Through the years, I have written stories criticizing the airline industry for its nosedive in customer services and accommodations. (here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here). We have often remarked that new designs reducing space, adding “bench seating,” and adding more rows on planes are part of a trend that seems to be pushing passengers to the status of luggage. Indeed, I have often noted that first class is what coach used to be and coach is what the luggage storage used to me. Now it appears to be actually coming true. Zodiac Aerospace, the French aircraft equipment manufacturer, has filed a patent to convert windowless luggage areas into new budget seating. This Harry Potter space will be equipped with cameras showing you what you would see if you were not in a crawl space and had a window.
You will also be able to see the outside with live streaming on your own personal electronic device, including smartphones, laptops and tablets by downloading an application.
To add to the luxury, there is a plan for vending machines for any food and the promise that the space will be quieter — not surprising since you will be traveling in the belly of the plane.
It is all part of the high density, low quality travel that is guiding the industry as a whole. It seems not too distant a prospect when humans will just be put into bins at the counter and stored below for transport.
