Written by Jonathan E. Hendry, Senior Editor Simple Flying, May 22, 2024
The airline is also introducing an accessible forward lavatory alongside economy and first class versions of the adaptable seat.
Photo: Priestman Goode
SUMMARY
A Delta Air Lines subsidiary is introducing an economy version of its wheelchair-accessible seats.
Both seats can be adapted to accommodate wheelchair users without taking away other seats.
Accessible lavatories with unique features like touchless controls and customized lighting are being designed for maximum privacy.
One year after debuting a first class seat option that lets passengers remain in their wheelchairs during flights, a Delta Air Lines subsidiary is introducing an economy version of the seat alongside an accessible lavatory that fits an onboard wheelchair and up to two attendants.
The best of both worlds
The announcement comes as the airline industry prepares for next week’s annual Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. Delta Flight Products and AirforAll (a group comprised of PriestmanGoode, Flying Disabled, SWS Certification, and Sunrise Medical) collaborated on the two seats, which can operate traditionally or fold up to make room for wheelchairs.
How the industry is adapting to make flying better for everyone.
The latest seat from the group has been designed for an economy class cabin. It offers the same comforts and safety as the first class version and does not take away seats onboard when installed in the first row of an aircraft. Daniel MacInnes, Director at Priestman Goode, noted how the company had been listening to feedback from the community in designing the new product:
“Since AIX last year it’s been an exciting few months of collaboration and refinement of the design – and constant engagement with the wheelchair user community. We’ve listened and this year we’re leading the way with a family of seat products and other solutions, all part of a holistic view of the journey and an experience that’s inclusive for all.”
Airlines have been taking steps in recent months to ensure that travel is accessible to more passengers. They have also rolled out tools to help passengers find aircraft that can accommodate larger wheelchairs. According to US Department of Transportation data, 25.5 million Americans have travel-limiting disabilities.
Following up on the first class seats
The original design for domestic first and business class cabin seats has been upgraded since its debut last year at AIX. According to the designer, the team has worked with passengers with reduced mobility and additional stakeholders to gather feedback over the past nine months.
The seats notably provide access to the headrest, center console tray tables, and cocktail tables in both configurations, a safety feature that will be crucial for future certification. Chris Wood, Founder of Flying Disabled, noted how pioneering the solution was at the time:
“An innovation like this in air travel provides those with reduced mobility a safe and comfortable way for them to travel and remain in their own power wheelchair.
“It has taken truly a collaborative effort to develop this seat and we believe this product provides an optimal solution for all parties.”
Accessible seats are not the only thing the PriestmanGoode team is displaying this month; a new lavatory concept is also in the works.
Creating more accessible lavatories
Lack of space, especially in regional jets and narrowbody planes, has often constrained the accessibility of airport bathrooms. Next week, Delta Flight Products (DFP) will debut an accessible forward lavatory with a “unique door opening” to maximize privacy. According to the company, the lavatory will be located near the boarding door and incorporate a fixed panel that can be unlatched to accommodate the entry of an onboard wheelchair while providing maximum privacy from the aircraft cabins.
The lavatories feature touchless controls designed to allow a passenger with reduced mobility access to the sink directly from the toilet before transferring back to the wheelchair. The lighting in the lavatory is also being customized to support people with low vision or color sensitivity. According to DFP, future improvements may include a “smart mirror” to close caption overhead announcements and display tactile symbols. Rick Salanitri, President of Delta Flight Products, commented on how vital these advancements are:
“DFP’s involvement in the PRM seats and accessible lavatory is fundamental to our goal of always working towards improving the passenger experience. We look forward to seeing these products through their testing and certification phases, which will prepare them for aircraft identification & installation, resulting in a more seamless travel journey for the PRM community.”
This latest offering follows a design by Singaporean company ST Engineering for an accessible lavatory for Airbus A320 aircraft, which seeks to make air travel more inclusive.
