James Lee · CLIENT: Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions Limited
Butterfly is a flexible aircraft seating system that allows transformation between premium economy seats and business class flatbed suites. Each Butterfly suite contains two reclining seats staggered relative to each other, and both seats together are sold as premium economy. Cabin crew can flip the window seat over to form a side couch, creating a business class suite for one passenger. Flipping the aisle seat as well creates a large flat surface for sleeping. The system lets operators adjust the cabin to changing demand and use floor space efficiently.
Press Kit
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Patents
- Patented
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