Increase the Airline Seat Comfort and Revenue via Track-based Elevated Seat

Abstract

The present invention provides airlines with the track-based elevated seat arrangement for an improved passenger comfort and hence improved revenue. In our track-based elevated seat arrangement design, the multiple seating configurations and mixed class are proposed in a given cabin class of a passenger airplane. It effectively uses the vertical space of the given interior space of the given cabin class and can bring a new level of comfort and fresh flying experience to the passengers in that cabin class.

Claims

1. An aircraft seating arrangement is designed as one using track-based elevated seat that is placed in any position of any row of seats, wherein the track-based elevated seat is positioned higher than its adjacent seat(s).

2. The plurality of aircraft seats arrangement of claim 1 wherein the track-based elevated seats are mounted in any location and number in a given cabin.

3. The plurality of aircraft seats arrangement of claim 1 wherein the track-based elevated seats are elevated above the adjacent seats in the vertical range of ten to forty inches. The armrest of the elevated seat is optional in its height adjustment.

4. The plurality of aircraft seats arrangement of claim 1 wherein the track-based elevated seats pitch are increased in the range of three to ten inches from the original pitch of the given row in a given cabin class.

5. The plurality of aircraft seats arrangement of claim 1 wherein the linear distance from head to toe of the passenger on the track-based elevated seat is up to seventy-one inches while passenger on the seat is in the reclined mode.

6. The aircraft seats arrangement of claim 1 wherein our Maglev module is assembled into the track-based elevated seat and passengers can have safe and modest on-board exercise using it to relax and refresh.

7. Where the plurality of the maglev module of claim 6 is incorporated into the track-based elevated seats and accessible to passengers around it.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present disclosure describes aircraft cabin with various seating arrangement. For example, Boeing 787 has an economy class passenger cabin with a 3-3-3 seat-row arrangement, with three left outboard seats, three seats between the aisles and three right outboard seats. In our case of the improved economy class, there are originally 63 seats in the configuration of 7 rows and each row with a 3-3-3 seat per row arrangement. The original pitch between the rows is 36 inches. In the complicated case of one row seating arrangement, the left and right seats stay in the same position and occupy the same space. For our track-based elevated seat arrangement, the revised seat pitch for the elevated seat b is increased to 41 inches while its adjacent seats remain in original pitch configuration. Based on track-based elevated seat arrangement, the revised seating capacity is reduced to 58 with 38 regular seats and 20 elevated seats. With this new seating arrangement, all passengers will enjoy more space and comfort even for those in the regular seats of each row. This becomes possible because that the elevated seat frees up the vertical space in the seating area and hence the armrests of the adjacent seats are separated from each other which yields more elbow room for each passenger.

[0012] Assuming that each business class seat takes up the space of three regular seats, in the same space of improved economy class, only twenty-one business class seats can be arranged. However, for the same class using our seat arrangement, 20 track-based elevated seats and 38 regular seats can be accommodated to provide maximum comfort to all passengers in this class. This adds flexibility to airlines in setting up a new mixed class of seating arrangement, i.e., improved economy class via on track-based elevated seat arrangement.

[0013] Here, we like to make a simple calculation to illustrate the revenue advantage of this new seat arrangement:

[0014] For the regular seat, its fare is $1C/seat, so the original seat arrangement in the improved economy class will generate the total revenue: $1C/seat63 seats=$63C.

[0015] After adoption of our track-based elevated seat, each seat can provide more space and comfort, which hence generate more revenue, say, the fare for the regular seat will be increased slightly by 10%, the subtotal revenue generated by the 38 regular seats in this class is:

$1C/seat110%38 seats=$41.8C

[0016] Meanwhile, the fare for the luxury elevated seat is increased modestly by 80% (for reference, the fare of the business class seat is easily 4 times or higher than that of the economy class on long-haul international flight).

[0017] The subtotal revenue generated by the 20 elevated seats in this class is:

$1C/seat180%20 seats=$36C

[0018] So, the total revenue generated by all seats in this improved economy class is:

$41.8C+$36C=$77.8C

[0019] Compared with the original total revenue of $63C, there is a significant revenue improvement of 23.5%. That is only for one cabin class, i.e., improved economy class. Therefore the improved airline revenue using to the optimal seating arrangement via track-based elevated seat is an important factor for airlines to consider about.

