Revolutionary Double-Decker Airplane Design Offers Lie-Flat Seats for All Classes

“We believe that new types of travelers will require privacy or will want to pay extra for that as much as they would pay for the ability to sleep.”

When contemplating the future of flying, design firms are getting increasingly creative. As social distancing becomes essential during flights, companies are exploring various solutions, including dividers between seats and unique concepts like the “Glassafe” bubble. However, one firm stands out by offering an inventive idea that not only promotes distancing but also provides economy-class passengers with a chance to lie flat.

Designer Jeffrey O’Neil’s innovative creation, known as the Zephyr Seat, could potentially transform economy travel by introducing a double-decker-style seating arrangement. This design allows two people to share a row, one on top of the other, resembling a bunk bed setup.

“We believe that new types of travelers will require privacy or will want to pay extra for that as much as they would pay for the ability to sleep,” O’Neill shared with CNN Travel.

O’Neill’s seating arrangement requires a two-four-two configuration, which he claims will help airlines maintain passenger numbers while enhancing comfort.

Design Features of the Zephyr Seat

The innovative seats, as reported by Military & Aerospace Electronics, are constructed with limited movable fixtures and the “highest standard lightweight composite materials,” thereby reducing direct maintenance costs for airlines. The upper seats will be equipped with a telescopic ladder for easy access. Each seat also features a drop-down footwell, allowing for enhanced personal space and multiple sleeping positions—ideal for travelers who tend to toss and turn. This configuration might even be spacious enough for parents and small children to lie down together comfortably.

As O’Neill mentioned to CNN, he conceived this concept during a sleepless flight between New York and Singapore several years ago, long before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped air travel.

“I’m on probably the best-rated airline in the world, and I’m getting wonderful service and the food is edible, but I can’t sleep,” he stated. “This is really uncomfortable. Why is it so difficult to find an affordable way to lie flat on a flight that’s 19 hours?”

In 2019, O’Neill first unveiled his concept at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. However, renewed interest has sparked due to the introduction of new social distancing protocols. Moving forward, O’Neill will need to perform essential safety tests, a process that CNN indicates could take up to three years to finalize. Therefore, if you need to fly sooner, consider choosing an airline that blocks middle seats for additional space and, of course, ensure to wear your mask throughout the flight to protect yourself and fellow passengers.