(RNN) – If a proposed design ever takes off, passengers on some short flights won’t have to worry about putting their tray tables back up.
The application from French aircraft manufacturer Airbus, titled
Seating device comprising a forward-foldable backrest, consists of hinged seats similar to bicycle seats, along with a backrest.
The retractable seats include an armrest that also can retract when not in use.
Passengers in such a cabin configuration would spend the flight in an upright position, similar to riding on a standard bike, according to the schematics.
In its application with the the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Airbus Operations stated the design was meant for low-cost airlines “more particularly on short-haul links, in order to maximize the return on the use of the aircraft” by reducing the bulk of the seats and increasing the number of seats possible.
As for the loss of comfort for passengers, “this reduced comfort remains tolerable for the passengers in as much as the flight lasts only one or a few hours.”
The design was invented by Bernard Guering on behalf of Airbus, as detailed in the application published June 12.
A spokesman for Airbus noted it files several hundred patents "on a multitude of innovative concepts and designs" each year.
"However, not all of these ideas, new designs and technologies become final products; we do this to guard our team’s research efforts, and should the future of commercial aviation makes one of our patents relevant, then our work is protected," Airbus stated.
It was more than conceptual when Irish budget airline Ryanair proposed test flights for standing-room-only cabins in 2010, according to the
Guardian, but regulators shot that plan down. Ryanair was considering offering the economy seating for as low as 1 British pound.
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Passengers in such a cabin configuration would spend the flight in an upright position, similar to riding on a standard bike. (Source: MGN photos)
