AIM Altitude, a British aviation company has presented an innovative design for airline cabins, introducing a space for passengers to socialize away from the restrictions of their seats, work, and even exercise. They named their vision Ultraflex, which is basically an inflight hub that doubles as a fitness studio, meeting space, grocery store, bar, and restaurant.
Ross Burns, the lead industrial designer of the company thought about these ideas after noticing the growing number of super-long-haul flights. Since exercising after sitting for too long in one place was proven to be very beneficial, he thought of a place for passengers to relax, stretch, and work. He stated:
“Ultraflex is a project that we’ve been working on for about 10 months. At some point you’re going to want to get up stretch your legs, put life back into your legs – but it’s really a destination, a new destination to go to – rather than sitting in your seat for anything from 12-20 hours.”
The design offers a sharing space where passengers can meet and chat with fellow travelers, as well as grab a bite at the deli galley or have a drink at the bar. Or for more private people, the private booths they propose might be more appealing, as well as a special place where they can stretch their legs and even do yoga, or get some work done on individual desks.
The concept was presented at this year’s Airline Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, and attracted quite a lot of interest, as well as being shortlisted for one of this year’s Crystal Cabin Awards. Burns also said:
“That’s the kind of conversations that we’re having with the airlines. These take up a reasonable amount of real estate, probably the same as a business class seat. So there’s pros and cons – but with the idea of wellbeing, fitness, a point of difference within each airline… It’s one of those calls that they would make whether it would be worth it or not.”
Source: cnn.com
