Butterfly Asiento de Avión by James Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award de Plata in Diseño de Vehículos, Movilidad y Transporte Competition Category.

PlataVehículo· 2020

Butterfly Asiento de Avión

by James Lee

Client: Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions Limited

A' Design Award de Plata Winner in Vehículo Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #88997

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The Design

About Butterfly Asiento de Avión

Butterfly es un sistema de asientos de avión flexible que permite la transformación entre asientos de clase económica premium y suites cama de clase ejecutiva. Cada suite Butterfly contiene dos asientos reclinables dispuestos de forma escalonada uno respecto al otro, y ambos asientos se venden juntos como clase económica premium. La tripulación de cabina puede voltear el asiento de ventanilla para formar un sofá lateral, creando así una suite de clase ejecutiva para un solo pasajero. Al voltear también el asiento del pasillo se obtiene una amplia superficie plana para dormir. El sistema permite a los operadores adaptar la cabina a la demanda cambiante y aprovechar el espacio disponible de manera eficiente.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Plata

Butterfly Asiento de Avión ha ganado el A' Design Award de Plata, un reconocimiento extraordinariamente prestigioso concedido a diseños de gama alta, magníficos e impresionantes. Los ganadores de Plata son obras tremendamente brillantes y sumamente creativas que ilustran la destacada experiencia, el talento y la agudeza de sus diseñadores. Se espera que Butterfly Asiento de Avión sea una obra maravillosa y emblemática, notablemente profesional y profundamente innovadora. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Plata es una invención muy notable y admirada que beneficia y hace avanzar las fronteras del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología. Butterfly Asiento de Avión es una creación enormemente envidiada que evoca deseos, aporta sentimientos positivos y despierta asombro y admiración.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Butterfly is a flexible aircraft seating system that allows instant transformation between premium economy and business class flatbed suites. The concept enables operators to adjust their cabin configuration to real-time market changes, allowing them to make efficient use of valuable floor-space, increase aircraft utilization and reduce business risk. It also gives passengers new ways to configure their own space, whether it is a cosy private retreat or a family-friendly social space.
Tags: Aircraft Seating, Flexibility, Transform, Airline, Business class, Premium Economy
Inspiration: Demand is never constant, yet aircraft configurations are usually fixed. As a passenger, I often noticed wasted space on flights. Sometimes economy class is overbooked but business class is rather empty, sometimes the opposite occurs. And as someone who have once worked in an airline, I reckon the need for an adaptable seat that can react to changing market demand. The implication to the operational efficiency is transformative, much like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
Project Duration: The project started in 2014 in Hong Kong and is still ongoing.
Operation Flow: Each Butterfly suite is made of two reclining seats staggered relative to each other. When both seats are used, they are sold as premium economy class. Airline crew can flip the window seat over to form a side couch, which turns it into a long-haul business class suite for one passenger. When the aisle seat is flipped over as well, it forms a flat surface continuous with the side couch, which together forms a large sleeping surface long enough for a passenger to lie flat diagonally.
Patents: Patented
Team Members: James Lee
Vincent Tam
Lars Rinne