If you’ve ever found yourself cramped in an airplane seat, knees jammed against the seat in front of you, then you know the struggle is real. For years, airlines have tried to maximize space without compromising passenger comfort—an impossible balance, it seems. Now, Airbus has unveiled a radical double-decker seating concept, and while it promises more legroom, it also comes with some eyebrow-raising concerns.
The Future of Air Travel: Double-Decker Seating
In collaboration with Chaise Lounge, a Spanish start-up, Airbus is testing a two-level seating arrangement aimed at revolutionizing economy-class travel. Instead of traditional rows where every seat is at the same height, this new design staggers seats on two levels—one at standard height and another positioned above it.
The goal? More legroom, better space utilization, and a fresh approach to in-flight comfort.
But as with any radical innovation, this one has sparked intense debate. While it solves some common complaints, it introduces new ones that have travelers questioning whether this is really the future of flying.
How Does the Double-Decker Seating Work?
At first glance, the double-decker layout seems like a smart use of cabin space. By stacking alternating rows at different heights, designers claim to create:
- More legroom for lower-level passengers since their legs extend into the open space beneath the elevated seat in front.
- More recline for upper-level passengers since there’s no one directly behind them to be affected.
Essentially, this setup could increase capacity without increasing the overall footprint of the cabin. That sounds like a win, right? Well, not so fast.
The Controversial Catch: “Ass-Level” Seating
For every excited traveler eager to stretch their legs, there’s another recoiling at the major downside—the awkward seating height of the lower-tier passengers.
Why? Because if you’re seated on the bottom level, your face aligns directly with the rear end of the passenger in front of you.
And the internet wasted no time roasting this design:
- “What if the passenger in front of you farts? That’s a direct shot,” one person joked.
- “A BIG no for me! I don’t want to be seated at the person in front of me’s ‘ass level’ for a 16-hour flight,” another said.
- “With my luck, the guy above me ate a can of beans for breakfast,” another quipped.
While airlines constantly tweak economy-class layouts to squeeze in more passengers, this particular idea has left many travelers wondering if it’s a step forward or a disaster in the making.
CEO of Chaise Lounge Defends the Design
Alejandro Núñez Vicente, CEO and founder of Chaise Lounge, is standing by his vision. He firmly believes that the double-decker seat concept could reshape economy-class travel for the better.
In a LinkedIn post, he stated:
“After 4 exciting years pursuing my dream of improving the passenger experience and giving passengers what they truly deserve, today I am very excited to make [this] announcement. It’s the dawn of a new era for commercial aviation, so I hope that you are as excited as we are with this announcement and that soon, you can be crossing the skies in a more comfortable, spacious, and two-level seat.”
But when faced with concerns about gas exposure, Vicente had a blunt response:
“With some common sense and maturity, you should be able to find your answer.”
He further argued that gas doesn’t travel through seat cushions, plastic shells, or fabric seat covers, dismissing the issue as a non-factor.
Would Passengers Actually Accept This?
While innovative seating concepts are nothing new in the airline industry, convincing passengers to embrace this change might be an uphill battle.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of this design:
Pros of Double-Decker Seating:
✅ More legroom – Lower-tier passengers get extra space under the elevated seats.
✅ Better reclining options – Upper-tier passengers don’t have to worry about disturbing anyone.
✅ Potential for increased passenger capacity – Airlines could fit more travelers without expanding the plane.
Cons of Double-Decker Seating:
❌ “Face-to-butt” positioning – Lower-tier passengers sit directly behind the seat of the person in front.
❌ No recline for lower-tier passengers – While those above can recline, those below lose that privilege.
❌ Possible claustrophobia concerns – Enclosed seating might make passengers feel trapped.
❌ Awkward boarding and deplaning – The logistics of entering and exiting seats could be a nightmare.
Clearly, this design has promise, but it’s also riddled with potential drawbacks that might make it a hard sell for airlines and passengers alike.
An overview of the new double decked economy class concept seat
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) June 4, 2024
[📹 Aircraft Interiors Expo]pic.twitter.com/lKRtGBaCTV
The Bigger Picture: The Future of Airplane Seating
With rising travel demand and increasing fuel costs, airlines are constantly searching for ways to maximize efficiency while keeping fares low.
Some past seating ideas that stirred controversy include:
- Standing seats – Proposed designs where passengers essentially lean against a high-backed support.
- Herringbone configurations – Angled seating arrangements to fit more passengers.
- Windowless planes – Concepts replacing windows with digital screens to save weight.
In this evolving landscape, double-decker economy seating is just the latest bold idea. Whether it will succeed depends on passenger feedback, safety regulations, and airline adoption.
Final Thoughts: Is the Double-Decker Seat a Hit or a Miss?
Innovation in air travel is always welcome, but not every idea is a winner. The double-decker plane seat concept offers more legroom and better space efficiency, but the awkward seating height for lower-tier passengers could make it a hard sell.
If Airbus and Chaise Lounge can tweak the design to resolve comfort concerns, this could be the next big evolution in economy seating. But for now, passengers are more focused on where their face will be positioned than how much extra legroom they might gain.
Would you be willing to try the double-decker plane seat on your next flight? Or does the thought of being seated at “butt level” for hours make you want to stick with traditional seating? Either way, this concept has certainly got travelers talking!
