The Future Of Aeroplane Seats Is Hurting My Arse Already

That's actually untrue,

the best way to position the seats is backwards for plane crashes. Just taking off and landing probably would not be nearly as comfortable as they are now however.

ZalmanElephat

I tell you one thing about the Mil configuration (don't forget the backwards-facing pallet-loaded one too) is that its WAY faster to evac a plane with that config!

@BlowfishAvenger: I guess it could be an issue if you already have neck/back issues, but even then a civilian jet lands at a much gentler angle than military transports. "Combat landings" are basically like sitting in a roller coaster sideways with a single seatbelt across your lap.

Which is to say, fun as hell.

I'm not looking forward for my 20times in a year Moscow --->Belgium and the other way around flights if it'll be in one of these...

No. First off: Where are the overhead bins? Where do I put my laptop?
Second: I do not want to stare at people when I travel. It's bad enough I have to listen to their cell phone conversations. And Last: Where the hell do I place my head to possibly sleep on this sardine can?
FAIL.

jthh

I don't know about you, but it looks like there's less seating in the sideways view than a normal plane. You could cram 4 across forward facing and probably fit a third more people in. This just wastes space by giving fat asses more side room and adds legroom.

No, I think the airlines have the cattle class thing down - and this isn't it. Unless perhaps you make it two layers.

Worf

@Bokusatsu_Tenshi: While I am in no way supportive of this design, perhaps you should take a closer look at it.

Most of your arguments seem to hinge on the fact that there would be no seatbelts. With seatbelts (which will be required) most of your arguments are moot.

Also, those tables are NOT throat level, they look to be about elbow level or so.

Finally, it'd be super easy to put a box or net under each seat allowing you to secure your personal belongings.

thegreatpablo

@jjigen: Don't knock it 'til you try it! I love capsule hotels.

Short flights, under an hour - Fantastic idea!
Flights one to 3 hours - forward facing, like long distance military flights.
Flights 3 hours or more - As comfy as possible.

If you can't handle this for an hour or less, rent a bloody car and drive. They don't serve food on short flights so even the tables can be done away with. I travel on the city bus every day for 45 min. each way and it's not a big deal. If it chops they price of the fare to do away with the extra crap I'm all for it.

TangoSmoker

The interior looks more suitable for a train or some other land transport. There is a distinct lack of seat belts and taking off would generally having you leaning onto the person next you.

twilight-arc

Why stop there? Let's pack them in like sardines like they do in Japan.

jjigen

@notlikeacat: and if everyones legs are sticking out into the aisle how is the drinks cart supposed to get through? Most important part of the flight!

notlikeacat

@Tonicboy: I don't think you understand how much the seat holds you during take off and if you didn't have your seatbelt on during landing the only thing holding you in your seat would be your feet braced on the floor or foot rest ahead of you. Try sitting on the sideways seats on a city bus when the driver has to make a sudden stop. If you have nothing to hang onto or brace against, you just tip pver.

notlikeacat

@GlenTen: You really come across as a goshdarned cunt, you know that?

outeast

As a Brazilian, flights back home are not cheap at all and I think it would be good for the people... You know, here in the US we always have a choice, but sometimes we don't have it abroad... Thanks God the capitalism!!!

leandrogularte

@Xjep: These seats definitely suck, but I fail to see how takeoffs or landings would be any worse when you're seated sideways.

Tonicboy

takeoffs and landings must be a bitch on this; we know this well include lawsuits.

Lawsuit #1 Mother with baby in lap baby swinging all over place due to position of seats; baby in critical condition or dead.

They ought to just knock us out and pile us in like cargo. At least when we're knocked out, it'll feel like we traveled instantaneously.

a_pink_poodle

@Phil Parnell: They'll probably just do away with any kind of in-flight refreshments to save money.

noisy doll

@dtemp: This is the first thing I thought of too.

I certainly hope airlines don't go that direction, because those layouts are terrible and extremely uncomfortable looking. No one would fly an airline with cabins like that.

can't remember the last flight I was on that was full, so what's the point of getting more density?

kenposan

It seems to me that despite the multiple levels of wrong on this (the seats not cushioning the body, the tables being on the sides, etc.) the biggest one is the fact that the television is in the direction that nobody is facing. I also fail to see how this saves space, because if you just turned all of those chairs 90 degrees you'd have a double row in the middle and single rows on the outside and the same exact amount of space taken up, but with all the seats facing forward.

there's a reason seats are forward facing. It's because they have the best chance of keeping you from dying in a plane crash. Commercial flight will never go sideways seats if the NTSB has anything to say about it.

dtemp

I've been in nylon mesh jump seats that look more comfortable.

This is truly Air Bus

redangel7

Where'd they hide the carry-on luggage?

mkant

And everyone is going to crane their neck at right angles to stare at the sole information display?

iDesire

@Windhawk: No seat is a window seat! D:!

Griffehpoo

I'm just worried about the awkward waking up on a stranger's shoulder situation.

A seat like this must have plenty of cushion, a reclining/reclined back, and arm-rests.

AdmNaismith

@CaptainSquishy: I'm fat too. That's why I fly Business/First class.

How to save money: "Kids fly free [in baggage area**]"

I'd do it. Hell, I ride in a train every day that I'm sure is less comfortable than this. If it saves money, why not?

