A recent survey conducted by Cathay Pacific, one of the few five-star rated airlines, found that passengers were willing to bring their own cutlery sets on board. The survey was part of a broader initiative focused on sustainability in the aviation industry and was distributed to members of Cathay Pacific’s “Cathay Lab” online community, consisting of over 10,000 customers. In addition to bringing their own cutlery, members were also asked about recycling empty water bottles themselves, handing them to flight attendants or bringing their own. While it is unclear if these ideas will be implemented on Cathay Pacific flights, flying business class offers additional benefits such as larger seats, meal service and more amenities.
As passenger planes continue to see a reduction in legroom and seat size, some aircraft may be undergoing improvements. Italian Aerospace company Optimares has introduced a new aircraft seat that can transform into a bed for long-haul flights. Known as the “SoFab,” these new seats feature an ottoman and leg rest that can be easily released to create a bed. The space-optimized extension increases the surface area of the seat by 25%, making it comparable to a twin bed in size. These seats are also lighter than standard aircraft seats which can help reduce fuel consumption during flights. While the SoFab seats have not yet been incorporated into any aircraft designs, they represent a promising development in air travel comfort and efficiency.
