It’s no secret that travel, and more specifically, air travel has definitely changed from what we were used to in the pre-COVID-19 times. While mandatory masks and empty middle seats are already a part of our new normal, this is not a viable long-term solution for airlines. This is why design firms are rethinking what aeroplane cabins could look like post-pandemic. By Amitha Ameen
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It’s understood that we are all a little nervous when it comes to air travel simply because of the closed space constraint, but thankfully designers are already coming up with new aeroplane cabin designs that will be future-proofed against pandemics.
In a newly released concept by London-based design studio PriestmanGoode, the post-pandemic cabins feature many new and interesting changes to the economy cabins. The concept dubbed ‘Pure Skies’ features staggered seats and has even renamed both economy and business class cabins as ‘Zones’ and ‘Rooms.’
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The Pure Skies Room (business class) is envisioned as having full height curtains and fully enclosed seat partitions. Each of the seats will also be provided with personal wardrobes and an overhead storage bin. Passengers will also be provided with in-flight entertainment (IFE) system that is synchronised with their devices thereby reducing touch.
As for the Pure Skies Zones (economy class), it will feature a combination of staggered and non-staggered seats to maximise space and enable passengers to sit in the groups they are travelling with, which could be alone, as a group or as a couple. The seats will also feature dividing screens to keep the seats separated.
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Additionally, these reimagined aeroplanes will also have heat, ultraviolet UVC cleaning, and fogging as part of the cabin’s pre-boarding process, removable table trays, touch-free features, and seats that feature antimicrobial materials.
“With both passengers and airline employees at the heart of this project, we have not only taken on board present anxieties but also tried to ensure our solutions are future-proofed against future pandemics, recognising the significant commitment and investment involved,” said Nigel Goode, co-founding director at PriestmanGoode, in a statement.
But you may have to wait as long as three years to see something like this as a part of your travel experience.
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