Akendall3

If Zeus wanted us to fly he'd have given us the power of levitation. I'll take the SuperTrain instead!

well it really depends on how much cheaper than normal, if it is a massive difference, then i wouldnt mind short flights e.g. london to munich(flights 2 hours and under), but if youre looking at a 14 hour flight from copenhagen to seattle then i would definetly spill some extra dough on proper seats that fold back and you can sleep, and dont forget the personal in-air film channels and entertainment :)

estpaul

@Windhawk: Every seat lacks a seat belt. Fail!

ploopsy

Hell no they're already very uncomfortable, All I know now is to suffer from paralysis when visiting my grandmother in Bulgaria.

ircmaster

@GlenTen: First Class barely tolerable? WTH. I got upgraded to Business from my last flight (Dubai-Dusseldorf) on Emirates for free and I'm not sure how I would want to go Coach again :-(

@tomsomething: What carts? Food and drink will be outlawed on planes by the end of the year...

@Barry99705: Except in the C-130 you get shoulder harnesses. Design Q apparently hasn't thought the whole 'saftey' thing through.

Phil Parnell

moooo mooo mmmooooo moooo moo mooooo

Hmm, my first thought when seeing this is " how is the stewardess going to get that drink cart down the aisles? They'll have to throw the snack bags like in the stadiums.

Phil Parnell

Do you at least get a free parachute and helmet?

taodude

@uttc16: Yeah, but for the turbulence they'd have to shackle you down with something, which would really bring the slave ship experience to life.

ddhboy

PS: When I see the sideways seats all I think about is possibility of diffuse axonal injury and other fun problems that result from trauma to the head when you don't have a headrest that is in the line of deceleration.

BlowfishAvenger

@DustyButtâ„¢ @LynxWinters: Yeah, I meant usually when you're "leaving the plan in midflight" you'd have your gear on. :)

BTW, according to guys I met with the RAF, UK military long distance flights put all the seats in backwards. (at least they used to)

Besides all that, thanks for the replies, and thanks for being there to take that flight so most of us don't have to.

BlowfishAvenger

@Maxx Craves: : No. No. No.

Thank you for flying Amistad Air, it's a pleasure you serve us.

Tolgak

Every seat is an aisle seat. Win!

@CaptainSquishy: I feel like the tallness would still be an issue. Everyone is facing the aisle, so anytime a person or cart goes from one end of the plane to the other, you'd have to move your knees. Come to think of it, if acknowledging the crowding by staggering the seats, that seems like a clear indication that those carts are going to have a REALLY hard time getting through. Oh, and i'm looking forward to twisting my body while I use my laptop on those tables.

tomsomething

@theotherstevejobs: Nice rip on Adam Carolla.

NurseDave

I might be crazy here and I usually agree with the majority but this seems more comfortable.

I'm a fat guy and the current chairs with arm rests are annoying to get in and out.

On top of that I'm tall also, so my legs won't fit either.

This arrangement seems to fix both of my problems without having to lose weight (thought I really want to) or cut half my legs off.

Edit: I think this would make airplanes more sociable. (and you can look under girls skirts sitting in front of you or boys if that's your thing)

@cynep: Can they throw peanuts at us like at the ball game? Just hand the hotdog down the line.

@LouisJebber: Yes, Forest, and then we don't have to get our heads muddy.

@The Analrapist: Best flight I ever had was in a C-17, though, even better than Virgin America. It was a MAC flight, we were a small unit coming back from the balkans, and there was plenty of room to sleep.

Of course, C-130s do have their charm. Having someone else's knee in your nuts for the duration of the flight not being one of them.

Air Cattle... lmao

Manny Ramirez

@FriarNurgle: I agree with Analrapist. And it's only "free" in the sense that you don't pay for it directly, but the military wages suck, and once you are out they basically kick you in the ass and say have a nice day. Those fucknozzles ordered, ORDERED, me to get an MRI and then billed me for it. And now I have a crippling knee issue that they don't want to have anything to do with. So I walk with a cane and I'm not even 30.

And similarly to Analrapist, you too can have FREE medical benefits, you just have to be willing to give up rights guaranteed in the constitution.

Semper Fi, Analrapist, from a combat engineer who is all too familiar with the hearing loss and body damage that comes with being a Marine.

really? At no point have we come up with a way to catch up with trains and their sleeping cars? I mean, if they let me just catch 40 winks, they wouldn't have to give me a stupid soda or food or give me a fscking movie - just let me lay down and go to sleep.
In 2009, we still can't do the math and figure this out? Really?

theotherstevejobs

@twilight-arc: and we could save even more space with those vacuum bag thing we use to store sweaters and blankets.

@Jimmy1: Did you get lucky?

@LouisJebber: There’s nothing quite like it.

@InsertBullets: Unloading is quicker to, just open the back and everyone jumps out.

@FriarNurgle: Let me shoot you a few times then, blow you up embedding shrapnel throughout your body, lose your hearing from weapons fire and blast concussions then you can have your free health care, that you can get anyway by just going to college and major in political science, because you will never really have a job that accomplishes anything and live on the system like the rest of the douche bags.

"Design Q" must have shit for brains if they think their high density design is ever going to be approved some day.

A minor turbulence would be enough to seriously injure someone/everyone with seats like that.

I imagine people poking others in the eye, falling over, bumping heads on others or on sharp ends and tons of other lawsuitable accidents.

See, even the military seats are more confortable and well designed.

There's no leg room (generous gap my ass, you place one fatty in one of those sits and we'll see the generous gap), and if one of those seats/trays break up they basically turn into knives. Also notice they are throat-high, and in a completly awkward position.

If they are going to do something like that (I'd never fly that way, not even short distance, even if it cost 1/4th a regular flight price... my life is more valuable than that), the seats must all "fit" the body nicely to reduce the possibility of people falling off them when turbulence happens.

No flimsy crappy trays or seats. They could use the wasted ceiling space on the middle to store bags, because loose bags under those seats will eventually shift and cause a mess.

And they could add something to hold on.

