The Next Premium Seating Revolution?

Every year at AIX, we see a range of innovative concepts for future aircraft cabins launched, from RECARO’s plug-and-play tray tables to Panasonic’s 45 inch curved IFE screen. One regular event attendee is Alejandro Nunez Vicente, with his Chaise Longue stacked seating concept.

Each year, the Chaise Longue continues to grab attention and interest at the show, with a full-scale economy prototype on show last year. However, Alejandro has upped the game again this year, launching a new mixed business and first class concept, bringing stacked seating to a more premium market. This product has been named “Elevated Class”.

Photo: Chaise Longue

What is the concept?

The concept unlocks more space for passengers by stacking them on top of each other. While this doesn’t sound like a luxurious solution, the result offers passengers an incredible amount of space compared to some current solutions.

Photo: Chaise Longue

The idea is that the double-deck seating will only be placed in the middle of the cabin where it is highest, with typical seating remaining on the left and right. In the middle, there would be a 2-2 seating concept at the aisle level, with two business class seats, each with direct aisle access.

Photo: Chaise Longue

Each business class seat will have integrated storage for two carry-on suitcases and a backpack. The seat has a width of 24 inches (61cm), offering a bed length of 88.6 inches (2.25m). For comparison,

Lufthansa

’s extra-long business class Allegris seats have a bed length of 2.2m.

Related

First Impressions: We Explored Lufthansa’s New Allegris Airbus A350 Cabin

This cabin has been a long time in the making, but it seems the wait was worth it!

What about first class?

Meanwhile, above both of these sits a “throne-style” first class seat centered in the middle of the cabin. Alejandro points out that all can have additional comfort due to the extra space created by raising the seat. For example, in the case of the raised first class seat, he points out that even though the bed goes into a box, the additional space afforded means you don’t have the sometimes coffin-like feeling of some other seats.

Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying

While the first class seat would likely only be certified for one passenger during taxi, takeoff, and landing, it is designed to be large enough to seat two comfortably for dinner services and watching a film, for example. As a larger seat, the first class seat offers the possibility of integrated storage for two carry-on suitcases and two backpacks. The seat is significantly wider at 39.8 inches (101cm). However, the bed clocks in slightly smaller than its business class counterpart, with a length of 79.5 inches (2.02m) and a width of 27.6 inches (70cm).

Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying

Answering questions on the product

Sitting down with Simple Flying, Alejandro took the time to explain the concept and answer any potential problems that could be associated with the idea.

When you are a first class passenger, part of the experience you are paying for is being in the first class section. How do you deal with suddenly having to share the cabin with business class passengers?

“We call that cabin segregation and it’s good and it’s bad depending how you look at it. If you’re trying to fly first class for cheaper, this would be the solution because it’s putting a first class experience in a business class layout. For the passenger the entry prices for the seat would be lower.”

How do you deal with accessibility issues when the first class seats are located up steps?

“Accessibility is variable, like with the economy class seat. The lower row is probably much easier to access than a business class seat in a herringbone configuration. The upper rows are much harder to access. However, the steps to the upper row are as wide and as big as the steps on a normal staircase. We try to design for everyone, and that’s what I’ll always defend. It is true that with two-level seating it’s not feasible to have upper-row passengers with wheelchairs, but there is enough space under the lower seats to store a folded wheelchair.”

Have you done any sort of feasibility study for the certification of this concept?

“The good thing is that we can use the feasibility study from the economy class in order to develop these seats because this one is carrying fewer passengers, and therefore less weight. This makes it easier to certify. But this is also a concept, not a final seat.”

How customizable is the product for any given airline?

“You can customize up to 85% of this structure. Basically, the core structure remains the same. Everything that you can see around except the seat and the bed structure can be fully customized.”

What do you think of the concept? Would you fly on it? Let us know what you think and why in the comments below!