A Giant Roll Forward: A New Airplane Seat Concept for Wheelchair Users Takes Flight
As someone who relies on a power wheelchair and has often avoided travelling due to the challenges of air travel, the news of a new airplane seat concept that allows wheelchair users to stay in their own chair throughout a flight is truly thrilling. This innovative design, revealed by a subsidiary of Delta Airlines, marks a significant step towards accessible air travel.
Delta Air Lines' New Convertible Seat Lets Passengers Fly With Their Wheelchairs© Provided by SimpleFlying
"Unbelievably excited," is how fellow power wheelchair user and avid traveller Cory Lee described his reaction to the prototype demonstrated by Delta Flight Products (DFP) at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. This expo is a hub for showcasing the latest innovations in airplane cabin design.
DFP's seat concept cleverly converts between a traditional airplane seat and a docking station for a wheelchair. The built-in seat folds up, allowing a wheelchair to be secured in place without any structural changes to the aircraft. Even in wheelchair mode, passengers can still use the tray table, thanks to an adjustable center console.
Rick Salanitri, president of DFP, emphasized the goal of a seamless conversion process. Although still a prototype, the design is already generating buzz among wheelchair users. It’s hoped that the concept could be available commercially within 18 months, pending successful testing and adoption by airlines.
"For decades, people with disabilities have been fighting for more accessible air travel, and this feels like a huge step (or a giant roll) toward real inclusivity," Lee shared with CNN Travel via email.
Lee, who has visited 43 countries, documents his adventures on his blog. However, he highlights the current challenges of air travel for wheelchair users, including the difficulty of accommodating powered chairs. Typically, Lee has to use a non-electric, airport-owned wheelchair, which he cannot control himself, leading to a significant loss of independence. Boarding the plane often involves being transferred multiple times, a process that can be unsafe and unnerving.
"During those transfers, I’ve nearly been dropped on several occasions," said Lee. Once on board, he worries about potential damage to his personal wheelchair. "It has been damaged so badly that I couldn’t even drive it out of the airport on two different occasions," he explained.
Unfortunately, Lee's experiences are not unique. Air travel is notoriously inaccessible for wheelchair users, with many disability activists highlighting the dehumanizing and dangerous aspects of the current system.
A Collaborative Effort for Change
The development of this new seat design is a result of a collaboration between DFP and the UK-based consortium Air4All. This consortium includes aviation design company PriestmanGoode, advocacy group Flying Disabled, aerospace company SWS Certification, and wheelchair design company Sunrise Medical. Flying Disabled's Christopher Wood, who has two adult children who use wheelchairs, initiated the consortium to address the challenges faced by wheelchair users on airplanes.
After conducting extensive research, Wood concluded that partnering directly with an aviation company would be the most effective approach. This led to the formation of Air4All and the subsequent collaboration with DFP.
DFP, described by Salanitri as "a product development company inside of the airline," saw potential in the concept and began development around 18 months ago. A disability focus group was involved in the design process, providing crucial feedback, such as the need for the center console to elevate in wheelchair mode.
Real-World Implications
At the AIX, the DFP team demonstrated the seat to aviation industry insiders, receiving enthusiastic responses. The seat maintains a stylish appearance in both its traditional and wheelchair conversion modes. The conversion process is swift and smooth, taking around 90 seconds.
DFP is now focused on the next steps, including testing, development, and certification. They have also started informal discussions with the US Federal Aviation Administration and the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
While DFP is a subsidiary of Delta, it’s not confirmed if Delta will be the first to implement the design. The ultimate goal is to have the seat available on all airlines, making installation straightforward and cost-effective. Salanitri envisions a scenario where the front row of domestic airplane seats could be replaced with these convertible seats without significant modifications.
Looking Ahead
Although this new seat design addresses a major barrier to accessible air travel, there are still other issues to be resolved. For instance, aircraft restrooms remain a challenge. Currently, they are often too small for a caregiver to assist, leading some wheelchair users, like Lee, to severely limit their food and liquid intake before a flight to avoid needing to use the restroom onboard.
Despite these challenges, the introduction of this new seat design is a significant milestone. "An airline has finally acknowledged that there needs to be a wheelchair spot on planes and is trying to make it happen," Lee said. He looks forward to the day when he can stay in his own wheelchair during a flight.
Every day, I hear from other wheelchair users who want to travel but fear damage to their wheelchairs. In 2023, this shouldn't be the case. Until air travel is truly inclusive for everyone, including wheelchair users, it isn't inclusive at all. This new seat design is a giant roll forward in making that dream a reality.
This article was inspired by and contains information from a CNN article titled "‘Unbelievably excited’ - wheelchair users react to new Delta airplane seat design" published on June 8, 2023.
