough room for a trolley to move along the aisles.”\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/2 "2009-11-08T02:36:05Z")
Canada 3000 Airlines (now bankrupt) would have loved this. We called it 'Pack ‘Em In Airlines’. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/3 "2009-11-08T02:52:19Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Excerpt:[..] **“The main drawback, however, is obvious from images of the prototype. The comfort level is low and even the designer is warning the MaxCabin is intended for short-haul flights up to a maximum of 80 minutes. And it will be a strictly BYO experience as there is not enough room for a trolley to move along the aisles.”** I think an equally valid question is “Why would you bother with Business Class for a 90 minute flight?” ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/4 "2009-11-08T02:52:46Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > “The main drawback, however, is obvious from images of the prototype. The comfort level is low and even the designer is warning the MaxCabin is intended for short-haul flights up to a maximum of 80 minutes. And it will be a strictly BYO experience as there is not enough room for a trolley to move along the aisles.”\*\* I can see serious issues with trying to implement that, handicap access. If you can’t get a trolly down an aisle, figure either a walker, crutches or a wheelchair… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/5 "2009-11-08T03:05:01Z")
I’m kinda looking forward to trying out the [Cozy Suite](http://www.thompsonaero.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=28) when those start getting installed. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/6 "2009-11-08T03:05:39Z")
I think when they are talking about decreased comfort, they are referring the the sideways facing economy seating at the end of the article. It does look awfully uncomfortable. But for a short flight? I’d do it if it saved me 30%. But I’m a cheap skate. If it saved me 50% I’d gladly sit on the floor. As for the business class 2-tier often wondered why nobody has done this in the past. I’ve been on plenty of trains and buses that use a two-tier system to provide room to lay down. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/7 "2009-11-08T03:20:14Z")
It’s odd that they have the ability to lay down sleeper style, they could get an extra seat in there on each side! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/8 "2009-11-08T04:48:02Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I’m kinda looking forward to trying out the [Cozy Suite](http://www.thompsonaero.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=28) when those start getting installed. So am I. I first heard about this in the Ask the Pilot [column](http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2008/04/18/askthepilot273/index1.html) last year. According to that column, Delta Airlines was planning to start installing it on 767 and 777 planes next year. It allows them to cram more seats on the plane, while also being more comfortable for us passengers. If so, it sounds great. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/9 "2009-11-08T04:58:09Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > It’s odd that they have the ability to lay down sleeper style, they could get an extra seat in there on each side! Shhhh! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/10 "2009-11-08T05:05:44Z")
Obligatory Onion link: [United Airlines Exploring Viability of Stacking Them Like Cordwood](http://www.theonion.com/content/news/united_airlines_exploring) ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/11 "2009-11-08T05:08:07Z")
I could swear I’ve seen this concept implemented [somewhere before](http://hitchcock.itc.virginia.edu/SlaveTrade/collection/large/JCB_01138-1.JPG)… ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/12 "2009-11-08T05:14:35Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I could swear I’ve seen this concept implemented [somewhere before](http://hitchcock.itc.virginia.edu/SlaveTrade/collection/large/JCB_01138-1.JPG)… You went there. You so went there. That’s it, you’re going to America! ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/13 "2009-11-08T05:33:19Z")
Why on earth would you need to lie down on a 90-minute flight? Also, I’m happy to bring my own. Just don’t make me buy it once I get past security. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/14 "2009-11-08T05:38:51Z")
And where will they put my partner, who is 6’10"? ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/15 "2009-11-08T05:41:46Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > And where will they put my partner, who is 6’10"? In a circus more than likely. ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/16 "2009-11-08T05:48:32Z")
Don’t forget the Airbus [standing room concept](http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2006/04/25/business/20060425_SEATS_GRAPHIC.html) ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/17 "2009-11-08T06:54:47Z")
I liked the sleeper bunks from the spacecraft to the cruise planet in The Fifth Element. The “mattress” was a series of cushioned rollers, so you just slid right in. Then the crew did the smart thing and put everyone into a sleep mode. Since we don’t have this yet, how about good free booze or a few bong hits and some cookies. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/18 "2009-11-08T07:21:54Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > In a circus more than likely. O how I laughed. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/19 "2009-11-08T08:08:57Z")
> [@zagloba](#): > > Don’t forget the Airbus [standing room concept](http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2006/04/25/business/20060425_SEATS_GRAPHIC.html) Wow, you can get varicose veins and deep-vein thrombosis all at the same time! What a deal! ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752/20 "2009-11-08T10:18:12Z")
I wouldn’t like to be in the max cabin in any sort of turbulence, let alone a crash. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-airline-seating/516752.md?page=2)