Airbus has unveiled some new plans to solve the legroom issue on planes... but people have noticed that it comes with a catch.
If you're anything like me, then you love going on vacation but the thought of being trapped in an airplane for hours fills you with dread.
This could easily be solved by flying first class everywhere, but we're not all made of money so sometimes we just have to endure the lack of legroom.
Well, a Spanish start-up, Chaise Lounge, is working with European aerospace giant Airbus to test a double-decker seating arrangement that could reshape air travel, per the Independent.
The innovative design, which aims to maximize space and provide more room for passengers, features alternating rows at different heights - one at the standard level and the next elevated on a raised platform.
This layout would allow for better legroom, particularly for those seated in the lower tier.
However, the concept has already sparked controversy, with critics pointing out a significant drawback. While passengers on the upper level can recline without affecting those behind them, those on the lower level lose the ability to lean back.
More notably, concerns have been raised about the lower-tier passengers being positioned at an awkward height - directly in line with the backside of the person seated in front.
"What if the passenger in front of you farts? That’s a direct shot," one person commented.
A second person said: "A BIG no for me! I don't want to be seated at the person in front of me's 'a** level' for a 16 hour flight. That's just disturbing! I would cancel my flight."
A third said: "With my luck, the guy above me ate a can of beans for breakfast."
Despite the backlash, Alejandro Núñez Vicente, CEO and founder of Chaise Lounge, remains optimistic about the project.
"Not gonna fly with someone’s butt in front of my nose. Sorry," added one X user.
"I will never fly with a strangers b***hole at nose level," tweeted another.
In a LinkedIn post, he shared his enthusiasm for the new seating design, stating: "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.
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."
When questioned about the concerns over gas exposure, Vicente dismissed the issue, responding: "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."
The CEO has also shared his broader vision of eliminating traditional airplane seating in favor of two-tiered arrangements.