Lufthansa is looking into the idea of providing economy-class bunk beds on its long international flights. From the Daily Mail:
Economy-class passengers have had to settle for being packed into tightly regimented reclining seats for extended periods of travel, which have been blamed for causing potentially fatal blood clots known as deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT, in susceptible individuals.
Until now, airlines have been reluctant to introduce fully reclining seats in economy class because they require more space.
This reduces the number of passengers and decreases profit for the carriers.
But by stacking beds one on top of another, the airline can make use of the normally unused space in the cabin above fliers.
Lufthansa revealed computer-generated pictures of its triple-decker bunk beds as part of a customer survey it conducted among selected customers to see if the idea had wings.
A Lufthansa spokesperson said,
“We are going to analyze the results of the survey and then we will decide whether to proceed or not. But the first results have been very positive.” No word yet on how the bunk beds would be adjusted so that passengers could eat their snacks, or what prevents a shower of crumbs and baby powder and god-knows-what-else from landing on the lower bunks, but whatever. We think it’s a cool idea that needs a lot of work. Does a bunk bed flight appeal to you?
Welcome to sardine air: Airline introduces triple bunk beds in economy [Daily Mail]
(Photo:Daily Mail)
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I would totally be on this, especially when I fly across the country or internationally. I hate sitting for long periods of time as it is, and I’d be a lot more comfortable laying down.
Hmmm.
I saw the picture and all I could think of were vignettes from two movies — ‘Coma’ or ‘Holocaust’. I mean look at it. It looks like something right out of the camps. I could imagine that once you got snuggled in the camp guard, er stewardess, would come along and gas you with some sort of knockout emission.
Think of the uplift charges they could apply. Oh, steel wire hard on the back? A mattress is $5 extra. Oh, want sheets, that’s $4. Pillow? $2. Chocolate and a turn down — priceless.
Interesting that Lufthansa is the one suggesting this, if you get my parallel. Think I will pass.
@thirdgen: Yeah I can tell you from experiance I was flown out of Saudi Arabia on a Nightingale flight which was a DC-9 on a stretcher, If I hadn’t been so heavily sedated I would have totally been sick on takeoff and turbulance….killer when your laying down. I think its a good idea but needs serious work. @JohnMc: nice… they can have “flying makes you free” over the hatch.
@JohnMc:
Actually the Holocaust was a genocide against Jews and other groups spurred by Hitler. The German air force also conducted medical experiments while keeping political prisoners in deplorable conditions while propandizing it to the press.
This discussion is about a potential option for in flight sleeping on long haul flights utilizing triple bunk beds on the lower portion of an aircraft.
I don’t believe the flight crew would have any incentive to kill you. Also these are most likely international flights, hence the U.N. would probably get involved should passengers wind up dead of missing upon landing in other countries.
@thirdgen: I did a few of those mock trauma patient on C-130′s in my days w/ CAP as well. Definitely cramped and at times very uneasy (turbulence, takeoff, etc), but could work if you’re a heavy sleeper and/or drugged up and out of it. Probably not for me.
For those who didn’t RTFA, the section of the article I pasted down below pretty much addresses most of the concerns commented on so far. That being said, on a night flight I would *totally* do this. I’ve flown transatlantically in coach my whole life, and this would rock.
Lie-flat (though small) bed + Ambien CR = well-rested upon arrival and no boredom
From the article:
“The bunk beds would be transformed from seats after take off and would cost around £120 more than a flexible economy fare.
They would be linked to the flight entertainment system but would be unlikely to include a meal service, other than a light snack and bottled water from the buffet, because passengers booking them would be anxious to get their heads down to sleep as quickly as possible.
The bunk beds would have to be approved by the international safety authorities, who would consider ease of evacuation in an emergency.”
Those of you who are worried about farts, must never have shared a seat next to a “stereotypical” European who does not believe in frequent bathing. A fart would be a breath of fresh air!
