When a young designer announced his double-decker seats for airplanes, the internet was ablaze. Now he’s back with a business version.
Designer Alejandro Núñez Vicente has attracted a lot of attention on social media with his double-decker seats. As CNN Travel reports, he has now presented his latest project at an aircraft trade fair in Hamburg. With the “Elevated Class” he wants to ensure more efficient use of space in business and first class.
Vicente is convinced that his type of seating arrangement represents the future of air travel. After his design for economy class already attracted a lot of interest, he has now presented a model for the more expensive classes. “Since we know that economy class is working and growing, we thought, why not tackle the other end of the cabin,” Vicente told CNN Travel.
The basic concept remains the same: the overhead luggage racks are removed to allow for two rows of seats one above the other. However, the new concept, called “Elevated Class”, has only one seat in the lower row and two seats in a couch configuration in the upper row. Each row is designed to provide enough privacy for upper class passengers and has a flat bed with plenty of legroom.
According to Vicente, the goal is to create more space for more seats on the plane, but also to offer passengers an even better experience than they have today in business or first class. Despite the controversy and debate that his design has sparked in the past, Vicente remains calm and emphasizes that “there is no such thing as bad publicity.”
The young designer is convinced of his idea and argues that most major changes have been initiated by “radical people with a crazy idea” – “like Steve Jobs with the iPhone”. He also stressed to CNN Travel that over time he has been approached by important players in the industry: “They know that sooner or later it will happen.”
Vincente wants to convince airlines with an increased number of seats. But it’s not just what goes into the cabin that could generate euphoria among airlines. The expansion of the hand luggage compartment would also have advantages.
A pilot explains in the “Merkur” that overfilled luggage compartments lead to numerous delays. Hand luggage is becoming a “huge problem” and is to blame for every second delay. People are simply not following the guidelines.
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