Background

Throughout my time in college, I have become a frequent flier on low cost airlines such as Frontier Airlines. I find these seats wildly unsatisfactory, uncomfortable, and just a general disappointment. I knew something better could be done, which is why I focused my senior thesis project on making a better, low weight airplane seat.

Research

The Survey

I sent a survey out to aviation enthusiasts and other people who flew recently, asking about various aspects of their experience with airplane seats. I asked them to break down the various components of the seat based on comfort.

There was a consensus that the high contact elements, such as the rests and padding were worse than the space and sizing elements.

I also gathered information about what airlines and fare types people used to get a background about their experiences.

Users' Ideal Seats

I talked with various fliers in airports, and asked them to draw for me what their perfect airplane seat looks like. Common threads included reclinability, better head rests, and more space/size adjustments.

Ideation

Inflatable Seat Cushion

Mechanism Exploration

Arm Rest with Fold-out Tray

The Build Process

Mechanism for Arm Rest Rotation

The concept for my arm rest turned from a pull out table to a swing-up table to avoid jamming and mobility issues.

I used a 2x2 puzzle to ensure a clean, smooth swing.

Creating a Bladder

To test the viability of vinyl for use as a seat cushion, I made a test unit. I ironed two sheets together to create the seal.

Two Halves of a Cushion

I worked with The Foam Outlet to create a shell to house the final bladder. My two halves are the same size as the previous cushion for easy installation.

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