New Planes will have air bags and seats less apt to rip loose
Taking its cue from automobiles, new airplanes will now be required to have “seats that will stay in place when subjected to stresses up to 16 times the force of gravity.” Additionally, some seats will be equipped with air bags.
Starting this fall, all new airplanes will be required to have seats that will stay in place when subjected to stresses up to 16 times the force of gravity. The old seats had to meet stresses of only nine times the force of gravity. And, in a safety measure borrowed from automobiles, some seats will be equipped with air bags.
The combination of sturdy seats and air bags means that if a plane touches down short of the runway or rolls off the end of the runway and hits an obstruction, “You’re going to be conscious. You’re going to have the opportunity to survive,” said Bill Hagan, president of AmSafe, which makes the air bags.
Boeing 787 delay gives airlines breathing room
Despite the fact that the airlines are frustrated with Boeing’s delays with the Dreamliner, it could be a boon for the airlines.
Experts say it is entirely possible that behind their public displays of discontent, some airlines are secretly pleased they can put off taking delivery of expensive wide-body aircraft they may not be able to fill.
“In some ways, it might work to their benefit,” said Alex Hamilton, Jesup & Lamont Securities analyst. “Instead of making the cold, hard decision of having to defer it, certainly (Boeing) doing it kind of works. I absolutely think it could help.”
Spring Airlines considers standing-room tickets
At one time, Airbus considered giving airlines the option of outfitting its airplanes with standing room “seats.” Now, Spring Airlines may be the first airline to take them up on that offer.
China’s Spring Airlines says it has been considering the concept since the beginning of the year to accommodate a surge in passenger volume. While a representative for the airline claims that the new method is “just like bar stools,” it could allow for 40% more passengers and cut costs by 20%, while lowering airfare for consumers.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t wait for the first rough turbulence or rough landing that causes an air-bag to go off when it is not supposed to do so. The liability lawsuits should be very interesting.
The airbags are NOT a good idea. If you’ve ever been burned by one……….
So does this mean those middle seats will be even smaller, to compensate for the increased size and weight of the new safety equipment?
Will it be harder to evacuate an aircraft quickly if there are deployed airbags in the cabin? They would add to the clutter that would have to be navigated, adding obstacles exactly when the lights may have gone out, the cabin may be filling with smoke, etc.
First it’s Ryanair In Europe wanting “Pay Toilets”, now Spring Air in Asia wants “Standing room only” seats…….
Here’s a thought……..why not install “Vending Machines” in the aft galley and eliminate the need altogether for “Working Flight Attendants” in the back! That’ll surely cut costs for these “VERY” LOW COST CARRIERS!
Then you can call it: SKYBUS
Oh wait……..that’s been tried already……….
These “suits” in the Airline Board Rooms need to get REAL!
Standing Room ONLY???? So much for thier mantra “Safety First” …….
It’s all about the buck (or Yen or Euro) baby…….they don’t give a DAMN about the Customer OR the SERVICE!!!
Actually, everyone, these AIRBAG seatbelts already exist. I’ve seen them. It’s inside the strap on your seatbelt. Right next to the metal buckle. Soooo, they would inflate near your waist.
Taking its cue from automobiles, new airplanes will now be required to have “seats that will stay in place when subjected to stresses up to 16 times the force of gravity.” Additionally, some seats will be equipped with air bags.
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16 times? Anyone know if your body can handle that force without going unconscious? Or internal damage?
Are they going to require that the OVERHEAD COMPARTMENTS handle more impact as well? 16 times the force of gravity would turn a 3 pound bag into a FLYING MISSILE. How ironic, they would increase the strength of your seat, but, you may be killed by flying luggage from the overheads.
Frank–so the airbags are on the seatbelt?
Great. From my experience with a 2000 Mustang, the airbags explode and deflate in a blink of an eye. And as someone else mentioned, with the speed of the accident and the speed of the airbag, you can get friction burns from them
Just what I want–an exploding bag near my crotch to cause friction burns. I guess I can join the soprano section of the choir…
On July 1st, 2009 at 10:54 pm Tim said Frank–so the airbags are on the seatbelt?
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Yes.