LONDON, April 11 (UPI) -- A British design company is marketing a system of alternating airline seats that face frontward and backwards to increase both legroom and the number of seats.
The Premium Aircraft Interiors Group has already developed rear-facing seats for the British Airways business-class cabin, and is now promoting it for economy class passengers at an exhibit in Hamburg, Germany, this week.
The Times of London said a refitted Boeing 777 could have ten-abreast seating instead of nine-abreast, allowing an extra 21 seats, while a double-deck Airbus A380 could have 50 more seats.
The company said the Royal Air Force already outfits its passenger planes with seats facing backwards as a safety measure, because in a crash, the body is pulled back into the seat instead of forward and away from it.
The company also says children would feel better looking ahead at their parents, and for passengers who aren't comfortable staring into someone else's face, a privacy screen at eye level can be pulled out from the seat in front.