And that's only what I can think of in a few minutes. This design is something like 10 levels or wrong.

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

@Bandit: You die in a plane crash anyway so who cares

@Barry99705: And no windows by the look of it.

twilight-arc

@Navin R Johnson: Fifth Element anyone?

twilight-arc

In a crash, you have people with forces being applied sideways to the body. That's not good for injuries. The standard brace positions won't work. Basically this is just a stupid design.

Looks like a flying subway car!

Your legs are going to trip anyone going down the "aisle." This doesn't work.

with motion sickness... it's better to be facing the direction u are traveling. unless they are putting a vomit trough in the middle of the plane.

@Navin R Johnson: Well, maybe it might be the future,

- "Sir, you say you lost your wife",
- "Yeah"
- "Well, you might want to try out one of these ladies until she's returned to you"

Is it just me or did that not get as funny as intended? At least one might get exited about flying again :P

@er ic: even then you're thinking of a plane's capacity as a flat space. u have to think of loading an airplane as the pro's like UPS and Fedex do. fit as many preformed packages into a bigger shipping container. then load entire shipping containers into cargo hold.

after all, an airport is just a mess of a distribution center where the packages can walk around as they please.

krystar

@er ic: it may look worse, but atleast you can lay down.... cant you?

Looking at this a 2nd time I don't see how this actually saves any space. It's still about 4 seats per "row" (from window to window).

@bobman1235: Not to mention the fact that in third world countries, they tear down the mosquito nets to use as fish nets.

@cynep: What in the world does this have to do with Mormons?

i would gladly fly these for shorter runs. i am more concerned these days with safety in terms of maintaining the planes.

@er ic: lol man I was just going to post that. all I know is this brother right here does not want the authentic ancestor experience.

Kamenwati

@avconsumer2: Beats that stand up model from a year ago.

@andrewmmc: Usually they are found scattered around the crash site.

@InsertBullets: Pretty much just like the cargo area of many military aircraft. It's fun to fly around the world in a freaking nylon mesh jumpseat.....

@windupbird81: Amen!

@er ic: Thank you for flying Amistad Air. In case of emergency exits are.... Thank you for flying Amistad air it was our pleasure to serve you?

The first one looks like a lot of fun to walk down the aisle in.

LAX to Vegas? If you add pop-up poker and craps tables in between the seats, count me in!!!!

They obviously didn't think this through. You can fit a lot more people with this layout

@windupbird81: i'd rather drive 6 hours than take a 1 hr flight and all the hassle that comes with it.

I propose we move to a system of drug induced sleep then we pack everyone into tubes.

Of course then you'll have some passengers lost like luggage.

"Where's Aunt Edna? Sorry sir it seems we put her on the wrong plane, but please take this complimentary sewing kit and toothbrush with our apologies."

@OMG! Ponies!: Yeah... I am serious. I do love airports, and air travel.

I hope clearing that up doesn't mean I lose my Honorary Pony award!

i'm thinking individual stalls for single travelers and couple and family stalls. no real doors, just curtains for easy exiting.

Give me the same FREE medical benefits as the military and I'll be happy to fly in a tin can with a stadium seat cushion.

@LouisJebber: Then again—like Runway Girl Mary Kirby points out: if military troops can parachute out this thing, so can us!!!

LouisJebber

Makes me think of the cargo bay of a C130. Just needs the cloth and steel tube seats.

InsertBullets

@krisve: It's not so bad, if the flight's for free (which according to their website, is what they're talking about). I've standed for an hour on a subway train and on a bus. Standing for an hour on an airplane? Not the end of the world.

wolfshades

@GlenTen: Jesus Christ you sound like a DELIGHT to be around.

How about the fact that you can fly anywhere in the United States (sorry to be US-centric but I don't fly internationally enough to really say anything) in less than a day for like 200 bucks? I love all the complaining about air travel, as if we should all be pampered and delicately handled. If you can't handle 5 hours in a mildly uncomfortable situation maybe you should just stay home in your climate controlled home and avoid the world. I'm not going to pretend air travel is PLEASANT but if it bothers you that much and you can't afford to pop a couple Benzos just live like a hermit.

Also, I love the self-righteous mosquito nets nonsense, because someone who can't handle a commercial flight in a first-world country is totally in tune with the suffering of the third world.

bobman1235

@DustyButtâ„¢: Let me guess, you work for an airline, maybe?

Jimmy1

It's like a slave ship....in the air!

For the people in the center isle: Can I rest my head on the back of your head? Thanks!

LouisJebber

Flying has become awful. Before you only had to worry about that old man who had no problem letting his arms and legs touch yours and not moving them away.

Now I just get drunk as fuck on trains anytime I can avoid flying.

Zukis

@GlenTen: You could always buy your own plane, catch the train, drive, ride a bike, use a skateboard, walk...

... or quit your bitchin'.

DustyButtâ„¢

First class on the walls (with tables), coach down the middle?

ka1axy

Extra bonus points: notice lack of the aisle for moving the beverage crash cart around..

That's right, welcome to Mormon Airlines. You will find bible under your seat cushion - which can also be used for resting your knees on, while praying, in case of an unfortunate mid-air malfunction.

And FYI: Guess how you're traveling on your next business trip..

cynep

Seriously? Someone paid actual money for this design?

@GlenTen: Yeah... having been a passenger on private jets twice this year (previously, not at all,)... it really is ridiculous what the average person endures to fly commercially.

Though, living on the flightpath of an AFB riddled with B-52's... I find the sound calming and awe inspiring. :)

Commercial flying, anywhere, sucks; there's no doubt about it.

Which is why the only way to fly is, drunk. Piss, stone drunk.

