Boeing Shrinking Lavatories to Cram 14 Additional Seats on 777-300ER
Joe Cortez June 09, 2015
As the race to increase aircraft passenger capacity space heats up, Boeing is shrinking lavatories to add up to 14 additional seats.
More seats could be on the way for Boeing 777-300ER as the Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer looks to boost sales. The Chicago Tribune reports Boeing is currently evaluating ways to increase passenger capacity and appeal of its largest twin-engine aircraft, and the manufacturer’s latest solution involves making lavatories smaller to allow additional rows of seating.
According to the plans outlined by Boeing, a smaller lavatory could translate into as many as 14 more seats. When installed, these additional seats would bring the 777-300ER’s total passenger capacity closer to 400, up from its current capacity of 386 across a three-cabin configuration.
Shrinking lavatories is not the only change Boeing is looking to make on its biggest 777. The manufacturer has also reduced the overall aircraft weight by just over one-half ton, as well as implemented engine improvements with the goal of making the aircraft 5 percent more fuel efficient.
The changes come ahead of the Paris Air Show, where Boeing is attempting to position itself as a direct competitor to Airbus. Earlier this year, Airbus announced it would begin re-configuring the A380 in order to add more seats to the superjumbo.
In addition to the showing in France, managers at Boeing claim the move will prepare the manufacturer to begin construction of the long-awaited 777X aircraft. The manufacturer’s goal is to incorporate more subtle changes into the latest versions of the 777-300ER in order to slowly move production to the newer aircraft.
“We’re trying to pull ahead the production system we’ll need for the 777X to the 777,” Elizabeth Lund, general manager of the 777 at Boeing told the Chicago Tribune. “We’ll de-risk it, work out all the bugs and slowly transition.”
According to Boeing officials, flyers could see the smaller lavatories aboard 777-300ER as early as next year. United Airlines is anticipated to receive the first of the renovated aircraft.
[Photo: Boeing]
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@REBELYELL: Careful... Ryan Air might just do that.
Never mind the Biffy Bag, Just provide everyone with incontinence pads and briefs that we use for the residents at work. Keeps everyone in their seats and lets the ground support staff clear up all the used pads! Better still, increase profits and sell the pads on board.
Interesting idea about the sink above the toilet. I've seen them do that in homes in Japan, but that's above the tank. I can't see that working well on an aircraft, though. I was recently on a Q300, that lav is REALLY small. I initially couldn't figure out how that's possible, then realized there was no sink. I hope they don't copy that design! In contrast, the CRJ-700 lav is really big. The only positive thing on that aircraft.
Thank God the UAE & Qatar Govts are around to subsidize my larger rest rooms. UA can keep their new 77W's
@/chris19992 hear,hear! Bring on the Buffy bags and pack in the pax to the brim,Boeing.anything to save a cent,huh?