Embarking and disembarking a plane – they should be two of the most exciting parts of the journey, but with long queues, they often end up being the most annoying.
We all have little tricks we like to think get us on and off a plane quicker (like apparently the right side moves faster when disembarking), but ultimately we’re always stuck waiting around for the people in front to move their derrières.
That is until now.
A German-based transport designer believes he may have come up with a solution to those pesky delays.
According to the designer, Ugur Ipek, the queues come from the ‘impractical shape’ of cabin interiors.
Currently, they are designed in a traditional cylinder, which restricts passenger flow.
However, he suggests a ‘cigar’ shape would be more fitting and allow passengers to move freely past others still putting away their carry on.
Ipek’s ‘CIGAR’ aircraft would feature a completely reconfigured cabin layout and the introduction of a new ‘anti-blocking aisle’, Skift.com reported.
Instead of boarding from the front and rear of the plane, the new design would see passengers board the plane from the center.
Once inside the aircraft they turn either left of right to either the front or rear of the aircraft.
Aisles on the aircraft be tapered so they get closer together as you walk to either side of the plane (see picture above).
Ipek said this would make the aisle wide enough for airlines to place a welcome lounge. But more importantly allow guests to move more freely in the centre of the plane where there’s the most human traffic.
As they move towards the front or rear of the plane, seats will come in closer together, because demand for those sections is lower.
Ipek also proposed using a double door entry at the centre of the plane, making the boarding area wider.
While it sounds like he may have the solution to a major aircraft stress, there is one issue.
“The main issue creating a big door is the weakening of the structure of the pressurized tube.”
“As I wanted to increase the flow rate, I decided to have two doors next to each other. In between, I have left one structural frame for the locking mechanism.”
Ugur Ipek, Designer
However, “it works, definitely, with one door. In addition to the enhanced boarding, the concept of radial modularity would save a lot of money when it comes to development, manufacturing, spare parts logistics, etc.
“The big center was favored by the engineers as it gave structural strength in the area of the belly fairing, where the wings are attached.”
So can we expect to see these ‘anti-blocking aisles’ on aircraft soon?
No, not yet.
Ipek says feedback from the industry has been ‘positive’, but currently Airbus – who owns the designs – is not developing new aircraft.
