How Airlines Are Relying More on Design Improvements to Make Flying Better
Photo Credit: This seat, by Thompson Aero Seating, may seem no different than products that have been on the market for years. But it is innovative, because no manufacturer had figured out to put an efficient all-aisle access seat on a narrowbody jet. Thompson Aero Seating
Skift Take
Don't fault airlines for lack of innovation. It's a risky business that doesn't always reward companies that act boldly. Instead, take solace in knowing that airlines are embracing smaller innovations that could make travel better.
Travelers often complain the airline industry rarely innovates on products, with most airlines trotting out the same experience, with a few tweaks, year-after-year.
There's a reason. In cabins, airlines have little room for error. If they take a chance on a new seating option — say a backwards/forwards economy class configuration, or even a proprietary business class suite — and passengers do not like it, they may lose share to competitors.
That's not all. Airlines fear new products may not stand up to the rigors of three or four flights per day. Some airlines are willing to take a chance, but many prefer the most reliable products, ensuring they never will remove airplanes from service to fix a wobbly seat or a faulty entertainment screen. Advances often come when an airline installs an updated version of what's already available, rather than something completely fresh. Or, if an airline wants bigger change, it may go with an established vendor over a company new to the indu
