3 ms·

This doesn't look like an improvement - I'd feel even more closed in with this configuration. If you're in a bottom seat, you've got someone's, well, bottom, r

This doesn't look like an improvement - I'd feel even more closed in with this configuration. If you're in a bottom seat, you've got someone's, well, bottom, right in your face - not a very appealing prospect. They also don't recline, which will make sleeping impossible or very difficult on long haul flights. I also wonder about this from a safety perspective in the even of an evacuation - I imagine you'd have panicked passengers in the top seats jumping down onto those below. And finally, even if these seats have a bigger pitch (more leg room) as a concept, airlines will simply cram more in, while keeping the same, horrible pitch of 30-32". That's not a problem with any particular design, of course, but it's what any airline is unfortunately going to do.

tzs 7y ago
> They also don't recline, which will make sleeping impossible or very difficult on long haul flights None of the static images show it, but at the end of the video it shows that there is space on the window side so that you can actually lie down across you seat with your legs going into that space.
- GordonS 7y ago
  Ah, OK, I hadn't watched the video - then it might actually be a real improvement.
gruez 7y ago
>If you're in a bottom seat, you've got someone's, well, bottom, right in your face - not a very appealing prospect. Is this really an issue when there's a solid steel floor + seat that separates someone's ass from your face?
seanmcdirmid 7y ago
This is a New Zealand airliner, so it is specifically designed for long haul experiences. You can sleep actually, the seat doesn’t recline, but you can lay down at an angle. As for safety, I imagine they could just run simulations and then get it validated worth a working prototype. For the final point, again, its a New Zealand airliner, so they have different constraints at work. Everything is just very far away.
- lozenge 7y ago
  Is it an airliner or just a startup trying to partner with an airliner? As somebody who sleeps facing right (and occasionally left) I don't see how this would be more comfortable than a reclining seat.
  - seanmcdirmid 7y ago
    Have you ever tried sleeping on a 15 hour long haul? Reclining seats don’t really work anymore and something lie flat is really appreciated. Most of this seat innovation is coming out of New Zealand for that reason, Air NZ even has a cuddle class (by three seats for two people, get an extension to turn it into a two person bed).
wdb 7y ago
Personally, this could be a brilliant idea. I am a person that struggles to sleep on planes due my length (6"7) and basically never sleep on flights. Especially, when the person decided to recline their seat the whole flight. Which I find really rude to do on a 12 hour flight. Normally I end up sleeping most of the day when I arrive at my destination. I slept for 24 hours after not sleeping for 32 hours (stopover plus too windy to land) when I flown to NZ.

tzs 7y ago

> They also don't recline, which will make sleeping impossible or very difficult on long haul flights None of the static images show it, but at the end of the video it shows that there is space on the window side so that you can actually lie down across you seat with your legs going into that space.

GordonS 7y ago
Ah, OK, I hadn't watched the video - then it might actually be a real improvement.

gruez 7y ago

>If you're in a bottom seat, you've got someone's, well, bottom, right in your face - not a very appealing prospect. Is this really an issue when there's a solid steel floor + seat that separates someone's ass from your face?

seanmcdirmid 7y ago

This is a New Zealand airliner, so it is specifically designed for long haul experiences. You can sleep actually, the seat doesn’t recline, but you can lay down at an angle. As for safety, I imagine they could just run simulations and then get it validated worth a working prototype. For the final point, again, its a New Zealand airliner, so they have different constraints at work. Everything is just very far away.

lozenge 7y ago
Is it an airliner or just a startup trying to partner with an airliner? As somebody who sleeps facing right (and occasionally left) I don't see how this would be more comfortable than a reclining seat.
- seanmcdirmid 7y ago
  Have you ever tried sleeping on a 15 hour long haul? Reclining seats don’t really work anymore and something lie flat is really appreciated. Most of this seat innovation is coming out of New Zealand for that reason, Air NZ even has a cuddle class (by three seats for two people, get an extension to turn it into a two person bed).

wdb 7y ago

Personally, this could be a brilliant idea. I am a person that struggles to sleep on planes due my length (6"7) and basically never sleep on flights. Especially, when the person decided to recline their seat the whole flight. Which I find really rude to do on a 12 hour flight. Normally I end up sleeping most of the day when I arrive at my destination. I slept for 24 hours after not sleeping for 32 hours (stopover plus too windy to land) when I flown to NZ.