I went to Europe last year, and prior to take off, I visited an eatery in New York's JFK, where I proceeded to down two beers, a shot of Jack Daniels and half a bottle of wine with a fellow female passenger-to-be.

Jimmy1

@LynxWinters: I agree. Yeah, the roll on containers with the airline type seats are pretty generous! Actually BlowFish when you're going on a commercial type transport you don't have to wear your full battle-rattle.

DustyButtâ„¢

@Hello Mister Walrus: All you need is a barrel of lemons and that should keep those 90% alive.

T-Will

@GlenTen:
None of it would bother me as much if you weren't already paying so much goddamn money for the privelage.

TheCrudMan

What a conversation on this plane might sound like:
KID: Mom! The guy next to me is sweating vodka and he's watching porn on his laptop.

MOM: Well spray some Fabreeze on him and whatever you do DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT!

SWEATY VODKA GUY: Stewardess, could I please have a blanket, a moist towelette, and more vodka?

@Truth Bringer : D: Yeah, just like the Subways in Japan.

marythegr8

Where is my flying car?

@GlenTen: I don't go to my wife's friends' events when they live 2 miles or 2 houses away. The rest of the suffering, arising from that specific need to travel can be aleviated by growing a pair of hairy ones. Try it, your wife may be so happy playing with them she may not wanna go to her friend's wedding, after all.

cynep

@GlenTen: You forgot the 5 yr old back of you who keeps kicking your seat but the mother does nothing to stop it and in fact thinks it's so completely precious that her child show so much limber dexterity.

jabber

No effin' way I would fly like that. The window seat is now the worst seat in the plane. Imagine sitting with your back against that surface. The military-style seats don't bug me at all (they have seat backs). I wonder how many more people this setup actually sits?

@ Design Q: Keep Dreaming bozos!

I took of several times with SouthWest and their "concept" of stagered seats (like a train) facing the passangers that would normally be behind you.

Sure it gives you more leg room, but the alure ends at the moment of take off (if you are facing the back of the plane). You just can't grab onto anything.

And when landing, the people facing to the front, can't grab anything either when braking.
Normally, in certain cases, you would hold yourself from eating the head rest in front of you with you hand.

I'm glad SW abandoned that idea.

Can you imagine taking off and landing sideways? Good Lord!

aec007

@Software_Goddess: Unless the shape causes you to lose the ability to use the bathroom. Or the feeling on your left side.

@Curves: not touching it with not seat belts, at least your not sitting backwards, sideways is ok I guess

@Curves: "Worst of all, you will have to make eye contact with the other people on the plane."

I do all that on the subway everyday. You just have to know not to linger your eyes too long before they start smacking you upside.

jabber

On International flights I look up and see the empty space and think, "All I want is to get horizontal". I think some sort of tubular seat that reclined on different levels (like theater seating) would be workable. The tubes could be translucent for privacy.

The military has 5-point harnesses for their side mounted seats -- I don't even see a lap-belt in the image. So you fold up the table for take-off/landing, and anything bad happens you pile into your neighbor??

Might be OK for some, but the guy/gal that my 250 lbs lands on is not going to be happy...

@92BuickLeSabre: Really? The MOST depressing? Well I guess you're not as cultured as you'd have us believe. I remember seeing Sylvia Plath do prop comedy at Caroline's. Halfway through her routine, half the audience had killed themselves.

@Kaiser-Machead: and im sure he gives them a lick every once in a while to show them his favor.

Weakskills

@AlphaPepper: I hear MJ's doctor is available for just such a thing.

NurseDave

As an airline revenue consultant, I'm proposing that patrons be allowed to to pee on the floor so that they can equip another dozen seats on each flight. Solid waste would emissions would be permitted for Elite Class members only.

nicklar

I see no seat belts and on those heavy G take offs, everyone is going to slide to the back of the plane. Worst of all, you will have to make eye contact with the other people on the plane.

@GlenTen: This is the most depressing stand-up routine I've ever heard.

@ipodrulz: Congratulations. I bestow upon you an Honorary Pony for the ambiguity in your comment. I honestly cannot tell whether you are being facetious.

For bringing more confusion and chaos to this site and inviting hapless commenters to misinterpret, this Honorary Pony is yours to cherish.

@beyondthetech: You just made me laugh like an idiot at a starbucks. Just imagine the conversation people would make!

@facepuncher: i like rice:: Why not just have the seats automatically give in (but not break) after they cross a certain weight... it's like a "silent ban" on fat people.

You can come on the plane if you don't mind sitting on the floor.

@Weakskills: I wrote them as separate people. The indentured servants would indeed be only working until their debt was cleared, but since Ponies likes to dispatch his indentured servants much the same way a man would dispatch a clay pigeon, it's sort of moot. The slave girls are slave girls. They never leave, and Ponies has them chained to his roving chair in gold bikinis.

Kaiser-Machead

@edison234: Luggage hold? No luggage allowed on the plane! Extra cheap standing area in the "cargo bay".

@GlenTen: I guess I'm a rare few that love air travel... I fly on average 20+ planes a year... and I'm usually more excited for the plane ride than anything else.

Okay... so maybe I'm fortunate to sit at the front of the plane (where you can die nice and quickly), but still! The omnipresent rumble of the Rolls Royce engines, that every so random "ding", the captains distorted voice over the intercom. Everything about it is just perfect.

And the airports! Airports to me is the reason I travel. I love the organization (when there is some) and the sound of thousands of luggage rolling around nice marble floor. The architecture in airports is also a magnificent thing, and just the fact that an airport is it's own neat, organized, amazingly beautiful city of it's own. Sigh... I'm crazy :)

@Sea Chicken: You clearly have never visited the Greater Bumblefuck Metropolitan Area.

