At the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, the designer of the infamous double-decker airline seats, Alejandro Núñez Vicente, has introduced a prototype for a first-class version of his unique seating arrangement. The original coach class design featured one row above another, allowing for more legroom for lower-seated passengers, but without overhead luggage bins. The new first-class iteration, named “elevated class,” maintains this bi-level concept but with a different layout. The upper tier resembles a sofa with two seats, providing extra space and comfort compared to traditional first-class seating.
Núñez Vicente’s goal was to enhance air travel by maximizing seating capacity and offering a superior experience for passengers. The bottom seat in the “elevated class” configuration is an enclosed cubicle with a spacious footwell for stretching out, ideal for solo travelers. In contrast, the upper tier is designed for those traveling with a companion or individuals seeking more space. Despite the absence of overhead luggage lockers, the designer assures that the roomy footwells offer ample storage to compensate for the lack of bins, providing a larger area than typical first-class seating.
Although the economy version of Núñez Vicente’s design faced criticism and mockery for its claustrophobic layout, the designer remains undeterred. He believes that radical ideas have the potential to revolutionize industries, citing examples like Steve Jobs’ innovative products. Despite concerns raised by critics about limited space and safety during turbulence, Vincente is confident in the appeal of his unique seating arrangement. He is determined to push forward with his “elevated class” concept and anticipates interest from big players in the aviation industry.
The top row of the “elevated class” configuration offers passengers less than 5 feet of space between the seat and the plane’s top, restricting movement and preventing passengers from standing up. Some critics have expressed doubts about the safety and comfort of the design, with one Redditor joking that passengers in the lower quadrant may break both knees simultaneously during turbulence. However, Núñez Vicente remains optimistic, believing that any publicity, even negative, can ultimately lead to success. He is eager to launch the “elevated class” seating concept and is confident in its potential to attract interest from key industry players.
Despite the controversial nature of the double-decker airline seats, Núñez Vicente is not the only designer exploring innovative seating solutions for air travel. An Italian aerospace company recently unveiled a convertible “sofa-bed” style business class seat that they claim could revolutionize the industry. This trend towards creative and unconventional seating designs reflects a growing interest in enhancing the passenger experience and maximizing space efficiency on aircraft. As designers continue to push the boundaries of traditional seating configurations, the future of air travel is likely to see more innovative and unique seating concepts come to life.
