Airbus contemplating multi-tier seating arrangement for airplanes
Aviation startup Chaise Longue, known for its stirring dual-level seat concept, recently announced it's delving into preliminary ideas with titan Airbus. This development marks a substantial leap for the dual-level seating from its humble roots as a college student project to a potential in-flight upgrade.
Chaise Longue CEO and brainchild Alejandro Núñez Vicente expresses gratitude towards Airbus' recognition of the design's untapped potential. An Airbus representative indeed confirmed the exploration of initial concepts with Chaise Longue, though they've chosen to stay mum on what stage the discussions have progressed, citing the early phase of the conversation.
The crux of Núñez Vicente's dual-level seat design centers around the removal of overhead storage cabinets, freeing up space for two separate seating levels within a single cabin. Passengers would choose between the upper or lower row, with the bottom tier boasting ample legroom, while the top tier offers more recline and stretching space than typical economy seats.
The concept, initially conceived for economy cabins, evolved into a business and first-class iteration last year. CNN Travel tested early prototypes of both iterations, finding merit in the increased legroom that could mitigate cabin claustrophobia for some passengers.
Unfortunately, Núñez Vicente cannot yet specify which cabin type the collaborative concepts might target or how they compare to the previously exhibited designs. He also refrains from sharing images or details of the new designs due to the early nature of the exploratory stages.
As Núñez Vicente emphasizes, the goal remains to optimize cabin space for both passengers and airlines. The concept's potential to boost airline revenue and shoehorn more passengers into the cabin is only an added bonus for the startup.
The dual-level seating design has garnered viral attention, with critics questioning its practicality and intent. Núñez Vicente clarifies his intentions, envisioning the dual-level seating as a central feature flanked by traditional rows.
Despite the backlash, continued interest from the aviation industry demonstrates no qualms regarding the design's social media repercussions. Núñez Vicente reassures the collaboration with Airbus is not exclusive, and Chaise Longue remains receptive to further collaborations.
Though you're unlikely to encounter the dual-level seating any time soon, Núñez Vicente asserts that with Airbus' backing, the idea becomes a realistic and attainable objective for significantly improving the passenger travel experience.
After the announcement of Chaise Longue's collaboration with Airbus, Núñez Vicente is planning to utilize this opportunity for more travel-related developments. This could potentially lead to innovative seating designs tailored for different cabin types, enhancing the in-flight experience for passengers.