Buttfuck is a bedroom-community suburb of Bumblefuck. Then there's East Bumblefuck, which is a lot of warehouses and light industrial - like textile mills. And of course, there's North Bumblefuck which is where all the hoi-paloi live.

Bumblefuck, ID - The target of many people's jokes.

@Michael Crider:
Continental Airlines posted a loss of $213 million
American Airlines posted a $390 million loss

Delta Air Lines posted a $257 million second quarter loss, it no longer forecasts a full-year profit amid the recession.

AirTran Airways reported a $78.4 million profit.

United Airlines posted a $28 million profit,

Southwest made $54 million during the
second quarter this year.

Those Greedy bastards

Snapper

@GlenTen: Don't be such a pussy.

commentotron

@BlowfishAvenger: Not always. I had to fly like that from Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and back but there were also regular airline-style seats in the center and our cargo in the back.

And to be perfectly honest, that was way more comfortable than the 12-hour flights across the Atlantic in civilian airliners. Not just more legroom, more everything room. I'm an average-sized person and I feel insanely cramped in normal airline seats, but the side seats were pretty nice in comparison.

@jabber: All they need to do is change the design so more than 90% of the passengers survive the journey.

Hello Mister Walrus

@Kaiser-Machead: For a sec I thought you said piranha... which would be an interesting site.

The window seats don't look too bad, extra leg room and while you can't recline, it looks like you have some ability to relax a little.

The aisle seats look bad, too straight, and I'd feel a little odd with somebody's back to my back.

It does kind of look like a fire hazard though.

teke367

The military doesn't fly people that way unless they have other reasons. Like the "passengers" are going to leave the plane half way through the flight. Also they are wearing body armor.

BlowfishAvenger

@Michael Crider: When you said "trained professionals" I thought of the military training their soldiers to sit on uncomfortable seats.

SO I guess we all just Lean into each other for Takeoffs and landings
These would be GREAT for those International Flights!!! ummm N O T

@Thorny: It'd be cool if airline seats could fold flat into the floor, and the wheelchair you were in could roll into place and lock to the floor where the seat was, allowing you to use your wheelchair as a plane seat.

These floor plans must be for the crash proof planes, but that costs extra.

Weakskills

If these were for long haul flights I'd be begging for my first class seats.

On another note. If these were for flights from New York to Toronto and the planes went twice as fast as they do now I wouldn't mind.

@OMG! Ponies!: That's why us normies created the Keebler Elfs. They'll treat us right. Cookies AND shoe repair needs.

@GlenTen: Someone is negative. I love air travel and most of your complaints are solved by 1) Noise-cancelling headphones+iPod 2) Not living/traveling in America 3) Drinking tons of free booze [related to 2 - only US carriers are stingy about that stuff]

kalleboo

@Improbable: Hey with the new method at least you won't have to make ass or crotch decision as you climb over your fellow passengers...

ospreyguy

@Kaiser-Machead: I don't think indentured and slave mean the same thing, one is in servitude to work off a debt and the other not so much.

Weakskills

@Gene:

That's not always the case usually there is a center row on military aircraft also... for example on a c130 with 4 rows of seats you sit so close to the people across from you and next to you that your leg is stradlig the leg of the person across from you... and theirs the person next to you.. and so on and so on until you all look like one big zipper.

By comparison that comercial version looks down right roomy. At the very least your ass won't be touching the ass of the person next to you for hours.

Captian_Caveman

I actually love this idea. No more prics reclining onto my knees. Sweet bliss.

@beyondthetech: Yes! Finally I can practice my Spiderman kisses.

@GlenTen: +1. Having flown all over the world...it absolutely sucks. Try a 13-hr flight from Tokyo to Chicago seated in the 4-seat center section with people on both sides of you taking either armrest and boxed in by the recliner in front of you. It's like the civilian form of a Siberian gulag.

The least they can do is hand out sleeping pills and vodka as you enter the plane.

And, don't get me started on airports.

@ripfire: I send them there via catapult. If they don't survive impact, that's their problem.

It's a public service. I'm encouraging evolution.

@Kaiser-Machead: Bublefuck? Since when did it change it's name from Buttfuck?

@Dahamma: The hole in the floor that leads to the luggage hold. Kind of like Russian roulette with the target below... Oh, and the 'real' bathroom costs extra.

@jabber:

Jabber's ability to comment is not enabled

@Kaiser-Machead: I said nothing about indentured servitude. I'm just saying that you Poors need to realize that you are serfs. And in given that you are vassals, there is no legitimate reason for you to travel more than 25 miles away from your quarters.

Obviously, if your job is patrolling my estate to make sure no one is poaching I'll consider providing a horse. Otherwise, get back to work. My crops aren't going to harvest themselves.

Any other Poors have a problem with this?

Nonono! this is a waste of space! Ryanair, the world largest low cost airline has got the idea! Standing up!

[www.ryanair.com]

It's not even a joke!

krisve

so now instead of fighting one fat guy to get to the aisle so i can rush back to the shit-laden sardine can they call a bathroom, they got rid of the center aisle and plan to make me stumble over 26 other fatties to get to the can?

and how am i supposed to be served my bag of peanuts?

where is the overhead bin?

and who the hell is gonna use the tray tables? do i use the one to the left? to the right? what if the guy to my left wants the one i'm eyeing? do the jerks stuck in the middle get a tray table?

this idea sucks

@OMG! Ponies!: How else do you send your poors to prepare your beach house before you get there? Actually, the planes for the poors are quite different. Instead of seats, they have something similar to exercise bikes which are actually attached to the engine. Then they have conductors with whips in the front to make sure none of the poors slack off and maintain 475knotts.

obviously fake, airlines have to adhere to stricter safety standards than military transports.

