12th  February 2010

New Aircraft design under way.

A new aircraft design is under development, where passengers would be seated in rows, facing each other, but could lead to a cheaper way of travelling. It would be more like travelling on a bus or a train, but passengers wishing to face forward could do so at a higher seat price.  

Developers of the design, which is aimed at budget airline’s short haul flights, say it could lead to a 50 per cent increase in the number of passengers on board with a saving of up to a third per seat. The new concept  would see short-haul travellers sitting on flip-up  seats with their backs to the window and unupholstered.

Food and drink trolleys would be unlikely to pass down the plane because the aisles are too narrow, under the design being developed by UK-based company Design Q.The company said it is loosely based on the way some soldiers travel to battle zones.They added it was aimed at passengers flying for an hour or less where they are less concerned about comfort and more about price.

Design Q director Howard Guy said that aircraft using the design would be lighter, more fuel efficient and let passengers board and leave more quickly.

Other airlines are looking at alternative seating arrangements, including Ryanair, who are investigating the poosibility of upright seats and some standing area at the back on some short haul flights.