New Airplane Seat Designed for Passengers in Wheelchairs

US – Some aspects of flying on an airplane are becoming increasingly accessible. For instance, a Delta Airlines team is now working on a cabin designed to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs throughout the entire journey, whether it is a domestic or international flight. Designed by a conglomerate known as Air 4 All, it’s the first of its kind in the industry.  

Since 2020, a proposal has been underway to transform airplane cabins with wheelchairs that turn into airplane seats, complete with a headrest and tray table. This is the first time a working prototype is being presented to the public in collaboration with Delta Flights Products as an official partner. It’s a significant and much-needed measure to guarantee that air travel is available to all. 

Flying can be an unpleasant experience for those who must give up their wheelchairs, as airplanes are the only form of public transportation that requires this step. For years, individuals have complained about the complex maneuvering often needed for people in wheelchairs to move throughout the cabin. At the same time, people often complain that the amenities are not conducive to good posture when seated.  

Those traveling in wheelchairs often experience a stressful and intrusive process due to the difficulty of accommodating their wheelchair on an airplane. For now, planes require folks to use an airport-issued wheelchair to get onboard. Then the passengers must rely on a special wheelchair issued by the airline to get to their assigned seats. This offers no posture support compared to a power wheelchair and can cause sores on long-distance flights.  

To top it off, many wheelchairs are misplaced or damaged while in transit. An Air Travel Consumer Report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation states that over 11,000 wheelchairs and scooters loaded onto U.S. airlines were mishandled last year alone. Hopefully, a redesigned cabin could revolutionize the situation.  

The Delta team has given the first two aisle seats of a Boeing 737 a makeover. If no one using a wheelchair is on the flight, the seats appear and operate like regular seats. But if need be, the back of the chair can be taken off entirely, while both the seat and the armrest can be folded up. This allows the wheelchair user to enter the space and feel like they are in the same seat as everyone else. 

This design provides the accessibility they need without incurring any additional costs. The airline’s revenue will remain unaffected by creating a product that can be tailored to fit the available space. The seat is inspired by the type of folding chair typically seen in movie theaters. A crew member can help attach the wheelchair to a latch on the floor after the seat and armrests are folded down, allowing the wheelchair to fit in snugly. Setting up the cabin takes approximately 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the crew to quickly prepare for a short turnaround. The same training is necessary as with any new aircraft seat. 

The revamped cabin provides much more independence for those in wheelchairs. Once seated, passengers can access the headrest, tray table, and power plugs as they normally would. Of course, they still need to hop into an airline-issued wheelchair to make their way to the bathroom and back.   

The team is currently focusing its efforts on electric-powered wheelchairs, as they assist those with the most severe disabilities. At the same time, this new service will be exclusive to business class passengers and will be offered on narrow-body aircraft. The good news is that Delta Airlines strives to broaden its range of accessible seating options for economy class passengers, regardless of the type of plane or wheelchair. 

It is estimated that it will take around 18 months for the prototype, recently showcased at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, to be fully certified. Although Delta Flight Products is a subsidiary of Delta, no airline has been officially announced as the first partner, as Delta Flight Products is an independent company that works with various airlines. Of course, the team must secure certification for the existing prototype. 

The amazing product is not intended for a single airline but for the entire industry. Pretty soon, wheelchair accessibility on aircraft around the world will be commonplace.