@MichaelBrazell: And I have never been on a bus that can drop a couple hundred feet without warning due to turbulence...

@malvones: if they aren't making a profit, they need to cut costs or raise rates. We got used to cheap(ish) flights for a while but we can't expect airlines to keep surviving just to provide us with air travel. If the industry can't survive, it'll have to shrink and deal with it until profits return.

@GlenTen: And don't get me started on the snotty stewardesses. One peanut joke and you're a pariah. Fuck that.

Also, you leave Bumblefuck Idaho alone. Leave it alone!

Kaiser-Machead

It's been done before and much better. The only problem was the passengers weren't the most willing to travel and see the world. Go figure.

jabber

@beyondthetech: Stupid gravity.

@kagekiri: And a boatload more leg room. As a paratrooper who had to ride in C-130s frequently, I can tell you that even with a buttload of gear, I could still stretch out my legs, find acceptable levels of comfort, and sleep without breaking my neck. Sure as hell can't do that in a commercial airliner riding coach.

Fontosaurus

@OMG! Ponies!: I know you're fond of the indentured slaves and unbelievably attractive but severely impoverished slave peasant girls, but...I lost my train of thought.

Kaiser-Machead

"if these kind of side seats are good enough for the military, why not for the rest of us?"

The difference is that they're trained professionals who are being paid, and may expect certain levels of discomfort. To suggest this to paying consumers who - as you've already pointed out - are treated like cattle as-is, is nothing short of insulting.

Speaking as a man whose shoulders are broad enough to stick out both sides of a coach seat, I'm sick of this bald-faced profiteering.

Michael Crider

@dufus: Four times out of five I can fly with just my carry on bags. I'd much rather take an extra 5-10 minutes to get off the plane than have to wait 30-45 in baggage claim. And if nobody had carry on that'd probably start averaging well over an hour of extra standing around staring at bags that aren't yours.

Improbable

@Improbable: Bathroom? What bathroom?

If they're staggered, doesn't that get rid of any walking aisle? And on takeoff and landing instead of being sucked into the back of your seat or having to push on the tray in front of you, you're rolling onto your neighbors (or off of your seat if you're on the end).

@GlenTen: and those damn mouth-breathers with their terrible breath...

@GlenTen: Agreed. The way air-travel is today, I would truly rather be hurled by catapult to my destination and pray I land in marshmallows than pay to go through the forced torture of commercial air travel.

@beyondthetech: Nice! I'm sure that some airline has been thinking about that...

QADude

Why do the Poors need to travel? Shouldn't they be working my land?

@AlphaPepper: Seconded.

not efficient enough to offset the potential customer dissatisfaction

romado12187

At this point, as huge of a mistake as it might be, I would prefer that we nationalize every airline, if for no other reason than to never, ever, ever have to listen to them complain about their profitless business models.

@The Lab: A la aircraft carriers!

@92BuickLeSabre: "And it's not like you're staring at an ass for a half-hour here."

Once in a while, that's a good thing.

Gordon McAlpin

I'm a proponent of sedation flying. Knock me out, let me sleep through the whole ordeal. Then you can stack us like cord wood.

@Kaiser-Machead: This scenario is the best case yet for affordable, high-speed train service on a national level.

I hate flying. Absolutely hate it. First Class is barely tolerable and coach is just inhumane.

Commercial flight definitely qualifies as a necessary evil. Lets review some of reasons why its evil:

1. Now you have no excuse not to go to your wife's friend's wedding in Bumblefuck, Idaho. After all, flight only costs 600 dollars and has 4 layovers, but anything for your wife's friend right?

2. 2-10 hours sitting next to crying babies, and crying babies that aren't yours, or anyone you know. And that baby has infinitely more legroom than you do and yet still cries.

3. Claustrophobia, agoraphobia, fear of heights, fear of dying in a fiery plane crash, etc. This activity rolls up a lot of fears into one.

4. Thanks to commercial aviation, movies like Airforce One, Con Air, and Snakes on a Plane were actually made. Malaria could have been wiped out if the money spent on these 3 movies was instead spent on mosquito tents and other supplies.

5. Various smells and sounds. We all have a story or two, stories best not told over dinner. The old woman who crapped herself 20 minutes into your transatlantic honeymoon flight; The smoker audibly shifting 5 lbs of phlegm in his lungs; etc.

6. Noise pollution. Whenever you take off or land, and you've got yourself a window seat, take a moment to appreciate that all those tiny little houses are filled with people who are, at that moment, unable to do anything but listen to the sound of your plane as it roars over their houses.

7. The food. Holy shit, the food. And to make matters worse, the 400lb guy sitting in the aisle seat next to you wants you to listen to him eat every mouthful.

8-N. Sitting on the tarmac for hours; listening to Chris Cornell's Scream because you bought Virgin Atlantic tickets w/out reading the news; sitting close enough to First Class to realize how shitty you really have it back here in coach; the air pressure; the cold; luggage carousels; getting up at 3:45 am to make the Red Eye; take your shoes off; putting crap in small baggies because its not solid or a gas;

The real fun with this arrangement will begin when you need to get up and use the bathroom. You get to wait for every single person on your aisle to wake up and move their legs out of your way.

Improbable

I'm all for eliminating carry on luggage (as there appear to be no overhead bins here). That would speed seating and departing planes since everyone would just stand up and file out.

dufus

@92BuickLeSabre: I both love and detest the subway. Sometimes I want to fashion my own homemade cow catcher and barrel through the surging mass of commuters while blowing an airhorn. I love its speed, but it's like passing through the intestinal tract of a giant constipated robot.

