Would You Travel in This Tiny Business Class Seat?
Joe Cortez August 06, 2019
The cabin of the future could entail business class cabins that are more efficient, using smaller seats to serve the multiple needs of premium cabin travelers. A Singapore design firm is betting on this, by creating what may be a space-efficient business class.
Will airline flyers accept a smaller, yet more efficient business class seat? One Singapore-based design firm believe that “using the wasted space” could create a better customer experience for everyone. CNN reports AirGo Design is shopping around a cabin that wants to utilize every inch of the front cabin.
The “Galaxy” experience offers two kinds of business-class seats for different types of flyers. Along the windows of the aircraft are smaller, couch-style sleeper seats that can be adjusted as needed for different flyers. With just 27.6 inches of pitch on these outer seats, the squeeze is rather tight. However, dividing walls between the window seats can be raised or lowered, creating a shared space or queen-sized sleeping area. AirGo says these seats are ideal for couples or families traveling in the forward cabin.
The middle seats are designed more like traditional business class seats, with nearly double the pitch of the window seats. These seats are designed for solo travelers who wish to work or sleep in privacy as they fly.
The space-efficient seats are designed for wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 777, 787 Dreamliner, or the Airbus A330. According to the design company, their space-saving design can fit 36 seats and a cocktail bar on most aircraft.
With more aircraft looking to seat as many flyers as possible, cabins with smaller seats and more efficient layouts are becoming more appealing in the industry. At the 2019 Aircraft Interiors Expo, two seats stole the show: a “standing seat” which could be a “basic economy” option, as well as the business class “Settee Corner,” designed like a couch for communal work or dining.
AirGo is currently working to patent the seat design and layout, but has no intention of manufacturing their own cabins. Instead, the company plans on creating a prototype mockup for passengers and airlines to gauge interest in their seat concept. Who would actually construct it remains to be announced.
[Featured Image: AirGo Design]
I guess I'm the odd duck out here. I do not sleep well if I'm not flat, and I care much less about meals and other amenities, so this would be great for me. It helps that I'm skinny, and I don't get claustrophobic.
Amazingly stupid. Not only uncomfortable and coffin-like, but the sideways facing will multiply serious injuries in a crash.
If it's that vs a typical 2019 business seat (or even a typical pre-Polaris UA business seat), I'd prefer business. If it's that vs Premium Economy, I'd prefer this; the flatbed rules for long trips. But it also depends who's paying!
Travelling with children! They are in economy with the nanny. Why would one wish to pay and occupy one of these seats . Sorry no way .
NO WAY !