Revolutionizing Air Travel with PlanBay: A New Safety Design

As the travel industry navigates the new normal post-coronavirus, airlines are experimenting with different seating arrangements to ensure social distancing. This includes blocking off the middle seat to provide passengers with more room. However, a French aeronautics engineer is taking the concept further with a unique design aimed at enhancing safety and comfort in economy class.

Introducing PlanBay: A Novel Approach to Air Travel Safety

Florian Barjot developed a revolutionary design called PlanBay, which features a removable kit designed to create a physical barrier within a row of seats. This innovative solution utilizes plexiglass or polycarbonate sheets to separate the middle seat, increase the height of the seatbacks, and fill in gaps between seats, thereby allowing some breathing room during epidemic flare-ups and in recovery periods.

Creating a More Comfortable Travel Experience

Barjot recalls, “I remember my wife saying, ‘I don’t want to have someone sneeze behind me!’” Although the design does not create an impenetrable bubble, it significantly reduces the chances of unintentional contact with fellow passengers. He points out, “The pitch for rows is between 30-35 inches, even less with the seatback reclined, but there is still a big difference between a two or three-foot distance and touching a stranger sharing the same armrest.”

Easy Installation for Airlines

The installation of the kit would be straightforward, requiring no extensive modifications. It can be set up in just a few minutes by maintenance personnel as needed. Moreover, to adhere to social-distancing measures, the seats would remain non-reclining, although a lateral headrest could be added for enhanced comfort on long-distance flights.

The Future of Air Travel Safety

With the design now unveiled, the next crucial step involves partnering with an early adopter airline and collaborating with aircraft-interiors suppliers to create a prototype. Barjot explains, “The idea is to adapt to local suppliers or MRO capabilities, utilizing materials that are readily available to minimize production and logistics lead time.”

Importantly, Barjot emphasizes that PlanBay is not intended to be a permanent solution. He acknowledges that maintaining empty middle seats indefinitely is not sustainable. “The concept of a removable kit is practical for temporary sanitary measures or specific geographic areas,” he states, adding that this approach aligns with the airline industry’s vision, as planes operating two-thirds full are not viable long-term.

Learn More About PlanBay

For additional insights into this innovative design for air travel, visit earth-bay.com.

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