Airbus’ double-decker airplane seat leaves travellers baffled over ‘fart zone’ part

Airbus may be introducing double-decker seats in a bid to create more legroom for passengers, but the unusual idea has raised concerns about being stuck in the ‘fart zone’

Airbus’ double-decker plane seat proposal has some people retching over the idea they might get trapped in the ‘fart zone’.

The aerospace giant is partnering with Spanish startup Chaise Longue to introduce the unique design in an attempt to improve passenger experience. While passengers on the bottom row are afforded more legroom, social media users have realised that they’d be directly in the firing line of the person above’s farts. One Threads user said: “Last thing I want when flying is being stuck in someone’s fart zone.”

Another person on X said: “The nice thing about this arrangement, is that farts from the higher seats in front of you will hit you right in the mouth so you don’t have to wonder where they came from.”

In an enthusiastic LinkedIn post, CEO and founder of Chaise Longue, Alejandro Núñez Vicente, said: “It’s the dawn of a new era for commercial aviation, so I hope that you are as excited as we are with this announcement and that soon, you can be crossing the skies in a more comfortable, spacious and two-level seat.”

Some social media users were much less keen on the idea, with one calling the plan “an a$$ of an idea.”

Defending his design against concerns about the ‘fart zone’ on LinkedIn, Mr Vicente said: “With some common sense and maturity you should be able to find your answer.

“Gas in general doesn’t go through solid objects like seat cushions, seat covers and plastic shells.”

However, the smell of passing gas isn’t the only thing baffling social media users, with many feeling the design is a way to increase profits without considering passengers’ comfort.

One X user said: “Soon they will be packing us in with the luggage. The level of the airlines disregard for the impact of seating to people that fly with them is sickening.”

Vicente told CNN he is not planning to eradicate normal airplane seating, but that his design would fit alongside it in a single airplane.

He also added he’s “open for collaboration” with other aviation companies, but that “there is still a long development ahead.”

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