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Move by LAYER and Airbus Aims to Improve the Horrible Economy Class Flight Experience

Designed for economy class (not business class), this concept is really for the people

By Emily Suzuki - February 21, 2019

in Furniture Design | Strategy & Research

Benjamin Hubert of LAYER recently collaborated with Airbus to redesign economy class airline seating, and after flying from NYC to Portland on a very uncomfortable Alaska Airlines flight (at least Delta loads you up on cookies to numb the pain), all I have to say is: finally. Move is an app and seating prototype that gives passengers more control of their flight experience and encourages them to move throughout the flight. So in true traveling fashion, let's unpack the details.

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The seating itself is consists of a lightweight perforated frame made from aircraft grade aluminum and carbon fiber that reduces the on-board weight of the aircraft. On top of the frame rests a one piece digitally knitted polyester wool blend sling that includes integrated conductive yarn within the knit.

The knit seat cover features zones of various density that offer customized levels of support to the body and automatically adjust throughout the flight based on weight and movement. This is made possible by passing current through the conductive yarn to vary the seat tension.

Passengers can also turn to the accompanying Move App, which when connected with the smart textiles is what gives passengers control over factors we often relinquish to the Airline Gods–like seat tension, temperature, pressure and movement. Passengers can also select presets like "massage", "mealtime", or "sleep".

Airline Gods: I promise I'll stop kicking the seat in front of me if you give my next three-hour domestic flight massage functions.

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According to LAYER, each passenger's data is monitored through the smart textiles and then analyzed by the Move App, which then "sends targeted messages to the passenger encouraging them to move in order to improve comfort. These messages include prompts to get up and move around the cabin to improve circulation, when and how to do in-seat stretches, and reminders to stay hydrated to regulate temperature."

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On a more design minutiae note, other issues the Move system addresses include:

A fixed seating position, which addresses a lack of legroom range caused by passengers unnecessarily reclining on shorter flights. Why recline when you can control the tension of your seat and understand how to attain inflight bliss through an app?

The digitally knitted seat cover reduces the amount of less-sustainable foam materials and increases the ability of airlines to easily change or update color or pattern, as well as wash the material during cabin changeover. This is actually a pretty big deal, considering my flight the other day had carpet on the walls. I repeat: carpet on the walls.

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The tray table is stowed vertically, is height adjustable and can act as a surface on which to rest while sleeping.

Laptop storage is located between the seats, and The Move app notifies passengers if they have left a device in the pocket after landing through pressure sensitive yarn.

The armrests are completely stow-able, offering the option of a bench-like seating if you're, you know, into that.

Next time I take a domestic flight that doesn't include cookies and massage functions, I'm flipping the tray table.

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Mike Cheung

5 years ago

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Still waiting for dual arm rests in the middle with a ridge between them.

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- Latoya Trenā
  
  Mike Cheung
  
  5 years ago
  
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  I created an account just to one up this!
  
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- Emily Suzuki
  
  Mike Cheung
  
  5 years ago
  
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  Amen, Mike.
  
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- kyle wood
  
  Mike Cheung
  
  5 years ago
  
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  Seriously! How has this not been addressed yet?
  
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Michael DiTullo

5 years ago

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Congrats to Ben and the team at Layer. This is great work!

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Sylvian Bryan

5 years ago

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This is a great approach to User-centered design.

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Daniel Erwin

5 years ago

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What about the sense of privacy, and very real noise insulation, that comes with current bulky/foamy seats? Not to mention when someone's kid is behind you with their knees or poking the screen repeatedly?
And how about when I come onboard with my book, just looking forward to a couple hours of peace after the airport speaker system howling at me about the constant threat of terrorism, and then the screen in front of me starts playing ads, and the flight attendant won't shut up about how she wants me to sign up for an airline-backed credit card so she can get her referral bonus? Where's the chair design that will amplify or ensure the best part of the flying experience?

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Eddy Freshman

5 years ago

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Would love to know if it’s any better for tall users. I’m 6’5”

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Dale Mason

5 years ago

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Totally misses the point-let's take it to the next level where is going anyway. Remove the seats and overhead storage for short flights and call it what it is-a bus/subway with wings.

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Robert Wilkey

5 years ago

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Great concept and I hope some of this actually makes its way into production, but as it stands there's a whole lot of vapor here. Beautiful, intelligent, optimistic vapor.

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Sean Horita

5 years ago

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Looks amazing and the interaction flow (on layer website) is really clean. I'd love to see an indication of how the cleaning process for the mesh would take place though. Passengers get airsick on the next empty seat, or a kid spills their tomato juice - this is the reality of commercial air travel. Do they plan to steam clean every seat? Or remove the mesh from the frame on every flight?

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