Airlines around the world are experiencing a serious crisis amid the coronavirus. But they are already preparing for a gradual return to normalcy. Most likely, they will have to maintain certain distances between passengers. Therefore, they are forced to look for new solutions and ways that will allow them to resume flights.
One option is to seat passengers one at a time, leaving the middle seat free. However, not all companies are ready to take such a step, because it is a loss of a large percentage of profit, which in the present conditions they need so much.
Another option is offered by the Italian firm Aviointeriors. They have introduced special plastic partitions that will protect passengers and crew.
Double-sided seat
One such model is called the Janus. It is a design in which the center seat is rotated 180 degrees.That is, the passenger rides with his back to the nose of the plane. The seats are separated by protective screens, which help to separate passengers from each other and maintain the same freedom of movement in the cabin. With this arrangement, airlines won’t have to eliminate middle-row seats.
Airlines will not have to eliminate middle-row seats.
Possible Problems
There are still some important issues for designers to address. For one thing, it’s worth examining how evacuation will be handled if passengers are seated in the opposite direction.
This could also create a bit of a problem with food service, as passing trays of food to a passenger sitting by the window becomes a bit more difficult. And it should also be analyzed to see if this will cause difficulties for parents who are flying with their children and need to help their children put on belts or feed them.
There are, however, many people who are uncomfortable flying “back-to-back”. And they claim that they get dizzy when the airplane picks up speed, as it happens in trains for example. But in the case of railroads, it happens because of the continuous change of scenery outside the window. And in airplanes, with the exception of takeoff or landing, there is no such sensation when flying.
Protective baffles
Another option is to use a simpler design. Protective baffles that attach to the headboard of the seats. Such protection is easy to attach and ideal for removal and cleaning when needed. The partitions can be opaque or transparent, depending on the airline’s level of privacy.
For airlines, this is definitely a faster and cheaper solution as it does not require redesigning an entire row of seats turned “back to back”. In addition to the health benefits, it may also be an interesting idea for passengers who are not very sociable and prefer to isolate themselves while traveling.
An interesting idea for passengers who are not very sociable and prefer to isolate themselves while traveling.
Return of the airlines
Europe is making a comeback – already under new rules. Many countries have partially began to lift quarantine measures, and that’s nothing short of heartening. All airlines are already ready to get back to work as soon as they receive authorizations from governments. Of course with all the measures in place.
It won’t be long before we see what our new “normal” will look like. The precautions and distances may be with us for a long time to come, but flying and traveling will not be eliminated. So we’ll be flying for sure, see you soon.