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Here's what economy cabins could look like in the Covid era

A new design sees economy and business class cabins completely reconfigured - PriestmanGoode
A new design sees economy and business class cabins completely reconfigured - PriestmanGoode

Though still only a concept, these new designs provide a look at the possible future of air travel 

Air travel already looks different in a Covid-19 world, with the introduction of masks and enhanced cleaning techniques – but a new plane cabin design has taken things one step further and shown how a pandemic-era plane could look.

London-based firm, PriestmanGoode, has unveiled designs for new economy- and business-class cabins built to address key passenger concerns about flying during a pandemic, such as hygiene, personal space and contactless travel.

The changes include dividing screens between rows, seats without pockets and surfaces that can change colour to show passengers they have been cleaned.

A new layout also offers more personal space to those on board, helping solve the question of how passengers social distance on board. This has so far been addressed by airlines leaving middle seats empty, something unsustainable in the long term as businesses seek to bring capacity – and profits – back to pre-Covid levels.

Named Pure Skies, the design re-conceptualises both business and economy class by renaming them “Rooms” and “Zones”. Those in the former can enjoy complete privacy, while those in the latter will find their economy experience vastly changed.

A new seat back without pocket or tray table - PriestmanGoode
A new seat back without pocket or tray table - PriestmanGoode

In a Pure Skies ‘Zone’, staggered and non-staggered seat configurations are used to “maximise personal space”. This will also allow passengers to sit in the groups they are travelling in, whether that be alone, as a couple or in a group. Dividing screens are also used to enhance separation. Seats themselves will be as seamless as possible, to reduce the risk of dirt and grime getting caught in small spaces.

In-flight entertainment (IFE) screens will be removed, with passengers encouraged to use their own devices instead. A device holder will be installed in seats that can hold multiple devices. Without your own device? You’ll be able to hire one from the airline, something PriestmanGoode calls an “additional commercial opportunity”.

Other ways for the airline to make money include optional passenger extras like seats with more pitch and a traditional IFE screen.

Seat-back trays have also been reimagined. Those looking to eat on board will be able to request a clip-on meal tray direct from the trolley, enabling more effective cleaning.

Seat pockets are also gone, with passengers instead offered an optional bag with literature inside.

A Pure Skies ‘Room’ features individual seat partitions fully enclosed by full height curtains. The seats will be made with antimicrobial materials and finishes, and each will come with a personal wardrobe and overhead storage bin.

The new business class cabin - PriestmanGoode
The new business class cabin - PriestmanGoode

Rather than removing in-flight screens, passengers will instead be able to sync their devices to their screen to reduce touch.

One of the biggest changes for both cabins is the introduction of integrated UVC cleaning, something which is already beginning to be rolled out by airlines. Though the effect of this UVC light on coronavirus is not yet proven, the new design – and some airlines – are banking on the psychological reassurance this will provide passengers.

Despite the recent loosening of travel restrictions in Europe, flights are still nowhere near recovered. Convincing nervous customers that flying is safe and clean will be crucial in getting numbers back to what they were.

“We have introduced the idea of UVC light and heat cleaning to the cabin. And, by using existing technologies such as photochromic and thermochromic inks that would react to the new cleaning methods, a message of reassurance can be seen on the fabric surface while boarding but then disappears once the passenger is settled,” said Maria Kafel-Bentkowska, PriestmanGoode’s head of CMF (colour, material and finish).

In essence, this means that multi-coloured lighting will be used to reassure passengers that the seats have been cleaned.

UVC light will be used to clean but also to reassure passengers - PriestmanGoode
UVC light will be used to clean but also to reassure passengers - PriestmanGoode

Currently these new designs are purely a concept, but the design firm is optimistic about their being used within a few years.

“We’ve looked ahead to imagine future scenarios and taken into account new passenger behaviours driven by the global pandemic to ensure our designs can be implemented within a few years and will meet user and airline requirements for many years ahead,” said Nigel Goode, co-founding director at PriestmanGoode.

A previous pandemic-minded design was also released back in April by Avio Interiors, the same company which infamously created stand-up seats for aircraft cabins.

In its version, economy seats have a plastic screen around the head and side, creating a transparent bubble around each passenger. This can also be fitted onto existing economy seats. There’s no scientific evidence proving the screens work, however, and more worryingly, some studies have suggested that the virus can live on plastic for up to three days.

An alternative design from Avio Interiors - Avio Interiors
An alternative design from Avio Interiors - Avio Interiors

Some seats would also face backwards. Dubbed the Janus, after the two-faced Roman God, middle seats could be shifted so the passenger faces the back of the plane. However, with the middle passenger facing backwards, there would still be the risk of contamination with passengers in the previous row.

Avio Interiors claimed at the time these designs were ready to be produced, but they are still in the process of passing safety regulations, which may take some time.