Website     News      Legislation     Help! I'm Stranded      Media     Contact

Trading Spaces FlyersRights checks out the largest trade fair for aircraft interiors, and reports on the fools of the trade. April  7, 2017 FlyersRights was at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2017 in Hamburg this week, taking a look at the latest interiors of aviation. The products at the trade show were all about boosting airline revenue, via seat density, automating in-flight service (beware, cabin crew!) and keeping passengers entertained. But, we couldn't help but be impressed by all the groundbreaking work done on new ways to squeeze passengers physically and financially! We also heard frequently from vendors that a seat pitch of 28 inches actually "feels like 30 inches" due to the way the "seats are designed to conform to the human body" - presumably to normalize the airline industry's tightest and worst pitch.  Biggest Revelations:  (photo: Airbus) Are they going to pay people to take the middle seat? Airbus is turning the A380 into a massive people mover by squeezing posteriors in tighter. The aircraft manufacturer showcased a mockup of its new 11-across seating. High density was a big theme at the expo, where Airbus was pushing its 11-across economy-class configuration - previously it was 10 seats per row.  10-across was the density that met FAA evacuation standards for the A380. Now there will be 11-across for airlines that chose that layout. The robotic waiter and trash collector made by Altran Technologies operates at the AIX in Hamburg. Tired of losing the beverage-cart lottery? Paris-based Altran has invented a robotic waiter that takes your drink and snack order in advance and rolls it up to your row. The self-driving trolley also collects garbage at the end of the flight. which leaves more time for human attendants to focus on important issues like clothing violations. However, the robot lacks arms, so the job of passing hot coffee to window-seat passengers will be outsourced to the unlucky aisle-seat occupants. (Click image for video from Expo) The Side Slip economy seat is scheduled to be flying by the end of this year. The aisle seat slides across to speed up boarding. Space Maker Sliding seats are the way of the future -says the manufacturer, Molon Labe Designs. Its pitch for reconfiguring cabins includes an aisle seat that slides over the middle seat to widen the corridor during boarding. The Denver-based startup also says its middle seats are the industry's widest at 21 inches and they're positioned farther back and slightly lower than its neighbor seats on the aisle and window, creating fewer armrest battles. Molon Labe Designs  promotional video. . (FlyersRights proofreader, Dan P's interpretation below:) Speeds up boarding? Sure. Window seats board first, followed by the skinny aliens in the middle seats, then aisle seats last? The aviation industry has doubled-down on the search for in-cabin contraptions to lure passengers and increase revenue streams. Notice the contactless payment reader built into the seat. (photo: Kevin@EconomyBeyond) ' (Click image for video.) The GermFalcon sanitization is a robot with arms that rolls down the aisle zapping ultraviolet light across the cabin to sanitize armrests, tray tables and seats - presumably without the passengers board. The company says airplanes are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria and there are no regulations or cleanliness standards for passenger cabins. The device can destroy bacteria and viruses on 54 seats in 1 minute. There's already so much radiation at airports and in planes, who is going to be bothered by a few rays more? Window Shopping - You've got your window seat and nestled into your travel pillow. Now for a relaxing view of, um, stock prices and shopping websites. Vision Systems, based in Lyon, France, wants airlines to turn their windows into pane-shaped infotainment screens that passengers can swipe through to see flight details, order drinks and, of course - buy stuff. Airlines are looking for new ways to boost on-board advertising revenue, the manufacturer says. If you want to turn off, the screens can be 'dimmed' so you can see the clouds through tinted glass.  Behold, the "Flex Seat". It allows cabin crew to slide rows on a track and adjust the seat pitch by lifting a lever beneath the cushion. This offers changeability in seating layout so airlines can maximize bookings, and fees for more legroom.  Demo video here from the trade show.  Virtual reality by AIM Altitude. Remember when entertainment was a drop-down screen with a moving map display?  This overhead bin by ZodiacAerospace lights green when there is space for more bags. (Yep, plenty of room left here for a thin envelope, folks.)  The FlyersRights® Insider This week's travel-related information tips and suggestions for our readers and members. A must before traveling abroad:  http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-07-26/step-why-the-smart-traveler-enrollment-program This airport launched a new room for autistic fliers:  http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-04-21/this-airport-launched-a-new-room-for-autistic-fliers? How scientists are hacking the body to override jetlag http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-02-09/how-scientists-are-hacking-the-body (The above articles can be viewed by clicking on the link. For more in-depth and up-to-date information on these items, please refer to the source.)  Was this helpful? We're a non-profit! You can get more stories like this in our weekly ad-free newsletter! Click here to sign up.  Thank you for your support!    Getting on a Plane?  Put This Number in Your Phone: 1 (877) Flyers6 1 (877) 359-3776 The FlyersRights HOTLINE! Check out our Facebook  and Twitter page.