Effect of in-seat exercising on comfort perception of airplane passengers.

Sitting still for extended periods of time can lead to physical discomfort and even serious health risks. Due to safety regulations, reducing passenger' sitting time in aircrafts is not feasible. This paper presents the results of a laboratory study, in where an interactive airplane seat was compared with a current economy class seat. Participants used both seats for 3.5 h, and performed significantly more in-seat movements when using the interactive seating system. Furthermore, this interactive seat predominantly lead to significantly better comfort experiences and reduced discomfort experiences, however no significant differences have been found in self-reported localized musculoskeletal discomfort. Passengers indicated that they would prefer this interactive seat over a standard aircraft seat.

The high and low comfort peaks in passengers' flight.

BACKGROUND: Knowing the high and low peaks in comfort during a flight could be useful in prioritizing aircraft interior improvements. OBJECTIVE: The first objective of this study was to identify whether there are differences in comfort experiences during different phases of a flight. The second objective of this study was to identify similarities between recalled and real time reported comfort experiences. METHODS: 149 participants were asked to rate the comfort in the different phases of their last flight on a scale from 1-10. Additionally, a combination of a self-reporting design probe and generative interview was used to investigate the appraisal patterns of emotions in nine passengers. RESULTS: The 149 subjects reported the highest comfort after take-off and arriving at the destination, the lowest while stowing the luggage and during the cruise flight. The qualitative long haul inflight study showed after take-off and while arriving at the destination the most positive emotions and during the cruise flight there is a negative experience phase. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions are given to improve the cruise flight phase, by for example stimulation of movement or better service.