GetSetJetSet

Why do they write these stories? Yes, I am sure the airlines will stop carrying cargo and instead will create berths belowdecks that while nicer than the sleeping arrangements offered in first class, will be priced the same as economy tickets. That totally sounds like a thing that will happen *eyeroll*

trooper

Along with the kiddies playgrounds and bar or conference rooms...lol

Toshbaf

I've never seen stacks of beds proposed for economy but in aircraft with a center section of 4, airlines could have capsule beds stacked, no overhead luggage space. The capsules would be stacked 3 high and be 27" high (very low head clearance), 76" long, and 20" wide. If there are 7 of these (from front to back of the cabin), that would be about 150" or the loss of 5 seat rows. Since they would be 3 stacked on each other, that would be 21 economy beds for sale and a loss of 20 seats. They could then be sold for double the economy ticket price, which also includes a regular seat.

There have been patents for upright seating, sort of a bicycle seat. If they can have these and sell a "bicycle seat" + capsule bed, then perhaps those 21 bicycle seats could be fit as well as about 6 seats instead of 21 economy class seats.

SUMMARY
scenario 1: 21 economy beds, loss of 20 economy seats. Ticket for economy seat+economy bed is double the price of an economy seat.

scenario 2: 21 economy beds, loss of 20 economy seats, 21 economy seats replaced with 21 bicycle/half standing seats + 6 economy seats. Then the economy bed+bicycle seat might be sold at 175% of an economy seat.

Annalisa12

Those beds look comfier than a converted business/first seat.

84fiero

I'm waiting for the article about a swimming pool onboard!

Last Row Middle Seat

While I prefer to fly in F, or J, and a nice suite at a luxury hotel (I realize both aren't always feasible), I would definitely try this at least once for the experience.
I've slept in micro-hotels (one of which wasn't much larger than a prison cell), sleep pods, hostels, and traveled around on a eurorail pass, so I don't imagine this would be terribly unbearable.
I'd just prefer my first experience to be on a shorter flight before committing to signing up for this for long haul.

Steve M

Yep. Right alongside the spas, shopping arcades, gyms, and casinos that were going to go on the lower deck of the A380.

I also don't get the notion that those spaces would be offered to economy-class passengers, even as an add-on. They look to provide far more room than most first/business class lay-flat seats. If anything happens with such a product, I would think it would be in terms of something above first class, such as EY's apartments.

sbm12

It came up again because the concept was on display again at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. The event is the largest trade show in the world focused on seats, IFE systems and more. Every year vendors use it to generate hype about concepts in hopes that airlines will be interested enough to commit to purchases. I wrote about it last year as well, highlighting a couple of the challenges. I didn't write it again this year because it isn't new and there wasn't enough of an update to justify my time to create a story about something that will almost certainly never fly.

There are several conceptual problems with the belly bunk beds idea and losing potential cargo revenue is pretty low on the list. The modules are supposed to be flexible and portable, able to be removed easily so a plane could swap them out depending on the specific flight needs. With that approach head space seems to be a challenge. That said, putting lavs below decks on the A330 (Thomas Cook) and A340 (Lufthansa) is a thing so with a more permanent installation this can work.

Another concern came about with respect to safety and flight attendant staffing of the area. Airbus and Safran (now owns Zodiac) indicated at this year's show that the design would not require a flight attendant to be stationed in the space but merely to check every 30 minutes.

The return of this story is, IMO, akin to the repeated stories about the now decade old SkyRider saddle seat concept. The vendor keeps putting it back on the show floor and it generates all sorts of headlines and clicks but it'll never fly. It detracts from the other developments in the industry that probably should get more coverage as they're real things. Like a 28" pitched seat that still has knee room for a passenger over 6 feet tall.

DenverBrian

I love the pic in the OP's story. Because nothing says flight safety like a couple of heavy books held down by a crystal mouse loosely laid on a surface.