Butterfly Fluchgeréitssëtz by James Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award an Sëlwer in Gefier, Mobilitéit an Transportdesign Competition Category.

SëlwerGefier· 2020

Butterfly Fluchgeréitssëtz

by James Lee

Client: Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions Limited

A' Design Award an Sëlwer Winner in Gefier Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #88997

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The Design

About Butterfly Fluchgeréitssëtz

Butterfly ass e flexibelt Fluchgeréitssëtzsystem dee 'd Transformatioun tëscht Premium-Economy-Sëtzer a Business-Class-Fluchbett-Suiten erméiglecht. All Butterfly-Suite enthält zwee zréckklappbar Sëtzer déi versat zueneen ugeuerdent sinn, an déi zwee Sëtzer zesumme ginn als Premium Economy verkaaft. D'Kabinnepersonal kann de Fënstersëtz ëmklappen fir eng Säitecouch ze bilden, wat eng Business-Class-Suite fir ee Passagéier erschaaft. Wann een och den Gangsëtz ëmklappt, entsteet eng grouss flaach Fläch fir ze schlofen. De System léisst d'Betreiber d'Kabinn un déi verännerlech Nofro upassen an d'Buedemfläch effizient notzen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Sëlwer

Butterfly Fluchgeréitssëtz ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Sëlwer, enger aussergewéinlech prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un Designe vun der héchster Qualitéit, prächteg a beandrockend vergi gëtt. Sëlwer-Gewënner si bemierkenswäert brillant a ganz kreativ Wierker, déi d'erausragend Expertise, d'Talent an d'Schaarfsënnegkeet vun hire Designer weisen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Butterfly Fluchgeréitssëtz e wonnerbart, mustergëlteg, bemierkenswäert professionellt an déif innovatiivt Wierk ass. Dëst mam Sëlwer ausgezeechent Design ass eng bemierkenswäert, bewonnert Erfindung, déi dozou bäidréit, d'Grenze vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie ze erweideren. Butterfly Fluchgeréitssëtz ass eng Kreatioun, op déi vill neidesch sinn, déi Wënsch erweckt, positiv Gefiller bréngt an Erstaunen a Wonner erweckt.

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