Concept Design Lets Premium and Economy Class Passengers Share the Same Cabin
Jeff Edwards April 29, 2016
A finalist at this month’s Crystal Cabin Awards at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany may someday mean the end of the curtain that divides the classes on commercial aircraft.
When the braintrust behind the “Formation Lie-Flat Cabin Concept” created an innovative new seating design that mixes business class and premium economy class passengers in the same cabin, it wasn’t social justice or class equality that motivated them. The designers say there were more practical reasons to stagger rows of economy class passengers among the elite travelers. The unique cabin design allowed designers to take advantage of vertical space, opening enough room on the aircraft to not only carry more passengers but also to allow for lie-flat seats for premium economy class passengers as well as business and first class passengers.
Because the business class seats extend above the economy class lie-flat seats when reclined, the new concept creates more room for everyone. According to the designers, the seating plan still offers greater space and privacy for business class passengers, but the ability to steal some overhead space from economy class seats in the same cabin will mean more room for more passengers and a previously non-existent opportunity to offer lie-flat seats to economy class flyers.
The new cabin design by Formation Design Group was a finalist at this year’s Crystal Cabin Awards at the Aircraft Interior Expo in Hamburg, Germany. Although the Formation Lie-Flat Cabin Concept failed to win any awards, the design has captured more attention than many of the prize-winning designs at the competition. Skift noted that the unique concept might just give U.S. carriers “a viable product solution to compete with luxury competitors.” Meanwhile, Forbes contended that although “the Formation design is still only a concept, it may point to the real future of in-cabin experiences.” It remains to be seen if the airlines will share in that enthusiasm.
[Photo: Formation Design]
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This configuration would almost certainly only be used on long-haul routes, where premium economy is already essentially a separate "class" from regular economy. It generally includes a separate cabin, distinctive meals, and upgraded service, in addition to somewhat better seats. So the concerns about poaching, flight attendant attention, upselling meals, etc... should not generally be an issue.
If some seats extend OVER other seats when reclined, how far up above the ground are your sleeping? What if you need to get up? Are you able to get up without un-reclining the seat? If not, isn't that a safety concern (either if the seat operation fails at that time, or if quick evacuation is needed in any emergency)?
In reality this would end up happening as cabin service is getting worse as time goes on. With or without the wall, this is what we see a lot nowadays.
Another one of those pie in the sky concepts that will never see the light of day in actual use. Imo.
LET THEM EAT CAKE!