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Qatar Expected to Unveil Staggered Economy Cabin Seats Next Month

Qatar Airways is widely expected to reveal plans for a unique staggered-row economy cabin seating configuration early next month. It is believed that, in addition to a bit more elbow room for the passenger in the middle seat, the new concept could also offer nearly unobstructed aisle access to every seat in each row.

As a tradition, Gulf carriers like to make news at the annual ITB Berlin travel industry trade show. In 2017, Emirates debuted the much hyped prototype for its redesigned premium cabin lounge. A year earlier, Emirates President Tim Clark used the gathering to call out Airbus officials for “cloudiness” in their stated long-term production goals. If the rumors are true, Qatar Airways (QR) plans to steal the spotlight at this year’s ITB Berlin travel fair which kicks off on March 6.

The Hamad International Airport (DOH)-based carrier is widely expected to reveal plans for a unique new economy class cabin seating configuration at the massive travel industry convention. Qatar will reportedly implement a staggered-row plan for economy class seats. The airline is anticipated to make use of the new one-of-a-kind configuration on its soon-to-enter-service Airbus A321neo aircraft.

The idea of staggered rows in high-density coach class cabins has been under discussion by the airline industry and seat manufacturers for years. The configuration has some obvious advantages for passengers, including added elbowroom and easier access to the aisle. The staggered configuration also appeals to commercial carriers because these enhanced creature comforts can be made available without reducing the number of seats on the aircraft.

One innovative staggered-seat concept from Zodiac would even allow airlines to add capacity to the economy class cabin. According to Simply Flying, airline industry insiders predict the new configuration will be a less revolutionary design that simply offsets the middle seat slightly or arranges each seat in stair-step configuration. The Gulf airline’s plans will, of course, remain open to speculation until the big reveal in Berlin next month.

[Source: Qatar Airways]

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BF263533 February 26, 2019

So you have someone's armpits overlapping your body. Stacking people on top of each other, An obstruction to exit in an emergency.