Kaiser-Machead

Whatever configuration lets me stay in my own wheelchair and prevent the airline from sending two tiny people to lift me onto my seat in addition to not breaking my wheelchair, is fine with me. It looks like these configs would work great for that. As for you walking people -- it's amazing how much people complain about the conditions involved with sitting on your ass for a few hours.

This is BS, why? because hitting your head against the window during turbulence or landing will get you a nice big check from the airline. notice how the military seats have actual seatbacks and are set away from the window? FInally FAA regulates that the aisle must be kept clear at all times, legs splayed all over the place would not make them happy. FAA only regulates military aircraft in commercial airspace not sure they regulate the specific features of military aircraft like seating

Ali Khan

I don't mind it. A number of people brought up the safey regs. On top 10 crashes that changed aviation (discovery channel) they had a segment on redesigning the seats to withstand a crash. Its very complex so in the US this would never work.

What about putting me in a chemically induced comma and stack me in some sort of bunk or pod. That i'd sign up for.

Optimus-Prime

@Kaiser-Machead: What the hell? You live in NYC, you gotta problem with the subway? And it's not like you're staring at an ass for a half-hour here.

Plus the seats are staggered. You are staring at wall, not a person. Unless you choose to stare at a person, in which case, dude, not cool.

@ddhboy: Welcome to Triangle Trade Airlines...

@The Lab: I was gonna say the same thing. Like long distance train cars. stack em 4 high, and pop little LCD screens in em. Done

AudioBoy

It would actually be more comfortable and efficient to have rows and columns of bunk bed-like seats allowing full incline. Imagine the living quarters in a navy ship or submarine.

PrimaveraHoi

this wouldn't work for all the fat f*cks we have here in america.

their asses would snap those seats like a slim-jim. and god forbid we disallow them based on their obesity...

You could fly like this if flying were as regular as taking the bus or riding on the subway. However, even today with millions flying every day, taking a plane ride is still serious business ... Even a 45-minute flight takes several hours of prep time, getting to the airport, waiting on th tarmac, landing, taxying, getitng bags, etc.

Flight is not mundane enough to force people into bus-like conditions.

MichaelBrazell

@ddhboy: Are you crazy?!? Then I would have to get, like, 48 people to bring on the amount of pudding required.

Lupus_Yonderboy

@Weihovah: Dang, I thought I changed it before someone noticed. So tell me......are you happy here????

Kaiser-Machead

I propose an inverted seating arrangement:

Coach will sit upside-down facing the rear, while First Class will sit rightside-up facing the front.

All this can be done within the same cabin, saving time and efficiency when distributing closed beverages and snacks.

Coach passengers are not permitted to leave their seat except when the plane is in an inverted position.

When it comes to travel my philosophy is this. If my interest is the destination, then spend as little money on the trip. If my interest is the traveling itself, then I go with car/train/etc so I can stop where I want to or at least enjoy the scenery as I go by. I'd never drive somewhere if I 'just wanted to get where I was going' and I'd never fly somewhere if I just wanted to get out and travel for a bit.

Planes, as I see it, are a point A to point B situation, get me there alive and I am happy. Make it an option, those who want it will buy those tickets, those who don't...wont. There might be enough people like me to make this a sustainable venture. If not...ahh well.

ilya687

@Hello Mister Walrus: virgin air will be the only one not to implement

It looks like they just yanked the seats out of the terminal of the airport and bolted them down inside the plane.

Mix that, with a little bit of this...

And I think you may have something. Because the first time this plane hits turbulence, people are going to end up all on one side ala wally. Add some bounce fun, and then everyone just laughs it off. I think.

tek_nic

@Kaiser-Machead: You got a problem with the bus?

I love the bus. It's like a slow-moving lunatic asylum.

@alpha24seven: You're funny. Air Force members hitch rides on C-130's all the time, and the seating is worse than this ^_^

HAZman27

Bunk beds. All I want is to just lie down and stretch out. You could have three levels just like tour buses or boats.

The backrest is the window? How is this more comfortable than what exists now?

LEWD98

@Kaiser-Machead: your comment is super green!!

Air travel is cheap enough for me, coach is bad enough and I avoid it when I can afford to.

Finally, I always thought cushions in seats were so uncomfortable, the hard plastic walls and glass windows should do just the trick!

KineticRocketFireBalls

Note that they're good enough for the military because by their nature they're willing to risk some safety. Also I'm guessing what they're after is being able to load/unload quickly while carrying huge packs rather than packing in the maximum number of people.

@92BuickLeSabre: Yeah... just like a Norm. Ruining it for us Hobbits.

Listen Stretch Armstrong, just because I get the exit row which leaves my stumpy legs with vast acres of room in which to stretch is no reason for you to get all uppity.

Go back to your average-height world with your average-height chairs and your average-height stairs and leave us halflings alone.

On behalf of the Lollipop Guild Local 3/12, if we're not allowed the superiority of lording our comfort over the norms in coach class, we'll go on strike. Who's going to cobble your shoes while you sleep then?

Hell, why not just take the soul plane approach and put up straps and make us stand up. Better yet, take the slave ship method and try to jam as many people standing up into the aircraft as possible. Hell, strip everyone naked and limit their check baggage to 5 pounds.

ddhboy

If these seats are safe and more comfortable than hard plastic seats like in a classroom, I'd be all for it. I'm 6'4", so having plenty of leg room is far more important to me than having comfortable seats.

On my latest flight, I was on an old Delta plane that had almost no legroom and I was in pain for most of the flight. The metal bars that connect to the trays were right where my knees were, so my knees were pressed against them the whole flight.

