Home Top

The radical 'sliding seat' that could make boarding flights far faster

Aisle seat can be slid over middle seat to create more room
Increases aisle width from 19 inches to 43 inches
Seat simply locked back in place when all passengers are ready

Published: 17:45 EST, 23 September 2015 | Updated: 20:20 EST, 23 September 2015

View
comments

It could solve one of the most stressful parts of air travel.

Boarding the plane, stowing your luggage away and trying to squeeze past passengers doing the same, all in a very tight space, is a huge problem.

Now, a radical sliding seat could make it far easier - and dramatically cut boarding time for flights

Scroll down for video

The new system allows seats to be slid together to create more room in the aisle while passengers and laoding and unloading bags.

HOW IT WORKS

The system works by enabling the outer seat to slide over the middle seat.

This increases aisle width from 19 inches to 43 inches and allows passengers to move about more.

Travellers then just slide the seat back, locking it into place.

The aisle and window seat sit slightly higher and further forward while the middle seat is 2 inches wider and sits slightly lower and further back.

US company Molon Labe Designs claims that its 'Slider Seat' will save airlines two hours of extra flying time each day and result in 'happy, loyal customers'.

Hank Scott, COO of Molon Labe Designs said: 'We have all experienced being stuck in the aisle of an airliner, waiting, waiting, waiting to get to our seats or get off.

'Wasted time, wasted fuel, and added frustration.

'No one has ever successfully addressed this problem...until now.'

'The faster turnarounds offered by the wider aisle results in faster turnarounds, improved fleet utilization and reduced airside costs,' it says.

'For passengers we provide a less stressful travel experience, more comfort and increased living space.

'The staggered design of the Side-Slip Seat increases living space for all passengers.

'The aisle and window seat sit slightly higher and further forward while the middle seat is 2 inches wider and sits slightly lower and further back.

'The result is that the passenger next to you is not exactly next to you....which gives you more living space.'

The system works by enabling the outer seat to slide over the middle seat, increasing aisle width from 19 inches to 43 inches and allowing passengers to move about more.

Travellers then just slide the seat back, locking it into place.

Before and after: The system works by enabling the outer seat to slide over the middle seat, increasing aisle width from 19 inches to 43 inches and allowing passengers to move about more.

The aisle and window seat sit slightly higher and further forward while the middle seat is 2 inches wider and sits slightly lower and further back.

The aircraft interior design firm says the plan would not only improve emergency exit time due to a 'shorter pathway to overwing exits' but help settle that other battle air passengers endure - competition for the shared armrests.

The company's website says: 'Increasing the aisle will reduce airline on-ground turnaround times. By allowing aircraft to turn in half the time we can give airlines 120 minutes of extra flight time per day per aircraft.

'Passengers would be able to take their seats quicker as they would be better able to manoeuvre around people and crew who are stowing their belongings and assisting others.'

The U.S. trade organization Airlines for America estimates that every minute a plane sits docked at a gate with the engine running costs about $81 to $100 in fuel and associated costs.

The Slip-Slide team say they have already conducted boarding efficiency trials with their aisle seats using the 'sit anywhere' boarding method favored by Southwest and block boarding used by most carriers.

When the sliding seats are fully folded up, boarding efficiency is improved by 4.5 minutes during random boarding and a full 6.7 minutes—or 33 percent-- for blocking boarding.

US company Molon Labe Designs claims that its 'Sider Seat' will save airlines two hours of extra flying time each day and result in 'happy, loyal customers'. The system works by enabling the outer seat to slide over the middle seat.

If an airline performs 1,000 turnarounds a day, 6.7 minutes amounts to $670,000 saved per day—about $245 million a year.

It is now working with the National Institute for Aviation Research to get the seat certified for use in commercial aircraft.

The Association for Airline Passenger Rights has called for the FAA to certify the prototype in order to allow airlines to order the product for their aircraft.

When the sliding seats are fully folded up, boarding efficiency is improved by 4.5 minutes during random boarding and a full 6.7 minutes—or 33 percent-- for blocking boarding.

'AAPR has always prided itself on being a solutions-based consumer rights organization, and the new Slide-Slip Seat provides a workable solution for numerous issues facing airline passengers, as well as the airlines,' said Brandon M. Macsata.

'For example, AAPR has proudly stood up for the rights and fairer treatment of passengers of size, calling out the inhumane treatment often experienced by these customers simply because they weigh more.

'In doing so, AAPR believes that we're standing up for every single passenger because the simple fact remains that passengers are crammed into coach class cabins like sardines.'

According to Macsata, Molon Labe Designs' revolutionary Slide-Slip Seat provides a more accessible, comfortable flying experience for various passengers with special needs, including passengers of size and passengers with disabilities.