Radical 'passenger pod' concept: bunk beds for business class

The 'Air Lair' certainly isn't the first 'upstairs/downstairs' concept for business class, but it's by far the coolest.

Created by UK firm Factorydesign, which worked on the upmarket cabins of Etihad's Airbus A380, the business class bunks are described as "a personal cocoon" which would allow airlines to carry up to 30% more passengers within the same floor space.

The trick, of course, is using overhead space to create a honeycomb-like cabin, as seen in these mock-ups based on an Airbus A380.

"Within this enclosed environment the passenger is able to control their own personal space without disturbing other passenger or, for that matter, being disturbed by other passengers" Factorydesign claims.

"Strategically placed lighting is used to set the mood, while an over-head projector provides the entertainment, and ergonomically designed lay-flat seat provides the comfort."

The pod layout would have strongest appeal to solo travellers desiring minimal interaction with others while in the air, Factorydesign director Adam White told Skift.com.

"You would only want to be in an Air Lair pod if you wanted to have no contact with other passengers. It's a seat for single people. It is a private space."

White suggests the seats would not be too challenging to climb into and out of, as long as passengers don;t face any 'mobility restrictions'.

"Drivers quickly adapt to getting in and out of a Ferrari, if they’re lucky enough, or a van, or large 4x4" White said.

"The seat heights of those more extreme vehicles are not dissimilar to the seat heights of the upper and lower positions of the Air Lair.”

Also read: Is this British Airways' next-gen Club World business class seat?

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.