Rear-facing plane seats could be the future of air travel as airlines seek to make flying safer in a post-pandemic world

Thomas PalliniApr 29, 2020, 19:04 IST

Aviointerior's "Janus Seat" for social distancing on airplanes.Aviointeriors

Aviointeriors is shifting away from its density-focused seat products and designing new seat types and add-ons ideal for social distancing.
One seat type offers rear-facing middle seats with barriers on each side while the other offers head-level dividers to curb the spread of germs.
Both seat types allow for airlines to maintain a portion, if not all, of its current capacity levels on aircraft without taking revenue negative measures such as blocking middle seats.
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The novel coronavirus pandemic has soured consumer confidence in travel for countless reasons, whether it be the fear of a second wave or being stranded in another country.

Air travel, in particular, has suffered in part because of the fears associated with flying on an airplane with potentially hundreds of strangers.

Despite the new cleaning procedures being implemented by airlines, the contactless ways that passengers can navigate through busy airport terminals, and tips from doctors on how to stay healthy when flying, airline industry experts are still predicting that the demand for travel won't rebound for years to come and some passengers boarding flights are outraged when they find that the flight is full.

One Italian company is envisioning the way forward for airlines by creating social distancing-friendly options for economy class seating. Known for its standing seat product, Aviointeriors is shifting away from designing products that aim to fit as many seats in one aircraft as possible and is now trying to separate passengers as much as possible while maintaining revenue-friendly capacity levels.

Take a look at these two seat designs that just may be the future of aviation as demands for social distancing in the skies grow.

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Experts are saying that airlines won't see 2019 levels of air travel for years to come, so these seats just may be the way airlines get back to where they were and rebuild trust and confidence in aviation as a mode of transportation.

Grounded British Airways jets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty

Experts are saying that airlines won't see 2019 levels of air travel for years to come, so these seats just may be the way airlines get back to where they were and rebuild trust and confidence in aviation as a mode of transportation.

Though not ideal when traveling with a companion, the concept offers enhanced distancing compared to the Glassafe seat as well as an additional modicum of privacy.

Aviointerior's "Janus Seat" for social distancing on airplanes. Aviointeriors

Every middle seat is rear-facing in this configuration with barriers surrounding it as to allow for all three seats to social distance with minimal interruption.

Aviointerior's "Janus Seat" for social distancing on airplanes. Aviointeriors

Another Aviointerior idea to achieve airborne social distancing is the "Janus Seat."

Aviointerior's "Janus Seat" for social distancing on airplanes. Aviointeriors

A similar concept will be introduced by Delta Air Lines in the first-class cabins of its Airbus A321neo aircraft, though the intention is to provide more privacy and not protect from germs.

Future Delta Air Lines Airbus A321neo first class seats. Crystal Cabin Award

A similar concept will be introduced by Delta Air Lines in the first-class cabins of its Airbus A321neo aircraft, though the intention is to provide more privacy and not protect from germs.

The barriers can also be installed on aircraft seats currently found on airliners for an easy installation process.

Aviointerior's "Glassafe" social distancing seat. Aviointeriors

The divider acts as a barrier to personal germs while also allowing airlines to maintain their current configurations while blocking some seat-to-seat germ transmission.

Aviointerior's "Glassafe" social distancing seat. Aviointeriors

The divider acts as a barrier to personal germs while also allowing airlines to maintain their current configurations while blocking some seat-to-seat germ transmission.

The design keeps the current configuration of seats with no blocked seats or physical separations beyond the armrest but includes a head-level divider.

Aviointerior's "Glassafe" social distancing seat. Aviointeriors

One idea envisioned by the firm to achieve social distancing in the skies is the "Glassafe" seat.

Aviointerior's "Glassafe" social distancing seat. Aviointeriors

So while the Italian aircraft seat designer was once imagining unique ways of fitting as many passengers as possible in an aircraft, including through the use of standing seats, it's now focusing on how to achieve social distancing as airlines prepare for the post-pandemic world.

Aviointerior's "Skyrider" standing seat. Aviointeriors

So while the Italian aircraft seat designer was once imagining unique ways of fitting as many passengers as possible in an aircraft, including through the use of standing seats, it's now focusing on how to achieve social distancing as airlines prepare for the post-pandemic world.

One easy solution offered by the masses would be to block off middle seats in economy to offer some distance between passengers but the airlines would lose out on millions in revenue.

A blocked off middle seat on a British Airways jet. Rachel Hosie/Business Insider

One easy solution offered by the masses would be to block off middle seats in economy to offer some distance between passengers but the airlines would lose out on millions in revenue.

Economy cabins are the most vulnerable as they feature the highest density of seats, especially as seats in business class and first class cabins become more private and exclusive.

A United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner interior. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Economy cabins are the most vulnerable as they feature the highest density of seats, especially as seats in business class and first class cabins become more private and exclusive.

But as airlines begin consolidating flights on the few remaining routes still intact in a desperate attempt to preserve cash flow, aircraft are once again beginning to look like this, reigniting fears of traveling.

An American Airlines aircraft in April 2020. Association of Flight Attendants

But as airlines begin consolidating flights on the few remaining routes still intact in a desperate attempt to preserve cash flow, aircraft are once again beginning to look like this, reigniting fears of traveling.

With air travel associated with a spread of the novel coronavirus, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in flyers, leaving airplanes looking like this from mid-March into April.

A United Airlines Boeing 777-200 aircraft. Zach Sheinman

With air travel associated with a spread of the novel coronavirus, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in flyers, leaving airplanes looking like this from mid-March into April.

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Rear-facing plane seats could be the future of air travel as airlines seek to make flying safer in a post-pandemic world

Experts are saying that airlines won't see 2019 levels of air travel for years to come, so these seats just may be the way airlines get back to where they were and rebuild trust and confidence in aviation as a mode of transportation.

Though not ideal when traveling with a companion, the concept offers enhanced distancing compared to the Glassafe seat as well as an additional modicum of privacy.

Every middle seat is rear-facing in this configuration with barriers surrounding it as to allow for all three seats to social distance with minimal interruption.

Another Aviointerior idea to achieve airborne social distancing is the "Janus Seat."

A similar concept will be introduced by Delta Air Lines in the first-class cabins of its Airbus A321neo aircraft, though the intention is to provide more privacy and not protect from germs.

The barriers can also be installed on aircraft seats currently found on airliners for an easy installation process.

The divider acts as a barrier to personal germs while also allowing airlines to maintain their current configurations while blocking some seat-to-seat germ transmission.

The design keeps the current configuration of seats with no blocked seats or physical separations beyond the armrest but includes a head-level divider.

One idea envisioned by the firm to achieve social distancing in the skies is the "Glassafe" seat.

So while the Italian aircraft seat designer was once imagining unique ways of fitting as many passengers as possible in an aircraft, including through the use of standing seats, it's now focusing on how to achieve social distancing as airlines prepare for the post-pandemic world.

One easy solution offered by the masses would be to block off middle seats in economy to offer some distance between passengers but the airlines would lose out on millions in revenue.

Economy cabins are the most vulnerable as they feature the highest density of seats, especially as seats in business class and first class cabins become more private and exclusive.

But as airlines begin consolidating flights on the few remaining routes still intact in a desperate attempt to preserve cash flow, aircraft are once again beginning to look like this, reigniting fears of traveling.

With air travel associated with a spread of the novel coronavirus, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in flyers, leaving airplanes looking like this from mid-March into April.