Support NeoGAF

[XiaNaphryz]

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Sitting-in-the-cargo-The-new-best-seat-in-the-6686965.php

Zodiac Aerospace, a French aerospace equipment and system manufacturer, has just filed for a patent that would place airline passengers into the lower deck cabin where luggage is currently stored.

The design stems from an idea to make better use of unused aircraft space. In doing so, passengers will miss a familiar feature to their travel experience — windows.

According to the patent application, adding windows to the deck will add overall weight to the aircraft. So in lieu of windows, display screens might be installed to the interior walls to showcase different open-air views, thanks to cameras that will be attached on the airplane's exterior.

Philip Robinson, founder of AeroPatent, said that while "it might not suit the traditional traveler who appreciates a real view" the "display screen sidewalls with real-time synthetic views outside the aircraft" may appeal to next generation airline passengers, the Daily Mail writes.

Despite the unusual seating placement, cargo seating could turn into a luxurious travel experience. The lower deck may be used as an executive lounge, bar or other private area for business, The Telegraph writes.

Various amenities are to be added into the cargo area such as air conditioning, wireless internet connection, vending machines, and even soundproof walls thanks to the addition of thicker walls with an insulation material.

Storing baggage will be different too — stacked bins may be introduced instead of overhead compartments.

"The general goal is for the passenger experience in the lower deck cabin to be similar to the passenger experience in the upper deck cabin," the patent notes.

Roughly 37 percent of the cargo area is used in most cases. The extra space is a result of luggage limit restrictions and the ever increasing prices added to additional baggage, the patent application states. If the approved, 110 seats could be added into the lower deck of the aircraft.

While the patent waits for approval, the question whether or not we will ever fly in the cargo area is to be determined. For now we'll just have to wait and look out of our conventional airplane window.

I'm sure the main question GAF has is whether the seats would be able to recline.

 

[User 479360]

If it's cheaper, I'd have no problem with it.

I hate flying, though, and only do it when I have to. Once or twice a year.

 

[FStop7]

Might not be a bad idea. I mean even in the A380 you can have a window seat and still not see much of anything because the window A) sits high in relation to your seat and B) there's a big gap between the bulkhead and your seat, so you have to lean way over to get a look. And because the window is high you don't really see much of the ground. A virtual window would probably be an improvement.

I'd rather have a top notch IFE with a big screen and access to different cameras placed on the exterior of the aircraft than an actual window.

 

[PumpkinSpice]

This sounds OK to me but I can see them simultaneously cutting back on the amount of luggage allowed.

 

[Fug Slanderson]

Why stop there? There's still plenty of room on the wings.

 

[sarcastor]

Who cares about windows when you're staring at your iPad most if the time? Just knock down the price and install better WiFi and I'm good

 

[Prologue]

Do we get out faster then?

 

[norm9]

Forget adding seats. Just have airlines give a couple prescription pills that'll knock me out, throw me in there with the luggage, and wake me up when we arrive and I'm good.

Just don't classify me as checked in luggage.

 

[Razorskin]

Can't wait to ride on a plane like this:

 

[The Albatross]

This is hilarious.

But, honestly, can't be too mad about this. I'm all for airlines maximizing the efficiency of their air travel both from a cost-savings and environmental (however significant) impact. 20 more people in the no-window area means they're saving a trip once every 6 or 7 flights.

 

[aspiegamer]

FINALLY, an air travel equivalent to steerage! Golden age of travel incoming, people.

 

[Curiocity]

Screens might appeal to next generation airline users? Lol. It's only appealing to me if it's cheaper. And/or I get to pet doggies and kitties riding cargo.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

FINALLY, an air travel equivalent to steerage! Golden age of travel incoming, people.

Well, this initial proposal is going more for the whole "luxury business suite" thing.

I'm sure someone else will pick up the steerage mantle soon enough.

 

[Zukuu]

I don't get why people want windows. Hell I would gladly move into an underground apartment if it's cheaper.

 

[br0ken_shad0w]

:lol expecting it to be cheaper.

 

[thefit]

Just stick VR helmets on everyone.

 

[IISANDERII]

 

[mclem]

"In place of the inflight movie, tonight we will be showing the Immersive Twilight Zone "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" experience"

 

[MikeDip]

Okay two questions.

1) Why the hell is there this unused space on planes already? The entire industry is/was having major financial trouble and you''re telling me every single plane is flying with all this space unused?

2)Why does this need a patent? How is this allowed? It's just putting chairs somewhere else on a plane. You're telling me every city that ever redesigns their busses gets a patent?

 

[braves01]

Someone photoshop Palmer Luckey in a cargo hold.

 

[entremet]

Airline economics are so nuts. I remember getting meals standard in coach for domestic flights.

 

[PlayALLtheGames]

Do we get out faster then?

Yeah you go on the luggage trolleys with the luggage, then sit on the luggage carousel to enter the airport.

 

[Lionel Mandrake]

Lol, this is something Mandrake Air would do.

 

[Sir Abacus]

I can see it now...

Okay two questions.

