As passengers continue to gripe about cramped legroom, one aviation company has apparently come up with a bold and controversial solution.
Airlines are notorious for squeezing more seats into planes to maximize profits, leaving passengers with limited space and little comfort. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being packed into a metal tube with a bunch of strangers at the start of your trip, especially when you add a crying baby or a restless toddler kicking your seat into the mix.
But Airbus might be on the verge of changing that, with plans for a revolutionary double-decker seating design.
Chaise Lounge, a startup based in Madrid, Spain, has partnered with European aerospace company Airbus to test a new double-decker seating concept aimed at optimizing legroom. The idea involves positioning each row at two levels, one row on a normal level and the next elevated on a raised platform.
While the concept promises more space for passengers, it has already sparked criticism. The top-level passengers get the luxury of reclining without disturbing anyone behind them, while those on the bottom level are denied the same comfort.
To compensate, bottom-level passengers may get more legroom, but some have pointed out an uncomfortable issue: those seated below are positioned awkwardly at head-height with the person in front’s rear. This has led critics to dub the bottom level the “fart zone,” an unfortunate situation that some believe is worse than dealing with cramped space or a noisy toddler.
On Twitter, users joked about the design, calling it an “a**hat idea” and pointing out that passengers in the lower section are in the “line of fire.”
“Not gonna fly with someone’s butt in front of my nose,” one user quipped. “Sorry.”
“They’re going to charge you a premium to avoid the a**-in-the-face row, aren’t they?” another joked.
“One fart away from the No Fly list,” a third humorously added.
Despite the mockery, Alejandro Núñez Vicente, CEO and founder of Chaise Longue, is standing by the multi-level concept. He expressed his excitement for the project on LinkedIn, highlighting that the company is exploring “early-stage concepts” in collaboration with Airbus.
In his post, he shared: “After 4 exciting years pursuing my dream of improving the passenger experience and giving passengers what they truly deserve, I’m thrilled to make this announcement.”
An overview of the new double decked economy class concept seat
[📹 Aircraft Interiors Expo]pic.twitter.com/lKRtGBaCTV
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) June 4, 2024
“It’s the dawn of a new era for commercial aviation, and I hope you’re as excited as we are about this announcement,” said Vicente. “Soon, you’ll be flying in more comfortable, spacious, two-level seats.”
When asked about concerns regarding the potential discomfort of the lower-level seating, Mr. Vicente responded with, “With a bit of common sense and maturity, the answer should be clear.”
He explained further, saying, “Gas doesn’t typically pass through solid objects like seat cushions, seat covers, and plastic shells.”
In an interview with CNN, the CEO shared his broader vision, emphasizing his goal to replace traditional airplane seating altogether with a two-tiered design.
