An English design company has created a business seat for narrowbody planes as more airlines fly them across the Atlantic meet ACCESS
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat.Factorydesign
- English company Factorydesign has created an innovative business class seat for narrowbody planes.
- The lounger, known as ACCESS, allows passengers to walk directly from the window seat to the aisle.
Narrowbody jets are becoming popular for transatlantic travel, with airlines recognizing the cost advantage of flying smaller, more fuel-efficient planes between low-demand city pairs.
Airbus A321neo. Airbus
Carriers like JetBlue and United already fly single-aisle jets, like the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 MAX, between the US and Europe, offering both economy and business class products onboard.
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Because these flights are long-haul, there is an expectation from deep-pocket travelers for comfortable premium seats with amenities seen on many widebody jets, like direct aisle access.
British Airways Club Suite British Airways
There is one problem though — the fuselage on the A321s and MAXs is slim, offering less room for business class seats.
flydubai Boeing 737 MAX business class seats. flydubai
This forces airlines to have to choose between forgoing direct-aisle access for a 2x2 configuration, like Singapore Airlines' new Boeing 737 MAX business class seat…
Singapore Airlines 737 MAX business class cabin Singapore Airlines
…or configuring the cabin in a 1x1 configuration with direct-aisle access, like JetBlue's A321LR Mint seats. However, this option reduces the number of business class seats available, and, in turn, the number of high-revenue passengers.
Flying JetBlue Airways from London to New York in Mint business class. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Recognizing the need for a product that can be installed in a 2x2 configuration and offer direct-aisle access, English design company Factorydesign has created a solution.
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
Appropriately named ACCESS, the company's design is a 47-inch reclining seat that has aisle access for all travelers.
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
The company achieves this by leaving a space between the two loungers so window passengers can walk to the aisle via a fixed path that goes behind the adjacent seat.
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
According to Factorydesign, the product prioritizes cabin density by creating a deep recline instead of making the seats lie flat, offering 25% more capacity than a 1x1 configuration.
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign, Runway Girl Network
"There is a strong opinion in the industry that long-haul single-aisle aircraft will be a significant growth area," the company said on its website. "There is also increasing interest in these aircraft in response to the impact of the pandemic, due to the increased flexibility and route efficiency they can offer."
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
ACCESS offers a large tray table located in front of the passenger...
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
...and extra storage space on the right of the window seat.
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
Moreover, it also has a fixed-back "lazy-Z" recline, which occurs within a shell so passengers will not lean the chair into the person behind them.
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
Airlines can fit 40 ACCESS seats on an A321LR cabin if the pitch is 47 inches. The number of seats can be upped to 44 with a 44-inch pitch, or 48 with a 40-inch pitch.
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
The company's 40-inch variant is known as ACCESS-HD and was created after feedback from airlines revealed they wanted an even higher-density seat.
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
Unlike the original ACCESS, the HD version offers in-arm tray tables...
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
...and a fixed-back recline that places the window seat facing straight forward, rather than slanted. According to Factorydesign, this orientation gives an "increased feeling of passenger separation between window and aisle side."
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
Meanwhile, both variants have the option of adding privacy panels between the seats...
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
...a close-out door between the loungers and aisle...
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
...or a large center console in between the seats to close off the gap, which may be preferred for couples traveling together.
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
Other features of the ACCESS and ACCESS-HD loungers include optional TV screens...
Factorydesign ACCESS business class seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
...large armrests that can also be used for snacks, drinks, or cocktails...
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
...and extra storage under the armrests.
Factorydesign ACCESS seat. Factorydesign
ACCESS is not Factorydesign's first aircraft seat concept. The company is known for its contributions to the airline industry with its popular Vantage seat seen on airlines like Delta Air Lines...
Thompson Aero Vantage XL. Factorydesign
Source: Factorydesign
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