An aircraft featuring double decker seats is set to be launched, the CNN reports.
The duouble-decked sitting arrangement is for economy class passengers.
The way it is configured, passengers will sit directly below other passengers, just like the double decker bed experience.
The 23-year-old airplane seat designer, Alejandro Núñez Vicente, believes double-level seating is the future of economy flying.
Air travellers have variously expressed outrage, while some are bemused, and others intrigued.
The designer, Núñez Vicente, is sharing his vision at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany – showcasing a new iteration of his controversial Chaise Longue.
“People can talk and they always hate innovation in some ways,” he says. “Most of the times, when they show you something new, everyone hates it at first, they’re scared of change. But the more you show it, and the more you develop it, and the more they see it, the more they get used to it.”
Núñez Vicente’s concept started small – as a college project back in 2021. A nomination for the 2021 Crystal Cabin Awards – a top prize in the aviation industry – catapulted the concept into the public consciousness.
Núñez Vicente paused his master’s degree and put all his time, money and efforts into making his vision a reality.
Now, Núñez Vicente has sponsors, partnership deals and is in regular conversation with “the biggest players in the industry.”
He believes his double-level airplane seat is the future of economy flying and is working around the clock to make it a reality.
At 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters), Núñez Vicente has spent many a cramped flight struggling for legroom and failing to sleep.
He says he designed the Chaise Longue to solve the airplane seat conundrum – not make it worse.
He admits that for airlines, the appeal of the Chaise Longue is the increased passenger headcount.
“Many airlines and many big players of the industry are trying to push us to put more passengers into the aircraft,“ he says. “It’s not our main priority and our main goal, but with this kind of design it’s also possible.”
Talking about possible air travellers’ reaction, Núñez Vicente says, “Most of the times when they show you something new, everyone hates it at first, they’re scared of change. But the more you show it, and the more you develop it, and the more they see it, the more they get used to it.”
