Frequently Asked Questions |
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What type of airliners can use the ABH system? ABH cabin configurations can be developed to fit the dimensions of most wide-body aircraft presently in operation. How does passenger capacity of ABH cabins compare to that of present-day cabins? ABH cabin configurations can equal and, in most cases, substantially exceed passenger capacity as compared with conventional cabins. Does the ABH system affect cargo capacity of commercial aircraft? What about passenger booking? Are there enough accommodations for senior and handicapped passengers? Can extra tall or large persons use ABH seats? Is there direct access to every module? Is it difficult for a passenger in the middle seat to enter or exit the module? Given the dimensions of ABH modules, someone in the middle seat can enter or exit the module with minimum disturbance to the passenger in the aisle seat. How does ABH compare to present-day configurations in percentage of seats next to an aisle? Due to the ABH system’s unique three-aisle design, ABH cabin arrangements have a considerably higher percentage of aisle seats as compared with conventional seating layouts. Can seat-beds be operated independently? Each seat-bed can be converted into a seat, a bed or any intermediate position at any time without crew assistance and independently from any other seat-beds, to suit each passenger's individual needs. How safe are upper-level seats? Upper-level seats in ABH cabins are never higher than 1.30m above the cabin floor; plus, all ABH modules feature safety rails. To further assure passenger safety, the ABH system’s modular structure allows for each seat-bed to be fitted with a three-point adjustable seat belt that the passenger can have adjusted while seated or while sleeping. Are ladders safe? Ladders are integrated to the modules’ structure; they are sturdy and solid, and have rounded corners to avoid injury, as well as plenty of hand grips. Is there enough space for carry-on baggage? Individual bins for hand baggage are provided in each module; they are located above the passenger's feet. Additional space for hand baggage is located at both sides of the cabin—over the windows. Total stowage capacity in ABH cabins increases considerably compared with conventional cabins. What kind of clothes do passengers need to wear for traveling in ABH cabins? Passengers should wear clothes with which they feel comfortable lying down and sleeping in. How are food and beverages distributed? Taking advantage of the extra space offered by ABH modules, food containers can be placed in passenger modules before boarding, or they can be handed to passengers at meal time. After finishing their meal, passengers can place food containers in their special compartments located beneath the hand baggage bin, from where they can be removed afterwards by flight attendants or maintenance personnel.
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What about airflow and ventilation? The design of modified ventilation/airflow systems is a factor taken into consideration in the overall design of the ABH system. Moreover, the modules' design itself has plenty of open elements, which allow for good air circulation and an open cabin environment. Is there an open cabin environment with an ABH system? ABH modular units are designed so that passengers have an open, unobstructed view across the cabin, which contributes to an open cabin environment. For those who prefer not to seat between to persons, window seats or aisle seats—both of which make up the majority of seats in any ABH configuration—are the best option. Is the center aisle too dark?
How are emergency evacuations carried out? In an emergency evacuation, only passengers in upper level modules need to make use of the ladders to abandon their modules; however, because upper level modules are never more than 1.30m above the cabin floor, they may also abandon the module without using the ladder. Additionally, clear signs should be in place all along the cabin to indicate the way to the nearest exit. Plus, the ABH system's three-aisle design, which increases aisle space by 50%, is a definite advantage in case of evacuation. Moreover, the design of ABH modules permits passengers to move across the cabin and reach other aisles in case one of them is blocked. Do ABH cabins offer the same level of comfort and safety features as conventional cabins? All comfort and safety features currently found in passenger cabins and seating systems have been preserved in the ABH cabin design; plus, ABH’s modular design allows for new features to be implemented, such as three-point adjustable seatbelts and a unique drinking water dispenser system. Are ABH modules strong enough in case of rough emergency landings or accidents? In a survivable accident, ABH modules contribute to protect passengers from shocks, flying objects, fire or spraying of fuels in very much the same way monocoque-built cockpits of Formula 1 racecars protect their pilots, saving their lives even in the most violent crashes and collisions. What makes ABH modules strong and lightweight? The ABH design, with multiple union/fastening points, allows for very light yet highly resistant and flexible structures. Conventional seats are attached to the aircraft's structural elements at one point (the floor), which means they must be highly reinforced and thus very heavy. Moreover, hand baggage compartments in present-day cabins must also be highly reinforced because they are literally hanging from the ceiling; in the ABH design, all hand baggage compartments have multiple union/fastening and support points; this ensures that ABH modules can be as light—or even lighter—than conventional seats and hand baggage bins. Does the ABH system prevent travel-related health risks? The ABH cabin design provides travelers with considerably more individual space, as well as with the possibility to move freely within their units and to leave them and walk about at will, with minimum disturbance to other passengers. This significantly reduces important health risk factors such as immobility and inadequate posture during extended periods of time, which are suspected causes of travel-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Moreover, if passengers are able to rest and sleep comfortably for the entire duration of the flight, fatigue and stress—two factors that can contribute to poor physical and mental health—are considerably reduced. Seeking a practical solution to this challenge led a team of designers to create the Airborne Hotel (ABH) system—an innovative passenger cabin concept for wide-body commercial aircraft. The ABH system features modules with convertible seat-beds set in a two-level arrangement, for business class as well as for economy class cabins. Surprisingly, even with the addition of a third aisle at the center of the cabin the ABH system’s configurations achieve similar or superior passenger capacity as that of present-day seat configurations, while providing direct access to an aisle from every modular unit (single or double), and increasing aisle seats by up to __%. Plus, the ABH system allows each passenger to operate his or her seat-bed independently—without the need of crew assistance—in order to choose individually when to sit up, recline or lie flat and sleep. |
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