And you thought the standing-only seats were bizarre! Airbus is working on a DOUBLE-DECKER plane seat to give passengers more legroom - but baffled travellers dub the bottom level the 'fart zone'
The news that several budget airlines are set to introduce standing-only seat options rocked the world this week.
The bike-style padded seats allow passengers to lean at an angle without completely sitting down – and could be introduced as early as 2026.
However, the standing-only seats aren't the only bizarre airplane seats to hit the headlines in recent months.
In February, Airbus revealed that it was working with Spanish start-up, Chaise Longue, on a double-decker plane seat.
The concept features one row of seats on a raised platform, followed by one row at a normal level, and so on.
For passengers up top, worrying about the etiquette of reclining will be a thing of the past, with no one directly behind to complain about it.
Meanwhile, bottom passengers would be able to stretch their legs more and even put their legs up slightly, thanks to added space under the chair in front.
However, the idea proved controversial among social media users, with one posting: 'Last thing I want when flying is being stuck in someone's fart zone.'
The dual level concept is courtesy of Alejandro Núñez Vicente, CEO and founder of Chaise Longue, who said his firm is exploring 'early stage concepts' with Airbus.
'After 4 exciting years pursuing my dream of improving the passenger experience and giving passengers what they truly deserve, today I am very excited to make [this] announcement,' Mr Vicente said in a LinkedIn post.
'It's the dawn of a new era for commercial aviation, so I hope that you are as excited as we are with this announcement and that soon, you can be crossing the skies in a more comfortable, spacious and two-level seat.'
The initial images have raised concerns among many travellers about people passing wind in the cabin.
One person on X said: 'The nice thing about this arrangement, is that farts from the higher seats in front of you will hit you right in the mouth so you don't have to wonder where they came from.'
In response, Mr Vicente said: 'With some common sense and maturity you should be able to find your answer.'
He added: 'Gas in general doesn't go through solid objects like seat cushions, seat covers and plastic shells.'
It's unclear when the two parties are aiming to roll the design out to aircraft; MailOnline has contacted them for more information.
One Threads user said: 'Last thing I want when flying is being stuck in someone's fart zone'
An X user said: 'The nice thing about this arrangement, is that farts from the higher seats in front of you will hit you right in the mouth so you don't have to wonder where they came from'
Chaise Longue seating: Key benefits
6ft 2in seat allows you to almost 'lie down' if you're on an upper row
Personal storage space under your own seat
Increased storage under seat for those in bottom row
Greater sense of privacy
Lets airlines fit more seats in a given space
Mr Vicente, who studied industrial engineering at Brunel University of London, started building his first plane seat prototype by hand in 2021 using just a 'bunch of planks'.
Chaise Longue has provided a digital model online of the layout, which lets web users control a Sim-like figure in a mock-up of an aircraft cabin.
According to the concept – which has also piqued the interest of Emirates – passengers would decide whether they were booking top seats or bottom seats.
From the promo images, it seems passengers in the bottom seats would have ample legroom – but less space behind them to recline.
Conversely, the top passengers would have lots of room to stretch back but not quite as much legroom.
However, considering the bottom passenger would have their head directly behind a fellow flyer's backside, the top seats may prove more popular.
What's more, bottom passengers would have the back of someone's chair looming high over them, which could either increase the sense of privacy, or claustrophobia.
Everyone would have space under their own seat to put their baggage – but the bottom row passengers would get a little extra space in front of them too.
Another said 'soon they will be packing us in with the luggage', adding: 'I will NOT fly in a double decker seating arrangement'
Yet another said: 'The day this seating arrangement goes into planes is the day I start travelling only as far as I can drive'
Notably, the design gets rid of the overhead luggage compartments in order to utilize the plane cabin's height as much as possible.
Mr Vicente told CNN he's not on a mission to eradicate normal airplane seating.
Instead, he envisages a cabin where his concept is in the middle, flanked by two rows of traditional airplane seating, but he admitted 'there is still a long development ahead'.
He also said he's thankful Airbus sees 'the true potential of two-level seating', while adding he's 'open for collaboration' with other aviation companies.
Airbus confirmed the collaboration but offered scant further details about the project.
An Airbus spokesperson said: 'Chaise Longue is exploring some early stage concepts with Airbus on two-level seating solutions for Airbus commercial aircraft.'
'Given the nature of this early phase level,' the spokesperson added, Airbus preferred 'not to further comment at this stage'.
No one wants to get stuck sitting in the middle seat while flying.
It offers the least personal space - not to mention the fact it has no window view, limited access to the aisle and only half an armrest to use.
Now, an avid flyer has revealed a genius hack to avoid the dreaded centre seat.
he claimed has a secret hack that 'has a 100 percent perfect record,' which allows people to avoid the dreaded middle seat free of charge.
