New seat design could squeeze even more passengers onto airplanes

Unless you're Lance Armstrong, you probably won't like this news: in an attempt to get even more passengers on a plane, Airbus has submitted a patent for a new, bicycle-like seat that lacks a headrest and tray table.

As the Los Angeles Times reports, the seats are fastened to a vertical bar, and retract when not being used. Airbus stated in its application that "to increase the number of cabin seats, the space allotted to each passenger must be reduced" — but don't let this design scare you off of flying just yet. Airbus spokeswoman Mary Anne Greczyn said that the patent filings "are simply conceptual," and "many, if not most, of these concepts will never be developed, but in case the future of commercial aviation makes on of our patents relevant, our work is protected."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up