Packing Passengers Face-to Face for Flights

The travelling public is growing accustomed to the fees of checked luggage. Some airlines are charging for drinks, pillows and other amenities. The justification is that the travel industry is struggling. Even as the cost of fuel has decreased, the extra fees have remained.

Now there are proposed aircraft designs that packs the passengers in a face-to-face configuration:

“… The controversial design is intended to save space and money and could see 50 per cent more passengers packed on to each plane.

Howard Guy, director of the UK company Design Q, acknowledges that some people will not be happy with the plan, but says they will be able to pay less for any inconvenience.”

link: Think flying economy is bad now? New aircraft design puts passengers face-to-face in rows for budget travel

The prime directive for the airlines is to increase revenue. It might be possible to decrease ticket costs slightly as the air craft packs more people onto a single flight. These savings might be very temporary. The comfort of the paying passengers becomes secondary.

The passenger will be regarded as cargo that needs to be moved from one point to another. Perhaps some creative design person is working on a standing room section.

Catherine Forsythe