NZ to offer seat-beds in Economy (at end of 2010?)

[SQ_SIA]

i cant seem to grasp this idea. How can your body fit in 2 economy seats?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10604959

[sabian]

You need to have an ID from Hobbit Town.

Maybe it is not a total lie flat?

[jjpb3]

I'm imagining a seat that is like a loveseat with a tall, slightly reclinable back. It might be more comfortable sleeping with your back diagonally across reclined seatback than sleeping confined to the narrow width of a single seat.

Good on NZ if they offer this option. I think I'd pay the fee just to avoid having a seatmate during very long-haul economy flights.

[SQflyergirl]

150 NZD isn't bad value for what i think it is..... not bad at all

[milehighj]

Selling vacant seats for extra revenue when Y isn't full is actually a really interesting business concept which I hope airlines (and seat manufacturers/designers) will develop over time.

Rather than selling the adjacent seat, it would be great to have redesigned Y seats where the seat in-front can fold in a way in which the space of two rows is accessible. The resulting pitch may not be sufficient to offer full-lie-flat to a 6-footer, but with some intelligent industrial design, I'm certain a comfortable angled-lie-flat space can be created.

Alternatively this could be a business model for combining Y and Y+ in the same cabin, where higher fare paying avails the customer of more seating options.

[Kyo]

Rather than selling the adjacent seat, it would be great to have redesigned Y seats where the seat in-front can fold in a way in which the space of two rows is accessible. The resulting pitch may not be sufficient to offer full-lie-flat to a 6-footer, but with some intelligent industrial design, I'm certain a comfortable angled-lie-flat space can be created.

Alternatively this could be a business model for combining Y and Y+ in the same cabin, where higher fare paying avails the customer of more seating options.

Quick dude, copyright and wait til the royalties come in...

[milehighj]

Patent pending.

[Flyerfly]

Rather than selling the adjacent seat, it would be great to have redesigned Y seats where the seat in-front can fold in a way in which the space of two rows is accessible. The resulting pitch may not be sufficient to offer full-lie-flat to a 6-footer, but with some intelligent industrial design, I'm certain a comfortable angled-lie-flat space can be created.

Good thinking ... but i think this design could only be applied to window seats or middle seats in the middle row (think EF in a 2-4-2). For other seats, the recline will probably block the aisle access.

[sqdazz]

As far as I know NZ already offer a 'buy a vacant seat beside you' option on some of its longhaul flights, cost is around the $100 mark, I think! Obviously its not a lie flat in the current product offering, but do any other airlines have this option available at checkin?

[UMD]

Patent pending.

Too late to patent it now since you have disclosed to the public.

Very smart thinking. I like this idea.

[milehighj]

Alas you can't patent an idea... Only a specific design or method.

[Kiwi]

As far as I know NZ already offer a 'buy a vacant seat beside you' option on some of its longhaul flights, cost is around the $100 mark, I think! Obviously its not a lie flat in the current product offering, but do any other airlines have this option available at checkin?

NZ charges NZ$75 (ex-NZ) or equivalent for blocked adjacent seat in economy. Only available at check in and subject to availability.

I think my recent double op-up was better though

[vincent0720]

only if the seat next to you is empty...
then you can pay 150NZ to seat beds?
sounds like we need a lot of luck.

[jjpb3]

only if the seat next to you is empty...
then you can pay 150NZ to seat beds?
sounds like we need a lot of luck.

The fee isn't meant to replace the revenue from a fare-paying passenger.