Formation Lie-Flat Cabin Conceptnews.formationdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Formation... · Formation Lie-Flat Cabin Concept ... The B777 LOPA shown later in this presentation

1Patents Pending & Granted

Formation Lie-Flat Cabin Concept

Up to 43% higher lie-flat seat count over Staggered & Herringbone LOPAs

Up to 36% higher lie-flat seat count over nested V or parallel 2-2-2

Up to 50% more combined usable bed surface area

All seated positions at the standard seat height


Formation Design Group has been exploring new ways of increasing the space efficiency of the lie-

flat cabin while improving the passengers living space. This concept, which leverages a layering

principle originally patented by Formation in 2008, features an arrangement of 2 forward facing

and 2 aft facing lie flat seats which are separated by a premium class suite. All 5 seats in this

arrangement are at the typical seated height. However, the bed of the suite deploys slightly higher

than typical (approximately armrest height) while the standard seats convert to the bed position at

a slightly lower height. This allows the suites bed to overlap the foot wells of the standard beds.



The passenger is offered a choice between a private suite and a basic lie-flat bed which is comparable to

many high efficiency lie flat products. The B777 LOPA shown later in this presentation (pg.8) is arranged

so that the standard lie flat seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 layout, similar to the living space of Uniteds

current lie-flat business class product. The dimension between the armrests is 19 in the seated position.

In bed, when the outer armrests are dropped down to be flush with the bed surface the shoulder

clearance is 24 which nicely accommodates sleeping.

Passenger Benefits


As the seat transitions into the bed mode the seat bottom & back lower to the ottoman height which is 10

inches from the floor. This is slightly lower than most seat kinematics which usually are 12 to 16 inches

from the floor. The lower positioning of the bed provides two advantages. The first is more vertical space

in the foot well to better accommodate crossed legs and raised knees while maintaining an armrest

console height of just under twenty five inches which is typical.

Passenger Benefits continued


Airline Benefits

The second advantage is for improved step over ingress/egress for the window or center seats. Through

studies with our mock-up, the improvement in ingress/egress is very significant. To aid this even further, a

step feature was added that is between the two seats but still under the premium suites shell overhang as

to not impede ingress/egress when in the upright position. The combination of the 8 inch step and the

lower bed height allows even a small stature person to cross someone side sleeping. With typical high

positioned ottomans/beds, step over is all but impossible for smaller stature passengers.



The suites which overlap the lower leg area of the standard lie-flat seats are configured in this

particular LOPA in a 1-2-1 layout. Since the area above the standard seat foot wells is approximately

48 x 80 inches the perceived space is comparable to a typical, full width 80+ inch pitched first class

suite. In the version of the concept shown here, the bed is deployed from the housing area just

behind the recliner seat backrest. The recliners backrest would be flipped forward to allow the bed to

be deployed. The bed surface itself would essentially rest just above the armrests/ standard seat foot

wells making for a bed height of approximately 27 to 29 inches depending on mattress cushion

thickness. The bed shown is 34 inches wide the entire length and it has 4 inches of padded overhang

along the window/center divider side & 7 inches towards the aisle which lends greatly to the

spaciousness of the suite. Even with this extra area there is still room to provide a sliding privacy

panel to fully enclose the suite.



As is typical in first class suites, the ottoman can serve as a companion seat for dining or meeting with

another passenger.

Certification Feasibility

There is already a certified seat kinematic which fulfils the lower bed & upper bed (alternate

approach to the page 6 description) requirements (Sogerma Equinox). Overall, the concept should

not likely pose significant certification issues.



Closet

Galley Galley

Lav

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Airline Benefits Cont.The airline benefits by being able to offer the choices while maintaining a seat count density which is

substantially higher than any current configurations allow. This is due to fact that current bed

arrangements are nearly all arranged in a single 2D plane. This configuration also allows greater

seat count density than the only lie flat seat which divides the cabins beds into 2 planes which is

Sogermas Equinox 3D seat. This is due to a more efficient overlapping of the standard seats foot

well area. By layering the beds in the Formation concept, passenger space is uniquely preserved.

The concept is well suited to other aircraft types as well. The higher density 1-2-1 suite and 2-4-2

standard lie flat arrangement is suitable for the A350, A380 main deck & B777. A more spacious

but less dense arrangement of 1-1-1 and 2-2-2 would work well for the A330, A380 upper deck &

B787. For single aisle, a 1-1 suite and 2-2 standard lie flat arrangement would be a very

compelling product offering for the increasingly competitive US coast to coast markets.

