A comfortable seat to sink into when you board a plane wasn't
always a given for air travel. Artemis Aerospace investigates –
take a seat and find out more!
WISTON, England, Sept. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- You've made it to
the airport, checked your luggage in, browsed the shops and finally
got on the plane. You've bagged a window seat, stowed your bag in
the overhead locker and perused your fellow passengers, hoping you
won't end up with a seat-kicker behind or seat recliner in front .
. . what you're probably not thinking about is the design of your
seat. However, there's an interesting history behind the evolution
of airline seats. Here we delve into it …
Today, the comfort of travellers during their journey is a top
priority for airlines competing for business; designers battle it
out to provide the most relaxing experience. This is quite a change
from the very first seating arrangements for passengers in the
1920s, which were plain wicker chairs – and these weren't even
fastened to the floor, so any in-flight turbulence had the
potential to cause an untidy heap of wicker and people. The wicker
chairs lasted for around ten years and were subsequently fitted to
the floor as well as having extra padding and being lined with
leather. Leather was a practical option as it was easy to clean
back in the day when air travel was a much dustier experience. By
the end of the thirties, velour covers were making their way
in.
In 1930, the Aluminum Company of America designed an aluminium
passenger seat which was light and adaptable. Fast forward to the
present day and nearly all airline seats are still manufactured in
aluminium. This first seat may have been a state-of-the-art
invention, but there was still no means of adjusting it, although
foam-filled rubber seats were introduced to prevent discomfort from
sitting on a hard metal chair.
Initially, seats were usually arranged in a 2+1, 2+2 or 3+3
formation as aircraft grew in size. As longer flights gradually
became possible, the recliner chair was introduced in 1929, thus
igniting the age-old issue of whether to recline and possibly annoy
the person behind or remain upright. Some airlines introduced seats
which converted to beds for an overnight flight, and the move
towards the comfort of passengers began to grow in momentum, with
improved shock absorbency in the seats and the introduction of head
and footrests.
Some of the first seating arrangements involved seats configured
around a table, as they are in trains, and when food began to be
served on aircraft, it was brought to the traveller on a real tray.
One can imagine the mess if the plane hit a rough patch! The tray
tables which fold down from the back of the seat weren't introduced
until 1973.
In 1952 multi-fare flights were permitted by IATA (International
Air Transport Association) and that was the beginning of the
airline class system, with standard class seats being roomier than
those in coach class (which became economy), but still with all the
seats facing the front.
In the 21st century, with increased emphasis on
customer experience, airlines are experimenting with different
seating configurations, such as reverse or staggered herringbone
set-ups, which give more privacy and enable people to access the
aisle without clambering over their fellow passengers.
Back-of-seat screens didn't appear until 1988; prior to that
onboard entertainment consisted of a large screen at the front of
the cabin and individual headphones. Top of the range LED
high-definition touch screens on seat backs are now beginning to be
replaced by direct-to-device screening.
Interestingly, recliner seats are on the decrease. Finnair has
removed them entirely from business class, while BA's new Airbus
models have pre-reclined seats. There are a number of reasons for
this. Firstly, the cost of reclining seats is high, and with many
complicated parts, they are easily broken by impatient passengers
and require frequent maintenance. They are much heavier, adding to
the weight of the plane and subsequent cost of fuel. Removing them
also saves space – and eliminates the regular necessity for cabin
crew to mediate between the recliners and the irate
reclined-on!
Today's aircraft seat is manufactured with strict guidelines on
flammability in the materials used and is designed to protect the
passenger as much as possible in the event of an accident.
Interestingly, in this age of sustainability, Air France has an
initiative whereby its old aircraft seating materials are recycled
into no doubt très chic bags and accessories.
Latest high-end seat designs can include LED screens with
Bluetooth, USB charging ports, noise-cancelling headphones or even
headrest speakers and motorised leg rests. Emirates airline's first
class seats even have a zero gravity setting which helps create a
sense of weightlessness for better sleep. It's a long way from a
wicker chair . . .
www.artemisaerospace.com
Photo -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2505077/Artemis_Aerospace.jpg
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/artemis-aerospace-investigates-the-evolution-of-the-passenger-airline-seat-302247822.html