The sun was finally peaking through the storm clouds when I cracked open The New Tourist on a train headed out of Amsterdam. I’d absolutely loved the city, even in pouring rain—canals around every corner, beautiful public parks, some of the most charming architecture I’d ever encountered. But I’d also spent the vast majority of my time outside the inner ring, venturing into the historic, heavily touristed city center just once, to hop on a boat tour. I’d wanted to avoid being part of the overcrowding that much of Amsterdam has experienced due to a surge in tourism in recent years. (In 2010, there were 5.3 million overnight hotel stays in the city. Last year, there were 9.4 million. Complaining about tourism is now a frequent refrain among locals and visitors alike.) Put less charitably, I wanted to avoid any possibility of being mistaken for a “tourist” in the most pejorative sense.
This new airplane economy-seat concept converts into lie-flat beds
31.05.2024 - 09:25 / insider.com
Lie-flat beds have historically been reserved for business and first-class travelers, but Chinese aircraft services provider Ameco has developed a new bed-equipped product called the "Fly-Buddy Hub."
The concept, which arranges two rows of six seats facing each other across a table, was selected as a finalist for this year's Crystal Cabin Awards.
This "versatile social hub" resembles the classic quad-seating on a train, but the tray tables retract, allowing the rows to convert into beds.
Ameco design department manager Ping Li told CNN Travel that the spacious seat caters to families or business groups as multiple people can dine, socialize, or meet during the flight.
But the amenities don't appear to stop there.
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Based on Ameco's renderings, a stowable television can be installed next to the windows for gaming and streaming.
A similar "gamer class" idea was thought up by English startup carrier Global Airlines, a yet-to-fly company hoping to operate Airbus A380s across the Atlantic. However, the company has since removed the renderings from its website — suggesting such an ambitious cabin may be too costly to sustain.
Still, Ameco's innovative concept is nothing to balk at, considering some carriers are already flying with lie-flat beds in economy class.
In 2011, Air New Zealand introduced the famous "Skycouch" — a row of three economy seats that convert into a bed by raising the leg rests.
The bed, which is an add-on cost, comes with linens and an appropriately named "cuddle belt" — something two passengers flying together can use to buckle up when sleeping.
ANZ has since patented the design as an affordable lie-flat option in economy class. Other airlines, such as Brazil's Azul Air, Japan's All Nippon Airways, and Kazakhstan's Air Astana, have created their own versions of the coach bed.
With the success of the Skycouch, ANZ is adding another concept to its line-up of innovative economy cabins: the Skynest.
The triple bunk beds don't have televisions but offer a long, lie-flat bed and linens for passengers to sleep.
The design is expected to be deployed on new Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2025 and will be available to economy flyers in four-hour sessions.
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