[0020] FIG. 1a shows the overall view of our new seating arrangement via track-based elevated seat in improved economy class. In FIG. 1b, the three left and right outboard seats stay in the same position and occupy in the same seat space and arrangement, the three area seats are staggered with left and right side seats. There is enough space between different seats in the same row. Passengers can easily move in and out of their seats even during an emergency evacuation.

[0021] In FIG. 2, the armrests are arranged between two seats of the same row and the passenger on the seat can adjust its height within the vertical space created by the track-based elevated seat. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the passengers of the regular seats stretching their legs under the space created by the adjacent elevated seat. They can use this extra space for comfort and sometimes even for safe and modest exercise using the maglev module under the elevated seat. FIG. 5 shows the track-based elevated seats with an optional foldable foot rest pedal underneath. The passenger sitting behind can recline and stretch his or her foot onto the foot pedal for relaxation and hence better rest during the long-haul flight.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6, the maximum reclined angle of the elevated seat is about 140 degree, while the original seat in this cabin class can only recline a few degrees from the upright position. The extra space created under the elevated seat can also be used for carry-on bag and or other personal items. The armrest of the elevated seat can be adjusted in height, i.e., it can move vertically and lock in position along the side track of the seat back, which provides further freedom for the passengers around it. The elevated seats are also designed with foldable foot pedal and leg rest support which enables passenger to enjoy a relaxed sleep during a long-distance flight. As seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, an elevated seat can be adjusted in position by sliding along the track which is mounted underneath the cabin floor. The track-based elevated is pre-mounted onto a track and can only be adjusted by the airlines. It can be adjusted into the pattern of improved economy class via track-based elevated seat and the normal pattern of 3 seats in a row to meet the different seating capacity requirement of various travel seasons.

[0023] In FIG. 9, passengers on the regular seat can practice safe and modest exercise using multi-functional maglev module (Yao, patent pending) to relieve the travel-related fatigue with. Or they can just stretch their legs onto this multi-functional maglev module for comfort and relaxation. The elevated seats are designed so that passengers can freely move in and out of their seats. During an emergency situation, passengers can quickly move out of the seats by folding the seat back and leg pedal and rest gear.

REFERENCE

[0024] 1. US20150210396, Jan. 28, 2014-Jul. 30, 2015. Airbus Defense and Space GmbH, Seat arrangement, aircraft cabin as well as armrest and seat or seat group for use therein.

[0025] 2. US20120274108 A1, Jun. 29, 2012-Nov. 1, 2012. Jong Jin Kim, Airplane Seat System.

[0026] 3. U.S. Pat. No. 9,359,079 B2, Jul. 10, 2012-Apr. 29, 2014. Frank Matthew Scott, Slider seat for aircraft.

[0027] 4. U.S. Pat. No. 7,022,050 B2, Dec. 3, 2001-Apr. 4, 2006. Mithra M. K. V. Sankrithi, Seating and treadmill exercise device.

[0028] 5. US20060060703 A1, Sep. 22, 2004-Mar. 23, 2006. Fong Luk, Three dimensional seating arrangement to increase seating capacity.

[0029] 6. U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,813 B1, Jan. 10, 2000-Jul. 17, 2001. Newell E Whitcomb, Aircraft seat track anchor fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1a shows an overall view of new seat arrangement via track-based elevated seats in an improved economy class.

[0032] FIG. 1b shows a detailed view of two rows of three-seat arrangement in the new seating arrangement via track-based elevated seats.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a view of passengers of the new seating arrangement via track-based elevated seats putting their elbows on the armrests that are separated from the armrest of the elevated seats, which create vertical space gap.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a view of passengers on the adjacent regular seats extending their legs under the extra space below the elevated seat.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of improved foot space under an elevated seat for the adjacent passenger of regular seat

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a detail view of optional foot rest pedal under an improved elevated seat to be used by the passenger on the behind seat.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a detail view of an elevated seat with the maglev module embedded and the extra storage space under the elevated seat.

[0038] FIG. 7 shows a detail structure of a track-based elevated seat with foldable foot pedal, leg supporting gear and armrest.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the sliding track of the elevated seat.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows passengers exercise using the multi-function maglev module in sitting and standing mode.