Air 4 All

PriestmanGoode sets out to revolutionise air travel for passengers with reduced mobility.

London-based design consultancy PriestmanGoode has unveiled Air 4 All, a new seating system that enables passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) to remain in their wheelchairs on board a commercial aircraft.

Developed in partnership with campaign group Flying Disabled and aircraft safety company SWS Certification, the concept – which is currently in the prototype stage – has three main objectives: to enable PRM to have equal access to a safe, comfortable and dignified air travel experience; to drive practical improvements in the aircraft cabin and overall aviation transport experience for PRM; and to set a new standard for the provision of accessible air travel.

Designed specifically for commercial flights with a narrowbody 2+2 configuration, Air 4 All comprises a folding seat that allows powered wheelchairs to lock into place with the assistance of a guide track on the floor. Working in a similar way to Isofix in passenger cars, the system is compatible with various powered wheelchair types and can interface with a wide range of airline seats. This configuration would allow up to two wheelchair users per row to travel on a single flight, and furthermore, if not required, the seats function as regular airline seats.

“Air 4 All will usher in a step change in the industry and finally offer equal access to comfort, safety and dignity for all passengers,” comments Paul Priestman, designer and Chairman of PriestmanGoode. “The biggest barrier in the past has been that giving greater space to passengers in wheelchairs would have reduced seat count and resulted in a loss of revenue for airlines. Air 4 All solves this problem and has the added benefit of enabling airlines to retain the design of their cabin on every seat, ensuring brand consistency and a cohesive brand experience for all passengers. Air 4 All will facilitate a smoother boarding and disembarking experience for PRM and will also significantly reduce the number of wheelchairs that are damaged through poor handling.”