April 22, 2020

Strange new world; Is this the future of air travel?

You might as well accept that things are going to be different in the post-coronavirus months ahead. Everything. From the way we eat out - to the way we travel. But that doesn't mean we won't adapt to a new reality. We will - and it'll be fine.

Public transportation, as you knew it, will change - is changing. A new airplane plane seat design gives an indication as to how the future may look.

The new designs would see hygiene screens fitted in each seat, as well as new middle seats, which would face backward while flying.

The revolutionary sitting arrangement was revealed by Aviointeriors, the same company that created stand-up seats for aircraft cabins. In economy class, each seat would have a plastic screen around the head and side, preventing contact with the passenger next to them.

The screen, called Glassafe, is transparent to allow communication but will prevent the spread of any viruses between travelers.

It can also be fitted onto existing economy seats and leaves the lower part of the seat free for passengers to continue using the in-flight entertainment or to eat their meals.

While Aviointeriors claims it is ready to be produced, it is unlikely to be manufactured anytime soon, with it needing to pass safety regulations first.

It's been dubbed the Janus seat after the two-faced Roman God.

There is also no scientific evidence proving the screens work – some studies also suggest that the virus can live on plastic for up to three days, so the cabins would still need to be thoroughly cleaned between flights.

Currently, airlines are considering keeping the middle seat empty while capacity is low to ensure social distancing.

Now if we can just clean the cabin air :/