Funny stuff aside, I would be booking all my flights to Europe on Lufthansa. I already book most of them with Lufthansa anyway, as their economy section is better than anything else I’ve flown.
I don’t mind Europe, I just mind getting there. I can’t sleep in a seat that is only 15 inches wide, and my legs cramp. I THINK I could probably handle laying down for the majority of the flight – it sure has to be better than sitting on your a$$ with no elbow room for 10 hours.
Video Ipods are a must for an international traveler who wants to watch movies because the inflight movies suck. As long as there is a power plug to charge your Ipod, I could deal with this AND probably get some sleep. I certainly think this is worth mocking up and trying out. I think it would catch on.
The girlfriend aint gonna be happy if I flew on those things and there was a chick next to me.
Put some curtains on them so I can have some privacy, and I’m all over it.
@thirdgen: The picture does say “converted after takeoff” at least. That doesn’t work with cases where you have to lie flat for takeoff, but if at all possible I’m sure this will be addressed.
Plus, 747s do have a lot more windows than a C-130 (and I know exactly how C-130s are laid out).
Your problem was that your ears swore you were moving but your eyes said you were not. Instant airsickness. I think some Dramamine before boarding would have helped you.
it looks vaguely like one of those old slave ships.
but it seems like a good idea. it’s gotta be more comfortable than those stupid coach seats.
I don’t know – I find air travel so unpleasant how it is now I can’t imagine anything could really make it that much worse. I think being able to sleep comfortably could be really good – I can never figure out how people sleep in planes at all, it’s so fucking uncomfortable. Of course the fact that flying terrifies me probably also has something to do with my inability to sleep on flights.
An Army barracks with wings.
my claustrophobia kicked in just looking at that picture.
UGH.
@Smackdown:
Oh god…that gave me a horrifying thought.
It’s bad enough being crammed between two hugely fat people on a flight (NEVER AGAIN. YOU CAN BUY TWO FUCKING SEATS, YOU CANNOT USE PART OF MINE!)
What if you’re under one? It might not be as uncomfortable, but it could be frightening. I mean how strong are these bunks? Would they bend or creak under 450 pounds of flab?
Also, I think in a crash I’d want to be in the center row. I mean, I’d rather take the impact feet first than taking it in the ribs.
Wouldn’t this be like flying coffins?
On the other hand, it might make joining the Mile High Club easier.
It could be like that scene in 5th Element where they just make you lay down and then knock you out for the trip, so you’re well-rested when you get there, plus you’ll never know it if you crash.
How likely is the airline to accommodate a 6’5″ traveler like me? I foresee flying in the fetal position.
Maybe it’s morbid and/or insensitive of me to say this, but I’d be more than humored to see an Overeater’s Anonymous convention take up a good portion of this section, while having them hog up all the snacks at what I’d assume would (of some reason in my head) a snack machine, complete with soda vendor…
…maybe then would I take full use of the alcohol onboard…
@Pelagius:
I agree. I would never go for this. Plus, you know that the bed and pillows aren’t going to be cleaned and disinfected between flights. Nasty. Nasty. Nasty. *Shudders*
@JohnMc: Actually, I was thinking “slave ship”. Hopefully they won’t tie you to your bed (or leave the seatbelt sign lit the entire flight) and make you lie in your own excrement. Well, maybe only on Northwest…
@Musician78:
And how is a bed that isn’t disinfected different than a seat that isn’t disinfected exactly? I’m sure they’d use the same type of material they use for seats. If you’re afraid of the pillows, bring your own. The pillows they USED to give out on planes weren’t clean either.
Besides, germs/bacteria don’t survive long on soft surfaces. They prefer hard surfaces.
I would love this for any flight longer than 3 or so hours. Does Luftansa have more info about this (aka: food and takeoff?)
I’d pay extra for this option.
What do you do with the people who are so acrophobic, even small heights (under five feet) are enough to cause nervousness if not outright panic? What about when there are only top-bunk “seats” left?