Lift and Boeing Partner to Offer More Comfortable Economy Seats
Luciana Mangas April 14, 2016
Boeing has partnered with LIFT by EnCore, a new seat manufacturer, in order to provide a better experience for the economy class, Mashable reports. All the details are being considered for functionality in tight quarters so that the passenger will be as comfortable as possible during a long flight.
“It’s the forgotten class, I think,” said Tom McFarland, EnCore’s owner and CEO. “The higher end — when you get to the front of the plane — gets a lot more attention. That was our driver: to focus on the Economy seat.”
LIFT is offering the plane equivalent to an office chair, so it’s ergonomically correct, with seat backs contoured to the spine and padding to rest your head.
“Number one: it’s got to be a comfortable product,” said Elijah Dobrusin, VP of development and strategy. “We’re making a seat. We worked with Pearson Lloyd and Boeing to make it look like a seat, not some weird spaceship thing. It’s a seat.”
Dobrusin also mentioned that this collaboration with Boeing is a two-way street. They have incorporated some of Boeing’s technology into their product. “Boeing are providing a lot of the technical knowledge: for instance, composites. Boeing has this incredible composite technology; with the 787 they’ve done some amazing things,” he said.
While these seats are being designed for the 737 Boeing Sky interior, the companies are already discussing furthering their partnership for other aircraft.
“This is just the start for us,” Dobrusin added. “Our intent is to bring really great products and leave a really great footprint, improve the process and the cycle of our industry. I think there’s no reason why things can’t move a lot faster than they do.”
[Photos: Lift by Encore]
This is a most underwhelming product. Where's the f*&(ing leg room lift? The economy innovation thus far is the shell seat which means the forward passenger can't recline into you + the entertainment systems to keep the moaning to a minimum.
These look like the same old seats. Foot rests anyone?
To be honest, airlines seat manufacturers should also think of developing seats that rises/sinks. Leg room becomes a slightly less of a concern if one is able to sit taller.
As somebody who uses a doughnut pillow, I would surely appreciate more comfortable seats in economy.
Most important question: Will airlines buy the seat?