Roberta Aguirre
Airport seating is a topic that has sparked many debates and discussions among travellers worldwide. While some airports have introduced innovative solutions such as sleeping pods and comfortable lounges, the majority of airport seating remains notoriously uncomfortable. This has led to a widespread perception that airports intentionally create uncomfortable environments to encourage passenger flow and commercial activity. However, the primary focus of today's airport seating design is to strike a balance between comfort and functionality while adhering to fire safety regulations and addressing the personal space needs of travellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To encourage people to move along quickly and to increase the likelihood of them spending money |
| Design | Chairs in rigid lines bolted to the floor, with armrests |
| Factors considered in design | Fire safety, comfort, visual appeal, functionality, personal space, privacy, security, durability |
| Improvements | Sleeping pods, charging points, tables, lounges, gyms, showers, beds |
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What You'll Learn
To encourage travellers to move around and explore the airport's commercial locations
It is widely acknowledged that airport seating is uncomfortable. The reasons for this are varied, but one theory is that the discomfort is intentional, designed to keep travellers moving and exploring the airport's commercial locations. Robert Sommer, who studied the design of airport seating, concluded that the arrangement of chairs in rigid lines, bolted to the floor, was deliberately sociofugal—discouraging social interaction and encouraging travellers to visit shops and cafes.
The inclusion of armrests on these chairs increases their usage compared to bench seats without them. Armrests provide a sense of personal space and make travellers more comfortable sitting next to strangers. The modular design of airport seating, with its parallel orientation, also minimises face-to-face contact, which can feel less threatening for people sitting near each other.
The primary focus of today's airport seating is the size and comfort level that fits the environment the airport wishes to create. While some airports opt for the utility of beam seating over comfort, others recognise the importance of traveller comfort and prioritise it in their designs. For example, Dubai International Airport (DXB) offers a premium range of seating materials in various colours to enhance appearance and comfort.
To cater to business travellers, some airports provide seating with charging points and desk space. Additionally, airports like Helsinki Airport in Finland and Abu Dhabi International Airport have introduced sleeping pods, allowing travellers to rest during long layovers. These pods provide a peaceful space with storage for carry-on luggage and charging connectivity.
While some airports offer improved comfort through membership-based lounge access, many travellers desire free access to comfortable seating, gyms, and rest areas. Implementing such amenities could attract more passengers, generating profit that could offset the additional upkeep and maintenance costs.
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To maintain fire safety standards
The primary goal of airport seating is to prioritize functionality and safety over comfort. The seats are often straight-backed and ergonomically designed to maximize space and adhere to fire safety protocols. While some airports offer more luxurious seating options in exclusive lounges, the standard seats in the main airport environment prioritize safety and efficiency.
The arrangement of chairs in rigid lines bolted to the floor is a deliberate choice to maximize space and create clear passageways in the event of an emergency. This design also discourages social interaction, encouraging travelers to explore commercial areas like shops and cafes, thus boosting airport revenue.
Furthermore, the inclusion of armrests on airport seats serves a dual purpose. Armrests provide a sense of personal space and comfort for travelers, especially when seated next to strangers. They also act as barriers, preventing the spread of fires and creating designated lanes for efficient passenger movement.
While the primary focus of airport seating is on safety and functionality, some airports are experimenting with enhanced comfort. For example, the introduction of sleeping pods at Helsinki Airport in 2013 offered travelers a peaceful space to rest during long layovers. However, the primary consideration for airport seating remains fire safety and the adherence to regulations that govern the materials and layout of seating areas.
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To cater to the desire for personal space
The design of airport seating plays a crucial role in the satisfaction of travellers and their overall airport experience. One of the key considerations in airport seating design is catering to the desire for personal space.
Robert Sommer, who studied the design of airport seating, concluded that the arrangement of chairs in rigid lines bolted to the floor served a sociofugal purpose, discouraging social interaction and encouraging travellers to visit shops and cafes. The presence of armrests on chairs increases their usage compared to bench seats without armrests, as armrests provide a sense of personal space, making strangers more comfortable sitting adjacent to each other. The parallel orientation of modular seat units also reduces face-to-face contact, making it seem less threatening for strangers.
