Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:11 pm
Normally when a major news site talks about the "future" of something aviation-related, they're about to present a 10-year-old idea that never gained traction because it's unrealistic (how often has a non-aviation friend sent you that circular runway article?).
In this case, as LAX772LR said, they're talking about building mini apartments on VLAs, as the Middle-Eastern airlines tried to do. Ultimately, I think these layouts didn't catch on worldwide for a number of reasons.
1. They're expensive to fly in. They take up the floor space of 4-6 business class seats, so for it to make economic sense to the airline they need to charge 4-6 times a business class seat price. And business class is around the point of diminishing return where the increase in price beyond that no longer justifies the increase in comfort. For many, a business class seat is perfectly suitable for an 8-10 hour flight and they don't need to pay extra for anything beyond that.
2. It's unnecessary. Most of these flights are 8-12 hours and you don't need that many different places to sit. And the article mentioned "finally, you don't have to eat in the same place you sleep" which, on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, isn't exactly at the base with the rest of the core needs. It's not really a problem anyone has. The seats themselves are already very wide. Eat, go lie-flat and sleep, and before you know it you have 2 hours until landing and you haven't really felt the need to sit on the couch. I could really only see the massive benefit on 15+ hour flights here.
3. It adds work for the cabin crew, who are there more for your safety than comfort. Now they have to make a full bed as opposed to restock a pillow and blanket. The airline has to wash the sheets and towels. A 42-course meal is already a lot to ask of them. They're not hotel maids.
Personally, I don't see them as worth it.