Leading plane manufacturer Airbus recently filed a patent for a new under-seat compartment to be used for storing your hand luggage whilst flying. So is this the end of storing your carry on over your head?
Well, no – not quite.
The overhead storage bins are still needed to accommodate larger hand luggage – such as carry-on suitcases and those bags wielded by cost-cutting budget travellers (have you seen the size of bags some travellers try to pass as hand luggage? It’s ‘redonkulous’!).
But the new under-seat compartments will allow passengers to store smaller bags – such as laptop cases, small backpacks and handbags – directly underneath them.
Take a look at the design yourself:
How cool is that? Convenience in the air…
Well, again – let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
In flight, passengers would still need to get out of their seats and lift up the seat cushion to get access to their stuff.
And – perhaps most annoyingly – the new under-seat compartments will stop passengers from being able to stretch their legs in front of them: that recess under the seat in front of you will be filled with someone else’s stuff – according to the proposed design.
In its filing, Airbus – which manufactures the A380, the world’s largest passenger plane – said the seat design could be used on aeroplanes, buses, cars or trains.
The French plane manufacturer are also considering introducing a new split-level seating configuration in premium cabins such as business class on its A380.
According to this design, rows in the middle section would alternate between floor level and an elevated level several feet higher.
They are also proposing a new virtual reality isolation helmet that will allow passengers to cancel out peripheral noise – such as crying babies – and immerse themselves in in-flight entertainment. They will come with a built-in video screen, earphones and a mini-airbag to protect the head during extreme turbulence.
Now that is cool indeed…
Airbus have also partnered with Uber to provide the world’s first on-demand helicopter service, unveiled at the recent 2016 Sundance Film Festival.