Airbus Files Patent for Under-the-Seat Storage Compartment
Jackie Reddy February 16, 2016
In a bid to beat overhead bin bulge, the latest innovation by Airbus sees passengers stowing their stuff right under their seats.
Passengers stuck for storage will be relieved to know that, thanks to a patent recently filed by Airbus, congested overhead compartments could soon be a thing of the past.
While it certainly won’t replace the conventional overhead bins for larger carry-on items, Airbus’ design would see smaller bags being stored in compartments just under the cushion of passengers’ seats.
There are, however, two caveats to this potential storage solution. First and foremost, this design would mean that in order to access their personal belongings, passengers would need to stand up and remove their seat cushions. Secondly, there’s the problem of legroom; these small storage bins would extend down to the floor of the cabin, meaning that passengers would no longer be able to fully extend their legs under the seat in front of them.
Despite any potential flaws, the France-based aircraft manufacturer believes that this innovation could also be employed as a handy storage solution across a variety of modes of transport, including buses and trains as well as cars.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Airbus commented that, “In means of transportation, in particular in a cabin of an aircraft, stowage and/or storage space is usually rather restricted and scarce. Thus, an efficient and optimum use of the available stowage space may be regarded important from an economic point of view.”
This latest patent is just one of many filed by the Toulouse-based company, whose recent concepts have also included split-level premium cabin seating, windowless cockpits and VR helmets.
[Photo: Patentscope]
So, I trade the ability to decide how I want to use MY leg room for the addition of a non-negotiable compartment under that seat for use by the person in front of me - taking away my option? BIG NO from me.
The not so funny part is that the container will reduce the amount of storage space under the seat.
At an average of 18" wide, a standard carry-on won't fit in the space, so why would I want to place anything in there? Not very useful.
Innovation for cars? Not really, many Jeep and Dodge vehicles already have this. While it may not be a bad idea for bulkhead rows, I would hate to see this anywhere else due to losing already scarce leg room.
Airbus, as many large corporations, are just filing for any kind of patent, realistic / non realistic, sellable / not sellable, to occupy space. And maybe, one day, one of them will be usable. Back to the content of the patent, it is indeed a scandalous reduction of leg space. And the more cabin storage space you have, the more cabin luggage will be brought by pax, which goes totally against comfort and security.