Double-Decker plane seats by Airbus

As if the news about standing-only plane seats wasn’t enough, here comes another that’s bound to send a fresh shockwave through the world of air travel!

Flying high or sitting low: Could this be the future of air travel?

Let’s be honest—just when you think flying can’t get any more bizarre, the airline industry proves you wrong. No sooner had the dust settled on the news of ‘standing seats’ (yes, really, standing!), now Airbus is floating the idea of double-decker seating in economy class. And if you’re picturing bunk beds in the sky, you’re not far off.

So, what’s the deal with this wacky new idea? According to the Daily Mail, it comes from Spanish start-up Chaise Longue, who’ve been working with Airbus to design a cabin where passengers are split between two levels. The top row of seats sits up on a platform, while the bottom row is in the usual spot. In theory, everyone gets a bit more space—no more knees squashed against the seat in front or awkward apologies when you want to recline.

Double-decker plane seats: More legroom or more trouble?

Alejandro Núñez Vicente, the brains behind the concept, says it’s all about making flying more comfortable, and he genuinely believes it’s the start of a “new era” for passengers. He even built his first prototype by hand while studying in London, dreaming of an economy cabin that actually feels, well, a bit less like economy.

The clever bit? If you end up on the upper deck, you can recline to your heart’s content without annoying the person behind you—because there isn’t one. Down below, there’s finally space to stretch your legs, and you might even be able to prop them up a bit if you’re clever. Sounds brilliant on paper, right?

But let’s not kid ourselves—travellers are already having a field day online. The bottom row, in particular, has been (not so affectionately) dubbed the “fart zone,” with plenty of jokes about what happens when the person above lets one slip mid-flight. “Last thing I want is to be trapped under someone’s bum at 30,000 feet,” joked one traveller on social media, while another chimed in, “I’d rather walk to my holiday destination than end up in the fart zone.”

Are Double-decker plane seats spacious or claustrophobic?

There are some upsides. Both levels give you space under your seat for bags, and with overhead lockers gone, the cabin should feel a bit airier. If you like the idea of a bit more privacy, the high seat-backs on the lower deck could make you feel nicely cocooned—or a bit claustrophobic, depending on your mood. The catch is that wherever you sit, you’re trading one comfort for another. Top seat? More chance to recline, but you might feel perched. Bottom seat? More legroom, but your view’s basically someone else’s chair.

Even the designer admits it’s not about scrapping normal seating entirely. He imagines these double-decker seats running down the centre of the cabin, with traditional rows on either side. Airlines like Emirates are apparently curious, too, so this isn’t just a one-off stunt.

Choosing upper or lower seats: The future of double-decker flights?

For now, though, it’s all still in the concept stage. Airbus confirms they’re working on it with Chaise Longue, but don’t expect to see these seats the next time you board a flight to Alicante or Edinburgh. There’s a long way to go before the ‘fart zone’ makes it to the skies.

Still, the whole thing has certainly sparked a conversation—if nothing else, about how desperate people are for a bit of comfort when flying. Maybe that’s why these wild ideas get traction; after years of cramped knees and bruised elbows, who wouldn’t want to dream of something better, even if it comes with a few dodgy jokes?

So, next time you’re struggling to fit your bag in the overhead, just remember: the future of flying might mean you’re stretching out in style… or ducking under someone else’s seat. Whatever happens, you can bet travellers will have plenty to say about it.

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