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In an effort to make flying in the cheap seats a bit more comfortable, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics have completely redesigned airplane seats giving passengers control over their individual climates. So one day fiddling with a vent might not be the only futile way to get comfy.
Access to fresh air is still one of the key factors to passenger comfort, but instead of a vent that noisily blasts down from above, the next generation seating will feature gentler inlets integrated into the armrests and the back of each seat. And to ensure the artificial breeze isn’t blowing so hard as to dry out the occupant’s skin, the inlets are custom-designed for maximum airflow without feeling, or sounding, like a tornado. The new seats also feature built-in heaters like you’ll find in many cars, coupled with ventilation that pulls moisture away from the body for added comfort. Passengers will even be able to customise the humidity at their seat, without affecting those sitting next to them who might prefer flying in a desert instead of a rain forest.
The whole concept might sound a little over the top, but an uncomfortable passenger can quickly turn into a cantankerous passenger that poses a threat to flight crew or other travellers. But in reality, it’s probably just a feature that airlines wil use to justify fare hikes when this new technology starts appearing on aircraft. Jerks. [Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft]
Blowing around recirculated air isn’t going to solve anything, They need to increase the amount of fresh air coming into the cabin
Only a small amount is recycled air, most of it is new air from outside being taken in.
Oh and some airlines already have climate control for individual seats in some of the upper classes but this would be good for economy.
Actually much more air is recycled ever since the smoking ban on aeroplanes, using external air decreases engine efficiency and thus raises costs. Still it all depends on the airline, BA or Virgin, probably a lot of fresh air. Ryanair = breathing peoples farts.
Not strictly true, there is continuous amount of air flowing in and out of the cabin and yes around half of that air is recirculated but that air is filtered.
Yes, bleed air decreases engine efficiency but it is nessecary unless the airline wants to make the passengers as uncomfortable as possible, meaning no ones going to fly with them. The air conditioning packs are constantly left on unless there is a situation in which the pilot needs to dis
able it for emergency procedures.
When in the air the pilot sets the air conditioning to a “normal” mode (which has standard flow rates as designed by the manufacturer).
You’ll find the air in the cabin while in flight is a lot cleaner then most work places down on the ground.
OK, great. But what the hell is going on in that photo?
They’ve been Tango’d!
Those new-look Hare Krishna burkas are the bees knees…..