Could a “paperclip” mean the end of the armrest wars?

by Scott Carmichael on

We’ve all been there – battling with your seatmate for that 2 inch wide piece of plastic that separates you. I have no idea what airline seat designers were thinking when they decided to design the armrest the way it is, but it sucks.

Of course, the current armrest was designed years ago, and part of the design consideration was that it could hold an ashtray, something that nobody has needed on an airplane for a long time.

A new design called the “paperclip armrest design” may finally bring a workable solution to the problem. The spit level design offers some armrest space for each passenger.

The concept was designed by Jame Lee, a 25 year old management trainee with Cathay Pacific Airlines. It isn’t actually available for airplanes yet, as it is awaiting patent approval.

The main problem I see with the design is that it does not leave any room for the headset connector or recline button. Then again, given how many passengers hate having a seat reclined in their face, that button may be the next thing on the chopping block.

Cathay Pacific Freezes Recruiting Because of Low Demand

by Josh Lew on

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has always been one of the world’s top airlines. But the ever-lower demand for air travel has touched them as it has every other airline. An article in an internal publication distributed to Cathay’s employees two weeks ago announced that there will be a company-wide recruiting freeze. No layoffs yet, but the hiring stoppage will include Cathay’s subsidiary, Dragonair. The freeze was confirmed today.

That means no fresh faces in an airline that is famous for its top-notch service (and leggy, poised flight attendants). Exec Tony Tyler remains optimistic that the industry, and Cathay, will return to their old ways in short order. ”I remain unashamedly optimistic about the future of aviation in Asia – just think of the potential in China and India alone.”

Cathay, like the regions other major players, is straining on its leash, waiting to carve out its space in new, lucrative routes in China and on the subcontinent. They just have to make it through these slow times intact.

[Via The Standard HK]