New design for middle seat on plane

I'll pass...……..

watch the airlines charge extra for that little bit of comfort

I wonder if they would need to re-certify the planes for emergency exit times.
The middle seat in that configuration blocks a direct path of the window seat passenger to the aisle.

Even under normal circumstances I would not be surprised of banged knees going in and out.

Where are they stealing the extra width being given to the middle seat? Making the aisles even narrower?

No recline.. Well that should make some of you happy!

Unless flight was less than 4-5 hours no way would I book with no recline !
I do like the idea of staggering the seats a bit - but others have noted several good points regarding safety and accessibility.

I don't see why the access to the window seat would be worse?

That armrest looks anything but comfortable. Also, 2 people flying together sometimes book the window & aisle rather than choosing one plus the middle. With a recessed middle seat, that may encourage more interaction between the two, making it more miserable for the poor schlub in the middle.

I also wonder whether that recessed seat one has to climb around to get in/out of the window seat makes emergency evacuation slower.

2 people flying together sometimes book the window & aisle rather than choosing one plus the middle.

Curious- why do some do this?

Where are they stealing the extra width being given to the middle seat?

Presumably from the two side seats, which is not good.

@roubrat, we used to book this way gambling on the middle seat being vacant. That way we'd have the whole row - middle seats being the last to sell. If someone did take that middle seat, we'd offer them the window or aisle seat so we's stay together.

Having a slightly offset middle seat will not affect emergency access from the standard seating. They may need to slightly widen the emergency exit row as there is likely a minimum width for those.

My impression is that the seat frames are improved and less bulky, hence the extra width. The aisle widths are already fixed.

I'm not convinced about the offset armrests. I would imagine everyone using the same armrest will mean physical contact. Most people don't want to be in physical contact with the stranger sitting next to them. I'd worry that with the middle seat pushed back, the aisle and window passengers will feel even more compelled to hog the middle armrests. Honestly, the middle seat armrests should be designated for that seat since the aisle and window seats both get an exclusive armrest and have the bonus of either a window or aisle.

Another thought - took me a while since I'm a solo traveler. If a couple sit next to each other, one's in the middle seat - is that awkward for them? On longhaul and red-eye flights, one is often resting head or legs on the other. It also means that you can no long stretch across a 3-seater either.

It also means that you can no long stretch across a 3-seater either.

I have not been on a flight this century that would have had that many empty seats in one place

I have not been on a flight this century that would have had that many empty seats in one place

I have, once--last October, Toronto-Brussels on Brussels Airlines. As a bonus, it was a 4-seat center section on an A330. Best sleep I've ever gotten in Economy!

I've always wanted to be lucky enough to be able to stretch out on a plane, but it's yet to happen. I'm always on full flights, or at least it feels that way.