英國設計公司Design Q最近正在研發一種與火車座位車廂類似的新型飛機客艙模式，乘客可以面對面而坐，如果乘客想要選擇傳統的朝前的座位，則需要支付額外的費用。這種新型的設計將增加50%的乘客運載量，每個座位的成本也可減少30%。不過，因為過道狹窄，這種新型客機將無法提供餐食分發服務。此外，由于新型的座位排列模式在舒適度上有所減弱，因此這種客機只面向航程在1小時以內的航班。與此同時，愛爾蘭瑞安航空表示他們打算在某些航線飛機的尾部設置站立空間和酒吧凳，為飛行時間在一個半小時之內的乘客提供免費搭乘服務。

The interior of a plane with Design Q's new seating. A new aircraft design being developed in the UK where passengers are asked to sit facing each other in rows, could lead to cheaper travel.

A new aircraft design being developed in the UK where passengers are asked to sit facing each other in rows, could lead to cheaper travel, it is claimed.

Developers of the design, which is aimed at budget airline’s short haul flights, say it could lead to a 50 per cent increase in the number of passengers on board with a saving of up to a third per seat.

Under the concept short-haul travelers in future would be asked to trade cushioned comfort for a flip-up seat with its back to the window.

Food carts would be unlikely to pass down the plane because the aisles are too narrow, under the design being developed by UK-based company Design Q.

The company said it is loosely based on the way some soldiers travel to battle zones.

They added it was aimed at passengers flying for an hour or less where they are less concerned about comfort.

Design Q director Howard Guy said that aircraft using the design would be lighter, more fuel efficient and let passengers board and leave more quickly.

“It is taking the idea of traditional transport like a train or bus and asking: ‘Why can’t we do this on a plane’,” he told The Daily Express.

Passengers who want to face forwards will have to pay a little more, he added.

Under a separate scheme, Ryanair recently announced it was investigating having standing areas and bar stools at the back of some of flights, with passengers on flights of less than an hour and a half travelling for free.

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(Agencies)

（英語點津 Helen 編輯）