I will say, the newer Delta planes are not amazing by any means, but I was pretty comfortable on the first part of my recent trip.

@Software_Goddess: Yeah, exactly what I was thinking. Maybe this'd work for short-range flights, but international or transcontinental? Ugh, major problems. Comparatively, those "military" style seats offer way more walkable aisle space.

kagekiri

Whoever proposed this for commercial flights is a goddamn moron. Really? I don't want to fly like I'm commuting on a city bus. I don't want to be stuck facing some other shmuck's mug while I'm traveling, and I much rather prefer having a proper view out of a window, which I always always choose a seat for. Maybe they should separate business from coach and plebeian and peasant prostitute farmer class with wooden slats, so the chickens and goats can't make their way to the front of the cabin.

Kaiser-Machead

Airplanes will fit more people if everyone spoons the person in front of him/her.

Hello Mister Walrus

Hell no.

Besides headbutting the person behind you in the center seats, people just don't like facing other people for more than a minute or 2. Perhaps if air travel had started with seats like these, it wouldn't seem so wrong. But we're all quite used to the general layout at this point.

Jestermeister

So do we also get forced to pay for stowed luggage then? I notice a lack of overhead luggage bins.....

@Software_Goddess: Who says there will be a bathroom?

What - shitting in a bucket isn't good enough for you, princess?

Given that I've already mastered the art of sleeping in my own lap on any given flight, to save a few bucks? Totally.

For very short-haul flights, maybe. If it substantially lowered cost.

Of course, if there was a crash, there would be a layer of people smeared over the front wall.

cr0ft

I'll do anything, short of travailing with the Jim Wilsons, to save money on a flight. Especially a short one.

jetRink

Would you travel like this only to pay a bit less?

Somehow I don't think the 'savings' will be passed on.

NotChoinski

Look at all that wasted space!

I think this is horrible. If the airlines want to maximize their passengers per flight, they should install stacking kennels. And if anyone bitches, zap them with a cattle prod.

NEVER. The FAA and every single safety authority will NEVER allow aircraft configured in this manner to even fly in American airspace, much less be based here.

What's wrong with people...

alpha24seven

@LeeMarvinsPants: Meh. I haven't been able to use my tray for the past 5+ flights because the jerk in front of me has had to fully recline for the entire flight.

This has *ZERO* chance of getting FAA approval. They're just masturbating with the bill.

Pierce Nichols

You’d have to zig-zag all the legs to get to the bathroom.

Software_Goddess

so basically they want us to die faster in case of an emergency :|

Where are the back rests?

Won't fly in the US. a little thing called safety standards will stop them...

kashmir772

Gee turbulence might just become a little more fun...

A needle pops up from the seat and injects you with propofol, and then some clamps pop out and hold you upright during the trip. special vacuum tubes collect the drool and body waste. when the plane lands, you wake up feeling relaxed and refreshed. or possibly, dead.

WTF design is this? Can't they just take out some rows and make more leg room? These new configurations seem to carry much LESS people...

iatacs19

I love it. More legroom and no one right next to me? Thank you please.

Especially for shorter flights where I don't need to fall asleep.

I used to manage an hour on the subway without crying out for armrests or comfier cushions, I think I could handle 2 hours in these if it meant I could stretch my legs.

I dunno, it looks more comfortable to me... maybe it's just the angle, but it looks like the amount of leg-room is much more generous than it is now...

dmk2113

wow that is just awful. Not only do you have to be uncomfortable you also have to stare into the face of the person sitting across from you. At least in current setups you can stare at the back of the seat in front of you and pretend you are all alone.

I thought airlines were getting MORE comfortable, with screens and wifi and reclining seats, sounds like this is a step in the wrong direction if you want people flying again. Especially with automobiles getting more and more comfortable.

And good luck keeping those windows clean with the backs of people's heads resting on them.

I wouldnt, Looking out the window during takeoff and landing is the best part! The seats are right infront of the window, so everyone would be blocking them.

Edit: It also is missing alot. Places to store luggage, bathrooms, image 1 is missing a door at the front/back.

KTK1990

Speaking of flight standing up, just this past July a Chinese company has already made the proposal.

[www.wired.com]

I like to think that if you put your arms out while in the flight you'll feel like Superman.

Wha? The center seats don't even get trays?

LeeMarvinsPants

Would never pass commercial safety standards, and I doubt it is more space efficient than current layouts. The military fly sideways because those are primarily cargo transport planes doing double duty, their dedicated passenger planes are standard civvie style seating.

odysseus

@notlikeacat: i have forgotten my seatbelt countless times during landing and takeoff. Never went flying off my seat. Bullcrap.

Buskape

Um, call me crazy, but looking at the 2 pictures above, I'd say the seating arrangement in most CURRENT coach class airlines is more dense.

They can try to squeeze a couple of extra rows, but they're starting to reach a limit already. Also, some airlines are removing first class seating, since one row of first class is probably 1.5 rows of coach. Oh, and 3 seats per row instead of 2.

Ninety-9

@jthh: While I think that seating layout is uncomfortable and inefficient, I wouldn't FAIL it based upon your reasons.

Assuming that it ever will exist and that the layout would be used for commuter flights, then it's really no worse than sitting on a subway or commuter rail (some seats anyway). People tolerate that. I would sit like that going NYC -> DC, providing fares were lower than a standard coach flight.

Laptop goes on your lap or under your seat.. not rocket surgery.

@jjigen: As a 6'5" jerk, I would love to be able to lay down instead of sitting with my knees in my face and having to go to the chiropractor after a flight.

Kyle Bedwell