As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, airlines around the world have adjusted operational policies to reflect WHO advice and social-distancing guidelines.
Several have unveiled specially-designed PPE, while others such as Denver’s Frontier Airlines are including an adjacent vacant seat as an optional extra.
But West London-based Factorydesign is going one step further, pushing the concept of privacy screens.
The agency, which typically focuses on the luxury aviation sector, has turned its focus to solving the problems of maintaining social distancing in a cabin environment.
Factorydesign’s prototype is able to be transferred from the middle to the aisle armrest; allowing couples and families travelling together to adjust the product accordingly.
Concepts from other designers include the PlanBay, a retrofit model from designer Florian Bajot.
The product features a one-piece protective panel that slides into position over cabin seats, offering additional rear and lateral protection. This design, however, is geared more towards providing a low-cost, temporary stopgap to the social distancing problem.
However, International Air Transport Association director general Alexandre de Juniac reiterated on Tuesday that the organisation does not recommend airlines implement policies requiring middle seat vacancy. Previously stating that doing so would spell the end of cheap travel, this week de Juniac called for airlines to focus on other measures.
“Screening, face coverings and masks are among the many layers of measures that we are recommending. Leaving the middle seat empty, however, is not.”