Airline Benefits


Total Lie Flat Seats : 57

Total Lie Flat Standard seats: 46

Total Lie Flat Suites : 11

37 seats Zone A 20 seats Zone B

In the B777 LOPA described here, which includes zone A and 170 of Zone B allocated to seating,

an overall seat gain of 17 lie-flat seats is achieved compared to a typical staggered or herringbone

LOPA (see next page). The cabin is comprised of 46 standard lie flat seats and 11 of the premium

suites. The flexibility for an airline to be able to offer 11 premium suites and still have a higher count

of standard lie flat seats has the potential to be a game changer.

Minimum aisle width below 25: 17.7

Minimum aisle width above 25: 20.5

Lie Flat Standard bed length: 75

Lie Flat Suite bed length: 80 (84+ if using diagonal measure)

LOPA Analysis & Comparison: B777 Zone A & 170 of Zone B

Formation Seating System


Total Lie Flat Seats : 40

LOPA Analysis & Comparison: B777 Zone A & 170 of Zone B

Sogerma Solstys Seat

28 seats Zone A 12 seats Zone B

The Sogerma Solstys seat is one of the leading staggered lie flat seat configurations on the market.

The version shown is based on a 75 bed length. As you may notice, the seats as shown in zone A

are slightly too long as configured. However, the shown pass through area could be reduced from

its current 11 down to 10 to allow this LOPA to fit as shown.

Lie Flat bed length: 75



View of the B777 interior with

the high density 2-4-2 /1-2-1

LOPA.

Up to 43% higher lie-flat seat

count over Staggered &

Herringbone LOPAs

Up to 36% higher lie-flat seat

count over nested V or

parallel 2-2-2

Up to 50% more combined

usable bed surface area

All seated positions at the

standard seat height


A view of the center seating

clusters showing both center

suites, one in the seat deployed

position and one converted to

the sleeping berth. The center

privacy divider is shown

deployed & the suite door is

closed on the suite converted to

the berth.


This view shows the center seat cluster with both of the premium suites in the seated mode with the

center privacy divider lowered.


This view shows the center seat cluster with both of the premium suites in the berth mode with the



This view shows the center seat cluster with both of the premium suites in the seated mode with the



A view of the center seating clusters showing both the seated premium seat and one converted to

the sleeping berth. The center privacy divider is shown deployed & the suite door is closed on the

seat converted to the berth.


This view shows the center seat cluster with both of the premium suites in the berth mode with the



Thank You!

For more information on the concept, including custom LOPA configurations for your particular

aircraft please contact:

Robert Henshaw

Phone: +1 (678) 648 1797

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-henshaw-3149055

mailto:[email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-henshaw-3149055


Patents Pending & Granted

Formation High Density LOPA

1-2-1, 2-4-2

Total seat count: 57 11 Lie Flat Suites

Bed length: 80+

Area: 18.25 sq.

46 Lie Flat Standard Seats

Bed length: 75

Area: 10.08 sq.


Staggered LOPA 1-2-1

Total seat count: 40

Loss of 17 seats compared to Formation High Density

Bed length: 75

Area: 10.76 sq.


Staggered LOPA 1-2-1


Total bed area = 4302

ft. of bed surface

VS 6642

ft. for the Formation High Density LOPA

Bed length: 75

Area: 10.76 sq.


Nested V LOPA 2-2-2


Loss of 15 seats compared to Formation High Density

25.4

Bed length: 78

Area: 10.55 sq.


Nested V LOPA 2-2-2


Total bed area = 4432

ft. of bed surface

VS 6642

ft. for the Formation High Density LOPA

25.4

Bed length: 78

Area: 10.55 sq.


Q & A


Formation High Comfort LOPA

1-1-1, 2-2-2

Total seat count: 43 9 Lie Flat Suites

Bed length: 80+

Area: 25.56 sq.

34 Lie Flat Standard seats

Bed length: 77

Area: 12.69 sq.


Documents

Formation Lie-Flat Cabin Conceptnews.formationdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Formation... · Formation Lie-Flat Cabin Concept ... The B777 LOPA shown later in this presentation