How flying might look different in the future

Sophie-Claire HoellerAug 8, 2020, 18:02 IST

A reversible middle seat means airlines can maintain their passenger capacity.Avio Interiors

The coronavirus has caused a significant drop in air travel.
Despite masks being mandatory on most major airlines, and sanitation and hygiene practices being stepped up, designers have come up with their own ways to ensure safer air travel.
One 3D-printed product from design firm Teague would attach to the vents above seats to push passengers' breath down, described on its company's website as "an invisible germ isolation unit."
Another design firm, Haeco, sees a future in which passengers share the airplane cabin with cargo, allowing for more space between people.

The coronavirus pandemic has already changed air travel. Wearing masks is now required by most major airlines, and no one will blink an eye should you frantically sanitize every nearby surface.

Some travel experts predict that airlines will hire in-flight janitors and create a social distance-friendly new class.

Design firms are also getting creative when it comes to travel, and are coming up with innovative concepts for designs that could change air travel significantly.

Double-decker plane seats could allow economy passengers to lie flat and socially distance.

This design allows for more privacy, without cutting passenger numbers. Zephyr Aerospace

Design firm Haeco sees a future in which passengers share the airplane cabin with cargo, allowing for more social distance.

The demand for cargo capacity has increased during the pandemic. Haeco Aero

The Janus design from Avio Interiors reverses the middle seat in each row of three and includes transparent dividers that shield passengers from one another.

A reversible middle seat means airlines can maintain their passenger capacity. Avio Interiors

The Glassafe would act like a transparent cheese bell of sorts, draped over existing seats to cocoon passengers and shield them from others.

These shields would minimize the probability of contamination via aerosols. Avio Interiors

The 3D-printed AirShield would attach to the vents above seats and push passengers' breath down to slow the spread of viruses.

The company describes it on its website as "an invisible germ isolation unit." Teague

This seat design similarly separates passengers from one another, but also blocks off the middle seat for more distance between passengers.

The Interspace Lite seats were originally designed to make sleeping more comfortable. Universal Movement

This removable shield for middle seats is designed to protect passengers from aerosols from both behind and neighboring seats, and helps maintain social distance.

Blocking the middle seat helps maintain social distance. Earth Bay

AeroGlass is a screen that can be fitted between seats, protecting passengers from airborne particles much as face shields do.

AeroGlass is made with extra thin and strong laminated glass. Aviation Glass & Technology

This custom yacht comes with bulletproof windows and an interior swanky enough to warrant them — take a closer look

Cookies on the Business Insider India website