Why didn't 3x4x2 seating take off?
Nov 1, 2017, 8:42 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
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What are static LOPA and dynamic DCS?
Nov 1, 2017, 10:03 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,699
There are some passenger comfort issues.
Theoretically 3-3-3 offers economy cabin passengers the highest chance of an empty seat next to them. To see why, consider the seat factors that would be required for every passenger to have an empty seat next to them:
3-3-3 = o-o o-o o-o = 6/9 seats occupied = 67%
3-4-2 = o-o o-o- o- = 5/9 seats occupied = 56%
2-5-2 = o- o-o-o o- = 5/9 seats occupied = 56%
2-4-2 = o- o-o- o- = 4/8 seats occupied = 50%
3-4-3 = o-o o-o- o-o = 6/10 seats occupied = 60%
(o = occupied, - = not occupied)
The higher the "empty seat guarantee seat factor", the more likely it is that a passenger will be on such a flight. So 3-3-3 will cause the most passengers possible to have a more comfortable journey.
Now the problem with this approach is that most passengers travel on busy flights and/or that at some stages of the cycle most flights are busy, but that is another story...
Theoretically 3-3-3 offers economy cabin passengers the highest chance of an empty seat next to them. To see why, consider the seat factors that would be required for every passenger to have an empty seat next to them:
3-3-3 = o-o o-o o-o = 6/9 seats occupied = 67%
3-4-2 = o-o o-o- o- = 5/9 seats occupied = 56%
2-5-2 = o- o-o-o o- = 5/9 seats occupied = 56%
2-4-2 = o- o-o- o- = 4/8 seats occupied = 50%
3-4-3 = o-o o-o- o-o = 6/10 seats occupied = 60%
(o = occupied, - = not occupied)
The higher the "empty seat guarantee seat factor", the more likely it is that a passenger will be on such a flight. So 3-3-3 will cause the most passengers possible to have a more comfortable journey.
Now the problem with this approach is that most passengers travel on busy flights and/or that at some stages of the cycle most flights are busy, but that is another story...
IIRC, one of the reasons UA claimed they had to go 3-3-3 from 2-5-2 was the economies of scale of manufacturing all 3-seat sections. There was also some talk about certifying 5-seat sections with embedded IFE, IIRC.
All moot now in 3-4-3 world.
Nov 2, 2017, 1:29 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
DCS = Departure Control System
The LOPA is basically the engineering drawing of the interior (viz. which seats are at what exact location) and doesn't change. The DCS controls the allocation of passengers to different seats. If you know the LOPA and have the inputs from the DCS as to who is checked in where, you can then calculate the exact trim needed to keep the aircraft level and/or optimise fuel efficiency.