Delta Develops Innovative Airplane Seat To Help Wheelchair Users Fly Comfortably

Last year, inclusive travel consortium Air 4 All unveiled first-of-its-kind seats that would allow passengers who struggle with mobility issues to remain in their personal wheelchairs while on board a flight.

Now, it seems Delta will be the first airline to incorporate the innovation, as its subsidiary Delta Flight Products has officially partnered with the company, design consultancy PriestmanGoode, and Flying Disabled to introduce the new seating option.

At the moment, wheelchair-bound passengers have to switch over to specific wheelchairs provided by each carrier when making their way through airport terminals or boarding airplanes. This requires multiple transfers, which can be uncomfortable and exhausting.

Not to mention, as Insider pointed out, many personal wheelchairs checked into the cargo hold come out damaged. Not only are these mobility devices extremely costly, but they’re also often customized for the specific user, making them a hassle to replace.

According to the US Department of Transportation, just last year, over 11,000 wheelchairs were mishandled by various carriers. As such, Delta and Air 4 All hope their latest seating option will make it easier for wheelchair users to remain with their own devices throughout the entire flight. 

A prototype of the new seat will debut at the Aircraft Interiors Expo this week but will have to wait to receive certification and approval from regulatory bodies before it can finally be installed in plane cabins.

The special, patented design works by having several components that can be moved to convert the seat into a wheelchair-accessible model position. Just by flipping up the seat and back cushion, flyers’ wheelchairs can be securely attached in position for the duration of the flight.

Importantly, these designations will still allow wheelchair users to access the regular amenities available on board an airplane, including a headrest, center console tray tables, and even a cocktail table in some instances.

Last but not least, the convertible seating arrangement doesn’t require airliners to change their cabin configurations—reducing the barrier to implementing these accessible seats as carriers will still be able to maintain the overall branding and look of the airplane.

[via Insider and Airways Magazine, images via PriestmanGoode]