To enhance the feeling of personal space and security, some airports have introduced innovative seating solutions. For example, the Orb Lounge features an organic, circular shape that wraps around guests, maximising their personal space. The Gee Aviation Pinwheel provides each traveller with a sense of privacy while offering optional tablespace, power access, and a clear line of sight. The Gee Cove offers a comfortable lounge chair, acoustic panel walls for privacy, charging options, and a workspace.
While some airports provide basic seating and access to charging stations, others offer membership-based lounges with more comfortable and spacious seating. These lounges often include additional amenities such as showers, gyms, and rest areas, providing travellers with a peaceful and relaxing environment.
Overall, the design of airport seating aims to balance the need for a sufficient number of seats with the desire to provide travellers with a sense of personal space and comfort.
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To increase profit by encouraging passengers to pay for lounge access
While some airports have introduced comfortable sleeping pods and lounges, uncomfortable seating remains a common feature in airports. One reason for this could be to encourage passengers to pay for lounge access, thereby increasing airport profits.
Airport lounges offer greater comfort and amenities to travellers for a fee. These lounges provide more comfortable and spacious seating, showers, gyms, rest areas, charging stations, and privacy. By offering these enhanced amenities at a cost, airports can increase their revenue.
The design of standard airport seating plays a significant role in the overall experience of travellers. The arrangement of chairs in rigid lines, bolted to the floor, discourages social interaction and encourages travellers to explore commercial locations like shops and cafes. This may be intentional on the part of the airport to promote consumerism and increase revenue from retail outlets.
Moreover, the level of comfort provided by airport seating can influence passenger satisfaction. Uncomfortable seating can deter passengers from lingering in one place, reducing congestion and increasing passenger flow. This can be particularly important for large airports with high passenger traffic.
Additionally, the provision of armrests on airport chairs increases their usage compared to bench seats without armrests. Armrests provide a sense of personal space and privacy, addressing the natural desire for a "personal bubble" when sitting next to strangers. This design feature can also contribute to the overall comfort and satisfaction of travellers, potentially influencing their willingness to pay for lounge access.
In conclusion, while there may be multiple factors influencing airport seating design, the potential to increase profits by encouraging passengers to pay for lounge access is a significant consideration. By offering a range of comfortable amenities at a premium, airports can balance passenger satisfaction and revenue generation.
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To match the overall quality of the airport's interiors
While some airports have introduced comfortable sleeping pods and lounges, airport seating is often designed to be uncomfortable. This is done to encourage passengers to keep moving and spend money in shops and cafes. The arrangement of chairs in rigid lines bolted to the floor is deliberately designed to discourage social interaction.
However, the quality of seating in airport terminals designed by major architects, such as Renzo Piano (Kansai International Airport) or Richard Rogers (Heathrow Terminal 5), matches the overall quality of the airport's interiors. High-quality seating is essential to improving passenger experience and visual appeal. The primary focus of today's airport seating is the size and comfort of the seating to fit the environment that the airport and airline want to create.
Dubai International Airport (DXB), for example, provides a premium range of seating materials in various colours, such as blue, red, black, and grey. DXB is focused on setting apart standards of original airport seating and experimenting with various colours to enhance appearance and comfort.
To enhance the experience of the traveller, the space surrounding the seating area within an airport is designed to encourage comfort, happiness, and connectedness among travellers. For instance, GoSleep sleeping pods at the Abu Dhabi International Airport allow travellers to sleep during long layovers. Similarly, Helsinki Airport in Finland introduced sleeping pods in 2013, which can be adjusted from a seat to a bed and have storage areas for carry-on luggage and charging connectivity.
Thus, while some airports may opt for uncomfortable seating, others prioritise comfort to match the overall quality of their interiors and enhance the traveller's experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport seating is designed to be functional and simple. The focus is on fitting as many seats as possible in the space available, which often results in uncomfortable seats.
Airport seats are often bolted to the floor in rigid lines, with armrests. This design discourages social interaction and can make it uncomfortable to sit next to a stranger.
Yes, airport lounges offer more comfortable seating, often with additional services such as charging stations, showers, gyms, and rest areas. These lounges usually require a membership or separate purchase to access.
Providing and maintaining comfortable seating options, such as beds or lounges, would require additional staff and increase upkeep costs for airports.
Some airports, such as Helsinki Airport in Finland and Abu Dhabi International Airport, have introduced sleeping pods that can be adjusted from seats to beds and include charging connectivity and storage.
