AoC number
244
Primary domain
PASS
Secondary domain
AU
Description
Higher-density passenger cabin configurations are being explored, such as standing passengers, to increase the numbers of passengers that can be accommodated for short-haul flights. More passengers generate more revenue and this approach would enable higher passenger loads on each aircraft. However, the effectiveness of these designs might vary. One concept, certified by the EASA, involves moving the cargo compartment forward and optimizing the pitch to increase seating capacity, but only adds four seats. Airbus has suggested replacing existing evacuation doors with smaller over-wing doors, with the goal of fitting 240 passengers to a single aircraft, while Lufthansa plans to install double-lavatories in the aft to increase fore space.
More drastic ideas for increasing seat capacity have been pitched. For instance, the HD31 design takes configurations of three seats, with two facing forward and one facing back, and jams multiple blocks of them into economy space, forming an interlocking honeycomb pattern. Airbus has also pitched the idea of having 11 smaller seats per row. Other options include the “Air-Lair”, a set of cocoons attached to the walls of the aircraft in which passengers can sit, and a variation of the HD31 with privacy screens in-between passengers, for increased comfort. Standing seats have been considered, but issues of maintaining posture and comfort over long-haul flights have not yet been corrected.
Potential hazard
- Lack of or poorly located cabin emergency equipment
- Reduced crashworthiness
- Presence of additional combustible or out-gassing materials in the cabin
- Passenger health issues
Last update
2017-08-28
Corroborating sources and comments
http://www.airlinetrends.com/category/signs-of-the-economic-times/
High-density cabin configurations for A320; http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/passengeraircraft/a320family/a321/
Air France became the first European airline to take delivery of the Airbus A380. Air France will operate the aircraft – of which it has 12 on firm order – in a three-class 538-seat layout (9 seats in first, 80 in business and 449 in economy), the highest density A380 configuration sofar.
http://www.airlinetrends.com/2009/11/02/air-france-a380-flagship/
http://atwonline.com/manufacturers/easa-certifies-atr-72-600-high-density-cabin-layout (A new concept for a high-density cabin layout moves the cargo compartment forward and “optimizes the pitch” to increase seating capacity. However, in the ATR-72-600 model, seating capacity only goes up by four. The EASA approved the design in 2015.)
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/best-and-worst-airline-seating-concepts (Several models for high-density configuration are on display here, with commentary. For instance, the HD31 design takes configurations of three seats, with two facing forward and one facing back, and jams multiple blocks of them into economy space, forming an interlocking honeycomb pattern. Airbus has also pitched the idea of having 11 smaller seats per row, and giving each passenger their own VR helmet [as a side-note]. Other options include the “Air-Lair”, a set of cocoons attached to the aircraft’s walls, and British Airways’ idea, similar to the HD31 but with privacy screens.)
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2016/08/18/airbus-explains-how-cabin-flex-enables-dense-a321neo-layouts/ (A concept from Airbus involves replacing existing evacuation doors with smaller over-wing doors, allowing more seats to be squeezed in or for existing seats to be widened. The goal is to fit 240 passengers to a single aircraft, which can be achieved by installing two window doors and taking out a single evacuation door.)
https://www.lufthansa-technik.com/high-density-solution (Lufthansa’s solution is surprisingly simple, but effective: by installing double-lavatories in their aft cabin, they can clear up extra cabin space in the fore. The rear cabin attendant seat will also be replaced with a Digital Direct View screen. The goal is to increase capacity from 180 to 186 passengers.)