Travel influencer Jordan Tually said the hack has a '100 per cent perfect record,' allowing people to avoid the middle seat free of charge.
In a video clip, Tually demonstrates how to avoid this while booking a Ryanair flight from Bologna, Italy to Barcelona, Spain online.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Post Office compensation chief steps down after Sir Alan Bates raised 'serious concerns' about schemes
A Post Office boss who backed compensation for Horizon IT scandal victims has left his position as Sir Alan Bates raised 'serious concerns' about schemes. Leader of the Post Office's Remediation Unit, Simon Recaldin, is believed to have opted for voluntary redundancy and left his post this week. It comes as the first part of a public inquiry report into the controversy, analysing the compensation process as well as the affect on victims, is anticipated to be released in the coming weeks. More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts. Hundreds are still waiting for payouts despite the previous government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000. A Post Office spokesperson said yesterday Mr Recaldin's departure was a part of an 'organisational design exercise' across the firm. Now Joanne Hanley, who was previously a managing director and global head of client servicing, data and operations for Lloyds', is understood to have taken up a large portion of the former Post Office chief, according to The Telegraph. It comes as Post Office hero Sir Alan Bates accused the government of running a 'quasi kangaroo court' payout system for the scandal's victims last month. More recently, Sir Alan said he would prefer to see the compensation schemes thrown out rather the people working on them. 'We have got serious concerns about the transparency and the parity across the schemes,' he told The Telegraph. Last November, Mr Recaldin giving evidence to the inquiry, apologised after it was unearthed staff who were managing compensation claims had also been embroiled in prosecutions relating to the scandal. When queried about ex Post Office investigators he said: 'So my regret – and it is a genuine regret – is that when I came in, in January 2022, that I didn't do that conflicts check, check back on my inherited team, and challenge that.' It comes as the Sir Alan, who famously won his High Court battle with the Post Office in 2019 revealed that he had been handed a 'take it or leave it' compensation offer of less than half his original claim. Mr Bates, 70, said the first offer, made in January last year, was just one sixth of what he was asking for, adding that it rose to a third in the second offer. He has now been given a 'final take it or leave it offer' - which he said amounts to 49.2 per cent of his original claim. He, alongside 500 other sub-postmasters, will now have to lodge their bid for compensation via the Group Litigation order, managed by the Government. Bates, who led the sub-postmasters' campaign for justice, attacked the government for reneging on assurances given when the compensation schemes were set up The Post Office currently manages the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, which is seperate to the aforementioned. This scheme was organised for victims who have not been compensated but believe they experienced financial loses due to the IT scandal. A Post Office spokesman said: 'As part of the Post Office's commitment to deliver a 'new deal for postmasters', we have undertaken a review of our operating model to ensure we have the right structure in place. 'We have been in consultation with a number of colleagues from across the business, including the Remediation Unit. As a result of this Post Office-wide organisational design exercise, Simon Recaldin has left the business.'
Finextra
an hour ago
- Finextra
Preparing for BNPL regulation: What firms need to do now: By Ben O'Brien
The arrival of formal regulation for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) products is no longer a question of if, but when. With the Treasury's May 2025 consultation response, the direction is this: by mid-2026, third-party BNPL lenders will fall within the scope of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This change brings with it a full set of regulatory requirements—covering affordability, creditworthiness, redress, disclosures, and governance. While many firms are familiar with the general framework, the pace and detail of implementation demand serious attention. Risk leaders now face a critical window to build a strategy that aligns commercial goals with regulatory readiness. Scope of the new BNPL regime From mid-2026, third-party BNPL providers must be authorised by the FCA and comply with its rules on affordability, creditworthiness, consumer duty, complaints, disclosures, and more: Mandatory, proportionate affordability and creditworthiness checks Firms must demonstrate verifiable checks at the point of decisioning, aligned to individual circumstances, not just product type. Firms must demonstrate verifiable checks at the point of decisioning, aligned to individual circumstances, not just product type. Access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) BNPL customers can now escalate complaints to FOS, increasing the importance of auditable redress processes and timely resolution. BNPL customers can now escalate complaints to FOS, increasing the importance of auditable redress processes and timely resolution. Tailored disclosure requirements for digital-first products The FCA will introduce a bespoke regime focused on real-world comprehension — not just information delivery. Firms will need to test and evidence understanding. The FCA will introduce a bespoke regime focused on real-world comprehension — not just information delivery. Firms will need to test and evidence understanding. Extension of Section 75 protections to BNPL agreements Providers will be jointly liable for qualifying claims, requiring clear merchant oversight, governance controls, and capital planning to manage new exposure. While third-party BNPL is the initial focus, merchant-offered BNPL