1) Why the hell is there this unused space on planes already? The entire industry is/was having major financial trouble and you''re telling me every single plane is flying with all this space unused?

Only on some airlines. But the aircraft may already be too dense with cargo to go over MTOW. Like if some idiot overnights two tons of lead shot by air it's not going to take up space but it still takes up weight. Comparatively people are less dense than luggage/cargo.

 

[aspiegamer]

Well, this initial proposal is going more for the whole "luxury business suite" thing.

I'm sure someone else will pick up the steerage mantle soon enough.

It might be billed as luxury, but how could one not appreciate the similarity?! Actually, the cheap version would be perfect for short-distance domestic travel in developing countries where they're desperately trying to artificially inflate demand. China, I'm looking at you. But really, drug me for sleep before the flight and I'll gladly be shoved into the cargo hold for a nominal sub-retail fare.

 

[chuckddd]

Count me in!

 

[Sir Abacus]

Just for reference here's the cargo hold compared to the cabin on a wide body aircraft:

 

[Chris R]

I better get to ride the conveyor belt to board and deplane.

 

[Vilam]

*shrug* Sounds fine. The window/view doesn't have any impact on my comfort during a flight.

 

[Trojita]

Shinra Airlines

 

[commedieu]

I want a glass bottomed plane.

 

[AndyD]

I better get to ride the conveyor belt to board and deplane.

lol. Seriously though, I'd be OK with it. Especially on a red eye or short flight. I generally prefer aisle seats anyway.

 

[Dabanton]

Would this mean more leg room in economy? Let me guess. No.

 

[bionic77]

I would like 2 tickets, cargo class, return trip to Chicago please.

This is a thing we will say in the future. Or would if we still had travel agents.

 

[CarpeDeezNutz]

Who cares about windows when you're staring at your iPad most if the time? Just knock down the price and install better WiFi and I'm good

Was about to post this. I haven't been on a plane in years but I would imagine people these days don't care as much about looking out a window as they do about scrolling through their phone.

 

[Alucrid]

do we get packaged up in a box too?

 

[bodyboarder]

Atleast they were smart about it and their initial pitch is for luxurious travel and not cattle class.

 

[nicoga3000]

How do windows add more weight than all the stuff they want to put in?

 

[Stuart444]

How do windows add more weight than all the stuff they want to put in?

That's the thing I was confused about as well.

 

[Sir Abacus]

How do windows add more weight than all the stuff they want to put in?

Because all everywhere you put a window you need to increase rigidity which means more materials which means more weight.

 

[Dupy]

Just for reference here's the cargo hold compared to the cabin on a wide body aircraft:

Boy maybe I'm just tired but I can't figure out what I'm looking at here. Is this a screenshot from Portal 3?

 

[shagia]

Human Storage Class

 

[Kwixotik]

For significantly reduced flight price, I don't even need the fake windows.

 

[Sir Abacus]

Boy maybe I'm just tired but I can't figure out what I'm looking at here. Is this a screenshot from Portal 3?

It's a cutaway of an Airbus A300. You can see the top half where the cabin is, the seats, the overhead bins. Then below you see the cargo hold, how big it is but taken up by a cargo.

 

[Megalosaro]

Won't happen. Airlines make more money selling cargo space to freight forwarders than they do passengers.

That space is a hot commodity, that is why airlines began limiting checked baggage.

 

[killer rin]

Well, if they are able to lower the prices a bit because they can pack more people into the plane, I would be all for this. Don't really need a window anyways, its fun to look at during take-off and landing, but after that you are either asleep or on a tablet/laptop

Lol, this is something Mandrake Air would do.

I thought the appeal of Mandrake air was that if they ran out of seats, they would just tape you to the walls. You know, really pack-em in there.

 

[Dupy]

It's a cutaway of an Airbus A300. You can see the top half where the cabin is, the seats, the overhead bins. Then below you see the cargo hold, how big it is but taken up by a cargo.

I see it now. Neat!

 

[daveo42]

My big concern is weight limitations on currently existing aircraft. Windows, sure, add a ton of weight. So do 110 additional passengers. If it's within spec, then it should be fine, but there has to some trade-off somewhere to accommodate a much larger, heavier load in the cargo area of the plane.

Is this patent only going to apply to specific aircraft or is it something that could be applied to a variety of planes?

If it's cheaper, I'd have no problem with it.

I hate flying, though, and only do it when I have to. Once or twice a year.

Sounds like they'd try to sell these seats at a premium instead.

 

[ShaoranWright]

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Sitting-in-the-cargo-The-new-best-seat-in-the-6686965.php



I'm sure the main question GAF has is whether the seats would be able to recline.

I would have no problem if they provide me with a VR headset to watch a movie or something.

 

[Hexa]

So the implication is that there is generally more room for luggage available on the lower deck than is necessary? But adding more people would also add more luggage. So it could be a difficult balancing act.
I can see this resulting in more expensive luggage fees in the long term as they try to cram more people in.
Or is it the case that there's always so much extra room that it shouldn't matter? But then whats up with overweight fees?