Boeing patents sit 12-across in business class

It used to be that airlines were happy to put the squeeze on economy travellers while lavishing space on those in the business area of the cabin.

A Boeing plane could have 12-across in business class seating according to a new patent just filed in the US Image by Kentaro IEMOTO / CC BY-SA 2.0

But not anymore if giant airplane manufacturer Boeing gets the all clear with a new US patent just filed. In it, the plane-maker wants to stack a dozen travellers into one row across future aircraft, in four clusters of three.

Airbus model of its new eleven-seater formation for flights. Image by Courtesy of Airbus

The radical ‘high-density’ design is a new concept that would see the configuration of the plane with three aisles instead of two as in modern jets such as the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner. Airbus previously unveiled a possible model which would have eleven seater formation.

Australian Business Traveller reports that the blueprint would admit huge numbers into the business-class section. However, countering suggestions of lost space in the new arrangement, Boeing insists the seats would be able to convert into a lie-flat bed, though it would only be possible to sleep on one’s side in the new configuration. And according to the plans for the new patent, it would also be much harder, having occupied a seat, to get aisle access.

Although such a grand design could soon become operable, it is doubtful that airlines would succeed in charging the high premium for such cramped business class seats that they currently apply because of the perceived luxury to travelling in that part of the cabin.

Under the application, the company describes the design as an attempt to maximize seat density.