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Is this new airline seat the answer to making flying comfortable for tall people?

A new airline seat aimed at making flying more comfortable for tall people has been developed by a London-based design company.

The PearsonLloyd Eco Seat, named after the company behind it, has a removable headrest with a central spine and neck running through the back of the chair. This maximises personal space for those in Economy, the company says, letting passengers put their knees either side of the spine and recline further in the seat without imposing on neighbouring travellers.

Other features include a tray table which extends laterally, taking up minimal space, and upper and lower storage areas to reduce unnecessary passenger movement inflight.

Space limitation on planes has encouraged design companies to get creative when thinking about how to best utilise the available room. It’s hoped that the Eco Seat will enable airlines to boost passenger comfort without having to sacrifice any rows.

The seat’s development also means flying may become more tolerable for tall people, who suffer disproportionately from the cramped conditions in Economy on board many planes.

Luke Pearson, PearsonLloyd director, said in a statement: “Over the last 15 years we have seen air fares get cheaper and cheaper and spaces diminish. The drive for more economic aircraft, flying further with more people inside, is probably a trend that will continue for some time. With that pressure the drive for new formats to carry passengers better will continue.”

Neutral Digital, which worked on the VR technology in the Eco Seat, says it will improve travel in terms of both comfort and enjoyment. Christian Grou, partner at Neutral Digital, told The Independent: “Users will experience the space, forms and materials of the design in a fun, memorable and uniquely immersive way.”

It’s hoped the Eco Seat’s design will improve flying for taller people (Neutral Digital)
It’s hoped the Eco Seat’s design will improve flying for taller people (Neutral Digital)

The Eco Seat is not the only seat design to make headlines in recent months. Last year, Italian firm Avio Interiors unveiled SkyRider 2.0, a more upright seat which restricted space, but could possibly increase seat capacity on board by 20 per cent.

In a statement, the firm said: “The Skyrider 2.0 is an innovative seat, it allows an ultra-high density in the aircraft cabin. Skyrider 2.0 opens the travelling experience to a wider passenger market, creating also a useful space for the introduction [of] mixed classes boarded on the same aircraft.”

In 2009, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary suggested that passengers would be allowed to stand in future, in order to boost seat capacity, arguing that they would be charged less for travelling on “bar stools”.