products remain outside the perimeter for now. This exemption, based on Article 60F(2) of the Regulated Activities Order, is under review and could be revisited if scale or harm increases. What this means for compliance and risk leaders The FCA isn't looking for surface-level compliance. It expects firms to demonstrate that processes are working and that consumers are genuinely protected. Affordability frameworks must evolve Checks must be proportionate and verifiable, with models recalibrated to reflect customer circumstances. Even low-value lending must evidence the potential for harm reduction. Complaint handling will need to be FOS-ready This includes robust audit trails, clear redress pathways, MI reporting on themes, and training on FOS processes. Joint liability introduces new exposure Providers must enhance governance around merchant partnerships, define liability clearly in contracts, and plan for potential claims in their capital models. Joined-up governance is essential Effective programmes will require close collaboration across credit, compliance, legal, product, and ops teams—with clear ownership under SM&CR. Disclosures must reflect real-world understanding It's not just about format. The FCA expects firms to test, monitor, and evidence comprehension—particularly for vulnerable customers. Making best use of the Temporary Permissions Regime The FCA will launch a Temporary Permissions Regime (TPR) to support the transition. Providers must be ready to act quickly when the window opens. Prepare for registration Ensure that internal records, model documentation, and business models are clearly aligned with regulatory expectations. Conduct a readiness assessment Review decisioning processes, affordability checks, complaints management, and financial crime controls. Plan for dual-track execution Meet TPR requirements while simultaneously building toward full authorisation. Engage early with the FCA Establish open communication lines to reduce ambiguity and show proactivity. Plan for contingencies Prepare wind-down plans, customer messaging, and backup procedures in case of registration delays or rejections. Innovation and consumer protection can coexist The decision to exclude some legacy Consumer Credit Act requirements reflects the unique nature of BNPL: short-term, interest-free, and often accessed via digital channels. This creates space for a more relevant, user-centric approach to disclosures but it also raises the bar. Risk and compliance teams should work with product, legal, and design leads to ensure communications are: Integrated into real customer journeys Mobile-friendly and accessible Prompted by user behaviour Supported by outcome-based testing and complaints data Those who treat disclosures as a compliance task may struggle. Those who invest in relevance and usability will have stronger customer engagement and defensibility. Merchant carve-out and the risk of market distortion The decision to exclude merchant-led BNPL from the regulatory scope has sparked debate. Without oversight, merchant-offered credit could create competitive asymmetry and raise consumer protection concerns. Risk leaders should: Monitor merchant product developments and prepare for potential perimeter expansion Review all third-party merchant partnerships for regulatory dependencies Revisit financial promotions and credit broking arrangements, particularly where merchants promote BNPL products without broking permissions Regulatory costs and anticipated market impact The Treasury's impact assessment estimates: An Equivalent Annual Net Direct Cost to Business (EANDCB) of £2.3 million A Net Present Value of -£20.1 million over the assessment period over the assessment period Authorisation application fees: £5,000 to £25,000 Annual supervision fees: £10,000 to £50,000 Technology upgrades: £500,000 to £2 million per provider for systems supporting affordability, reporting, and complaints per provider for systems supporting affordability, reporting, and complaints Section 75 exposure: Estimated at 0.5% to 1.2% of transaction values With the UK's BNPL market valued at £20 billion annually, sector-wide exposure to Section 75 alone could exceed £100 million. Consolidation is expected. Government modelling suggests 20–30% of providers may exit the market post-regulation. But with global BNPL volumes growing rapidly, those who remain stand to benefit from a stronger, more trusted marketplace. How leading firms are responding Some providers have already started adjusting: Klarna Following regulatory scrutiny in Sweden, Klarna UK introduced income verification, real-time spend tracking, and risk-based onboarding. Monzo Flex Built affordability into product design from the outset, with integrated credit reporting and real-time tracking. PayPal Adopted a cross-functional compliance strategy with specialist teams, training, and documentation of governance processes. The clock is ticking and the gap between those who prepare and those who delay will widen fast. For risk leaders, this is a chance to go beyond baseline compliance, strengthening frameworks, improving customer outcomes, and shaping the future of BNPL in a regulated environment.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
What in the World How to hack your flight luggage allowance
Baggage fees have become part and parcel of international travel, with charges taking off in recent years. Globally, passengers spent $150 billion USD last year on added 'extras' such as seat selection and baggage fees - that's 25% more than they spent in 2023. There's also a growing number of 'packing hacks' videos on social media, with more people looking for ways to avoid paying fees for their bags. BBC reporter Sam Gruet explains why airlines started charging for luggage in the first place and how it varies around the world. And travel expert and content creator Chelsea Dickenson shares her tips on how to cut costs when travelling. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@ WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden and Josh Jenkins Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
