Social distancing is a phrase that has been often heard during the current COVID-19 pandemic; but how can we do this on an aircraft? Aviointeriors, an Italian design firm, has created two new concepts of airplane seats for passengers to feel safer while flying.
Aviointeriors has filled their patent application and both designs can be applied to either narrow or widebody aircraft.
Janus Seat
Aviointeriors’ first concept consists of the reverse position – facing backward to the direction of flight – of the centre seat “to ensure the maximum isolation between passengers seated next to each other”.
With the Janus Seat, all the 3 passengers are separated with a shield that isolates them from each other. Each passenger has their own space isolated from others, including from the people walking in the aisle.
Each seat is surrounded by a large transparent shield, this prevents the propagation of breath to and from other passengers in the row. According to the manufacture, Janus is made of easy cleaning and safe hygienist materials.
Paulo Drago, Chief Executive of Aviointeriors, said to FlightGlobal that the Janus seat row would occupy no more space than a traditional configuration. Also that it would not interfere with escape regulations or require deep cuts in overall capacity.
Drago states that Janus’s product can be delivered in under 6 months, if there are sufficient orders.
Glassafe
Aviointeriors’ second concept is called “Glassafe” and consists of a shield around the passenger’s head.
This concept is more economical for airlines than the previous one. The shield can be installed on existing seats “to make close proximity safer among passengers sharing the same seat row”.
Like the Janus seat, Glassafe is made of a transparent material to make the cabin more harmonious and aesthetically light. It will minimise contact and air exchanges between passengers, thus reducing the probability of contamination.
Aviointeriors says that Glassafe is supplied in various executions, with fixing systems that allow easy installation and removal.
In a declaration to FlightGlobal, Drago says that this modification is “quicker, cheaper and less invasive” and can be delivered within two months.
Article Sources: FlightGlobal and Aviointeriors
This is not an entirely new idea, the VC-10 used to have backwards or a staggered seating arrangement in the aircraft cabin.
However these seats with that plastic look really terrible and I dont think this will become a reality in my opinion as specially given the airlines want more passenger on seats as it brings in the money.
In future I will choose to fly business class or first as although its more expensive than ecconomy/premium its much more safer when it comes to avoiding germs or stuff that can be transmitted.
As the air quality is much better in first or business class, plus you have your own private seat with a lie flat bed and in most cases a suite so privicy is much better too however I would have to save up before booking the flight as it isn’t exactly cheap.
By the time this is approved by the FAA or any aviation authority, STC, paper work, manufacture approval, lead time etc… list goes on and on there will probably be a vaccine. Right now airlines are trying to save money not spend it on short term solutions that at the end of the day really don’t provide an effective solution. One crash these “screens” are going to be chopping peoples heads off once they go flying around at fast velocity’s in the cabin, yeah you didn’t think of that.
DO NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bad enough economy seats ,let alone having to be the poor sole who has to face backwards at people you may not wish to engage with!
Also i just do not see how this is going to work? Awkard for cabin crew for serving and just bloody awful seat-up! I HOPE NOT! Also would this design cost seats?? Space arrangements effect how much capacity? Sorry i would rather go in the cargo haul! Project Sunrise suggests for ULR flights part of the cargo are turned into bed section for hire for an hour or 2 for like £100/$100 etc,that i think WOULD be popular for tall people on long flights in Economy!Hire a few hours stretch out,yes please ,its worth it if you cannot afford Club class etc,.
I think it’s an awful idea, and so is removing the middle seat.
Travel will go back to normal once there is an approved drug or vaccine.
Firstly, some experts are saying there may never be a vaccine. Secondly, even if there was one, to mandate it is unethical and will permanently reduce travel demand compared to the past. You’re naive if you think travelers will all be equally fine with injecting toxins just to get on an airplane.
I didn’t lead with a vaccine did I? I don’t believe there may never be a vaccine either
But I think there are drugs we have currently that might work and might actually get approved.
I don’t see people wanting to sit on seats like that either.
There would almost certainly need to be a different brace position for rear-facing passengers, who would probably be safer remaining upright instead. Imagine a scenario where Janus seats are implemented and statistics eventually show that Janus seat pax have higher crash survival because they don’t get thrown forward—causing the industry to refit all planes so that every passenger is facing aft. Take-off would sure be fun!
:-)~
Wont take long before people start etching their initials.
Aircraft need to be disembarked witin 2 minutes. This a FAA rule to be certified for any type of Aircraft.
You won’t make it this way !
Interesting concept, nevertheless…. it is a very risky idea because it implies that all those shields must be cleaned after every single flight; not weekly, not monthly, after every flight to keep the COVID-19 virus and any other virus that can possibly appear away.
I assume that the idea of a patent is just a “shield” to make money at the expense of public safety and health. Just another idea to make money… Bravo for the geniuses !!!!
So how are you going to get in and out of these seats with this shield ?
Unless they put more distance between each row this design will not work.
I wonder would these be more, or less, safe in a crash?
I am concerned that the Perspex will restrict people escaping the aircraft in the event of an emergency. If a person panics they will naturally pull the Perspex off the seat and throw it in the path of someone else. It can not be used over the emergency exits over the wing either due to exit restrictions. Easier to design an air system that delivers a user friendly soap solution into the air that destroys the viruses own protective shields similar to washing your hands.
I love it. Let’s hope they adopt this soon!!!