Delta demonstrates new seat concept, larger lavatory for passengers who use wheelchairs

05.06.2024 - 21:41 / thepointsguy.com / Delta

Engineers at Delta Air Lines' product development arm think they've found a solution that could make air travel a safer, more seamless and more dignified experience for passengers who use wheelchairs for mobility. It involves a spot in the front row of the aircraft.

Last week in Hamburg, Germany, TPG got a look at a new seating prototype that would allow passengers to bring their own wheelchair on board.

Meanwhile, another concept pioneered by another aviation giant would involve turning two side-by-side lavatories into one double-sized lavatory to make it more spacious and accessible.

It's unlike any restroom you've ever seen on a plane — or probably anywhere, for that matter.

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This newly invented seating concept would see Delta (or any other airline that springs for it) convert a domestic first-class seat to accommodate a wheelchair, as shown in this demonstration TPG witnessed at the 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo, a major industry gathering focused on everything that happens inside commercial aircraft — from the seats to inflight entertainment and technology.

To orient yourself, picture this: Instead of a standard domestic first-class seat, you'd notice a specially modified seat in the aisle spot of the first row on the left side of the aircraft (or on your right side as you board).

At first glance, the seat looks like a completely normal premium recliner and has all the same features and amenities you'd expect.

But if a passenger with reduced mobility will be on a particular flight and would like to bring their own wheelchair on board, rather than checking it and relying on airport services to board and exit the plane, the seat can quickly be converted to easily accommodate them.

The seat cushion flips up, and crew members can pull straps with hooks up from slots in the cabin floor. The straps would fasten onto the mobility device in several spots, tightly securing the wheelchair in place — and allowing the passenger to remain in their personal chair for the duration of the flight.

The setup I saw is a prototype and was showcased last week by Delta Flight Products, a subsidiary of the Atlanta-based carrier that dreams up ideas and builds new concepts for commercial air travel.

The goal is simple.

"This gives you the same experience that every other passenger on the aircraft has," said Rang Saeed, a Delta Flight Products mechanical design engineer who walked me through the concept.

The prototype is fairly similar to another one I saw in Hamburg last week shown off by leading aviation manufacturer Collins Aerospace. In that design, the passenger would be situated just in front of the first full row.

The Collins