After a long meeting with executive officers in Abuja, Alhaji Musa, still needs to catch the next flight coming to Lagos and he eventually does. He thinks of nothing else but to rest both body and mind during the flight back to Lagos, even if it’s only for few minutes.
Musa struggles to rest and he hardly get this rest because the seat size of the aircraft seems to be small and uncomfortable, with coaches that are bit tough on the skin.
Modern air travel has become increasingly unpleasant as airlines continue to shrink seat sizes to fit more passengers on board and this is especially true in economy class. But not all airlines are heading in this direction. In fact, many of them are working to increase passenger comfort through new innovations.
From coach seats that convert to flat beds to cabin filtration systems that produce cleaner air, there are several ways of making airlines more working by making coach flight more enjoyable.
Several airlines have copied Air New Zealand’s design. China Airline offers an economy class Family Couch, with three economy seats that adjust into a flat bed to accommodate family and friends. The seats come with a mattress protector, pillows, blankets, and a toy for young travelers. The in-flight entertainment system for these seats also features a “Seat Chat” so you can share movies, music, and messaging with one another.
There is also Air Astana’s Economy Sleeper, which allows passengers the chance to have an entire row of three seats on long-haul flights. The Economy Sleeper has arm rests that fold up and include a mattress, pillow, duvet, complimentary amenity kit, and priority check-in. The only downside is these seats come at a hefty price, at about half the fee of the airline’s business class flights.Air New Zealand is also thinking about new ways to lay out economy class seating. The Air New Zealand Space Seat, offered on its 777-300 Premium Economy, gives passengers space and privacy with curved, couch-style seats that can rotate so that you can face the person next to you and share a meal or turn away for privacy.
The seats are a good option for people who may need to do work or catch some sleep in privacy. Offered for its premium economy class, the seating provides the option for comfortable seating without having to pay for business class
Lufthansa created slimmer seats that are made with a mesh fiber instead of traditional foam padding to allow for increased leg room. Plus, the magazine slits are found at the top of the seat back to give you more knee space. It also offers a premuim economy class that features lots of leg room at just a little more than economy class prices.
Delta Air Lines has its economy comfort class, which offers priority boarding, 50percent more recline, four more inches of legroom, and adjustable headrests and footrests. Singapore Airlines’ premium economy class seats are 19.5 inches wide, with increased leg room, 8 inches of recline, and a calf- and footrest.
Qantas has installed movable bases on the seats of its A380 that recline to offer a more comfortable sleep for premium economy passengers. The footrest also has a net below offering you a foot hammock for optimal relaxation and continued circulation flow.
Virgin Atlantic has refitted its Boeing 747 aircraft flying out of London, Gatwick, Manchester, and Glasgow, to include premium economy seats that offer up to 38 inches of seat pitch and 21 inches of width.
It’s worth noting that the premium economy seats on these airlines cost at least a few hundred dollars more than regular economy, but they’re not as expensive as business or first class, and with most airlines, the service also includes priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling.
Even budget US carrier Southwest Airline added 0.7 inches of extra room to its economy class seating recently.
Some Boeing planes have ceiling panels lit with color LEDs to make the aircraft look larger and brighter.
The Boeing Sky Interior includes curving overheard bins, large ceiling panels lit with color LEDs, and LED sidewall lighting that makes the aircraft look larger.
United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and American Airlines are just some of the airlines that have already adopted the model. The sky blue colour is typically used for daytime flights, while a pink hue resembling sunsets is used in the evening.
Ifeoma Okeke
