Okay – we can’t be the only ones who can’t wait to get back to the skies!
Here at GiddyUp, we’re based in different locations (mostly in the US, on both coasts) – so we’re all talking about how much we miss seeing our friends, family and each other.
So naturally, any innovation that helps us travel safely again catches our eye. The latest come from an Italian company, Avio Interiors. They designed two different types of airplane seats that include built-in social distancing measures. Let’s take a look at both!
The first concept is called Janus (a reference to the ancient Roman god of travel). This concept separates passengers from each other by reversing the middle seat – so it faces toward the back of the plane. It also includes transparent barriers between the seats.
They say this is the most efficient way to prevent the spread of germs on the plane – but it takes time to create. The earliest we could see Janus in the air is six months. However, there is a quicker option: Glassafe.
Glassafe is a barrier system using transparent shield guards on each seat. This works with existing seat designs, so it’s fast to create – we could see Glassafe within 2 months.
That said, the company warns that Glassafe is not as secure as the Janus concept. Glassafe only protects passengers from the shoulders up – so your hands are still exposed.
In any case, we applaud these efforts to bring travel back into our lives. The International Air Transport Association is reporting a 48% drop in passengers this year, so any innovation that can bring this number up is very welcome in our eyes!
Learn more at http://aviointeriors.it/
MG Johnson says
The one person facing back concept looks neat, however it puts a person in almost constant eye contact with two other strangers for the duration of the flight. Not sure I’d want that. The shields idea seems much better.
GiddyUp says
Hmm, good point – that would be a bit awkward indeed. But as long as it gets us to our destination, we’ll take it!
macpap says
The seats are shown alone, not squeezed up agains the ones in front, so going to the washroom will be even harder than it is already. Airlines are going to have to stop messing up their planes with overcrowding either way.
mac pap says
Neither of these will work on already overcrowded sardine cans!
They’ve been careful to show the front row of seats with none in front.
Tiptoe through the tulips anyone?
Ria Young says
Problems with both, especially on a long trip. The one with the centre seat reversed means that you will be facing the people on the same row which can be fairly confronting. The second one has shields that are too small.
Ray Dobos says
The entire concept of middle seat redesign is useless. Passengers already feel like sardines in these cramped
aircraft. I refuse to fly because of the cramped environment. The best solution is to remove the middle seat,
give each passenger more legroom, and space each seat further apart. I’d be willing to pay a higher fee for my
ticket for this added comfort.
GiddyUp says
We agree with you Ray – more space (and legroom!) would be the ideal solution. Another option would be to simply fly at under capacity, which seems to be the option a lot of airlines will be taking. We’ll keep an eye on this issue – in any case, it’ll definitely require some creative thinking.
Karen says
Let’s not suggest they increase the fee. The airlines should accommodate us without penalty it they want to stay in business. Otherwise, we just won’t fly and they lose more money. If a hamburger restaurant had to improve it’s ventilation to remove the smoke from the dining area, the customers should not have to pay extra for their exhaust system. It is a matter of health safety and basic business.
P D BEATTIE says
Not a good method of islolation no PPE and’ is your journey really necessary’ if not on business?
Stuart Lunn says
Glassafe and Janus can only be used if ALL the dirty air is expelled into the atmosphere and clean air is sucked in and heated before recirculating in the cabin. I am not sure many aircraft have this facility.
Karen says
Ah Stuart Lunn, I am glad someone realized this. The circulating air can have infectious particles. I appreciate the air filtration that they have, but it needs to be addressed with the addition to individual seat protection. At least the Janus is not the curtain design which funnels the air directly into the plane’s air conditioner intake. I personally like the reversed seat if I were with my family. But it may seem a bit odd when facing the row behind me.
Karen says
I was also thinking the intake system under the seats could be expelled outside the aircraft, so the virus would not circulate through the system. The actual intake that functions with the circulating air would be in a more sanitary section of the airplane.
David Thompson says
If you push your seat back (or even without pushing it back) you will be facing your neighbors on each side–unless the glass is opaque!
Gretchen A Martin says
Would it be possible to take out the middle row of seats, keep the barrier system in place, Less salable seats but more protection.
Anita says
This is ridiculous! I’ve been a Flight Attendant and Flight Attendant Supervisor for over 25 years. This cabin configuration is an emergency evacuation nightmare!
GiddyUp says
Hey Anita, we didn’t think about that – very good point. I’m sure they will have to pass safety regulations before hitting the sky, but we aren’t sure how that will happen. We’ll keep you updated if we find out more here 🙂
Aunt Linda says
Yes yes love the middle seat reversal AND the shields are a MUST HAVE ASAP PLEASE really need to get back to traveling !!!!!
Janetta Hall says
I would miss the table tray and hate to stare at people for hrs. on end when on long trips. Don’t really think it would help that much in a crowded closed in area, such as a airplane!!!!????
Antoinette says
The reverse seat is better however this is encouraging anti socialism on a permanent basis. This is not good. It would also be claustrophobic, and uncomfortable and most probably unacceptable. Both ways would effect flying in a negative way. Designing a mask for flying would be more acceptable to the public. Or having a sick bay on the plane which has safety barrier in place. So as to isolate an unwell person from the other passengers.
Greg Smits says
With a woman in the middle seat in a skirt, would be welcome to some men and uncomfortable to others
Thank says
Excellent idea, hope it will come in practice
Richard F Barber says
The reversed middle seat is the best concept
Of the two add to that gloves for the hands.
Tony says
The railroad passenger seats could face either way for a hundred years and it was cccoooooolllll!
Sharon Muscatell says
The airplane seat solutions both are disturbing. Facing people leaves greater chance for direct droplet air contamination and the shields solution will require more cleaning which historically has not been done very well and will take longer to turn flights around. The idea of packing seats so close together to increase profits was a bad idea from the beginning..now it’s also recognized for the health problem it’s always been
Sherrie Opie says
Instead of clear glass though I would prefer tinted glass
Lin Hilgendorf says
Ridiculous!!! Can you imagine what that glass would do in an emergency situation? Now that’s scary! Including the enormous expense. Just wear a mask if you are so concerned you might catch something.
Bob Fox says
Years ago PSA now SouthWest had two rear rows of facing seats. They were mostly always occupied with the requirement that the last person seated purchased drinks for the other five
Illona says
I think that a lot of families fly with toddlers, how to manage a toddler or child on a flight with such wide spaces between seats. Does this mean that some rows should be designed for families, like the shields 3 in a row as illustrated and then the rest with shields from seat to ceiling. Better air filtration on flights would be helpful as well as if you or a family member is not well with cough or runny noses do not fly. People should bring their own water and snacks onto planes. No food or drinks, have a nice meal before your flight, there should be bottled water and water filling stations in airports near departure gates. I really think we have to be proactive if we want to fly and make changes that can serve to keep us all safe
Peter Firth says
I THINK you’re wrong about Janus: according to my recollection he was the god who sat at the change between years – December and January. He had two faces, one looking backwards and…….. either way It’s a good metaphor for that aircraft seat, isn’t it?
Generally: if you can keep up that standard of your articles, I for one shall be entranced. Best wishes, my dears.
GiddyUp says
Hi Peter, you’re correct! Janus is “the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past.” It’s a clever name here – the seat is both two-faced AND helps with transitions. Thanks for your comment!
Ray Young says
Very interesting comments from people that have obviously thought the downsides through. Any thinking that’s outside of the box is very welcome if the world is to get back to its traveling by air days.