Flight or fright?
it seems that windows reduce fuel efficiency and take up too much space.
This patent argues that the cockpit could be moved to the belly or tail of the plane and pilots would sit in a media centre surrounded by organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, projection screens and even laser holographs of the world around the aircraft.
Sell GMBH Patent: Monorail Food Cart
At the moment, we’re all served our food and drink by flight attendants.
But, this idea uses a “monopod” automatic robot on a singular rail which will zoom up and down the aisle of the aircraft to deliver goodies to each seat.
The idea means you’ll no longer have to bash by the large carts while moving between your seat and the loo.
Plus, the cabin crew can focus more on safety than on service and the pod would pop up from below like a dumb waiter, creating more room for seats.
Airbus Patent: In-Flight VR Helmets
All the rage right now, virtual reality helmets let you enter the world of video games and take part using your full body as the joystick.
This patent suggests a helmet on each seat would allow you to dive into immersive worlds for a better entertainment package in-flight.
Plus, it would give you the feeling of greater privacy from fellow passengers too.
Airbus Patent: First Class Interactive System
This idea suggests first-class flyers could be fed information about what they’re looking at outside of the window based on eye tracking technology.
The plane would offer you facts about exactly what you’re staring at through the glass and you could save it to your mobile device through Bluetooth.
Safran Seats GB Ltd Patent: In-Flight Meeting Room
Business travellers generally sit in comfy seats and busily work away on their laptops.
However, this patent suggests adding adaptable modular cabins to first and business class.
This would let you reconfigure the space on the plane into beds or even business meeting rooms with tables and chairs.
British Airways Patent: Herringbone Seating
On the same wavelength is the “herringbone” seating design.
This creates seats
shaped to maximise space so that you can either use the space as a bed or a seat. The seats are wide, not deep, and creators argue that the design weighs less than traditional business class seats, saving fuel for the airline.
Boeing Patent: Foldable Swivel Seats
Another business class seating choice is the swivel seat which reimagines the design of the cabin to create more space in the cabin by our feet. Airlines can choose to either fit more seats into the space or to provide more legroom for passengers.
Plus, the seats can spin and move or unfold into a bed.
Boeing Patent: Upright Sleeping System
Currently, premium economy is the middle ground between being able to lie flat for sleep in business and getting even less space and worse food in economy.
But this patent suggests flight attendants could hand out backpacks that turn into a seated sleeping unit that attaches to the seat.
The machine would hang in front of your chest and has a massage table style spot for your face.
Arms would be slid into a sleeve on the front.
This would create support for the full upper body allowing you to sleep more comfortably.
Zodiac Seats France Patent: Zig-Zag Seating
While standing room only flights haven’t been given the go-ahead, tech companies are still looking to increase the amount of people that can fit on each plane.
This zig-zag idea suggests seats being installed in a special pattern where the middle seat faces those on either side of it.
It allows for more space for passengers’ shoulders and arms, but less for their ankles.