The picture does not do justice to the proposal without chicken running under the feet of passengers and luggage tied down on roof racks above the plane.
The view of passengers as inconvenient cargo has been more and more evident as airlines cut every possible luxury and charge for every possible comfort. The new design would be able to stuff 50 percent more passengers into crowded planes by treating them like steamer trunks.
Howard Guy, director of Design Q, admits that “[h]aving passengers face each other is not an ideal situation. But this will see increased revenue for the operator and more economical tickets for the passenger – so by keeping both happy, this concept makes an attractive alternative.” Guy has a rather perverse concept of attractiveness.
He simply notes that “the passenger can choose a flight facing forward in a traditional seating position, but he or she will have to pay more for the luxury.” Oh good, on various airlines, we now have to pay on for bringing our luggage, a modicum of leg space, selecting a seat in advance, drinking a coke, or eating a snack. Now, we will pay additional for the “luxury” of having an actual seat. Next we will be asked to pay for the luxury of a pressurized cabin — after a little ear popping and gasping may be acceptable for some passengers on a budget.
Guy further notes that military personnel have been traveling like this for years and are not complaining. Of course, he fails to mention that those planes are CARGO planes used to ship tanks or troops.
Of course, Design Q cannot take credit for the general idea or design of the new planes:
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