Butterfly 飛機座椅 by James Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 車輛、出行及交通運輸設計 Competition Category.

銀車輛· 2020

Butterfly 飛機座椅

by James Lee

Client: Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions Limited

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 車輛 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #88997

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The Design

About Butterfly 飛機座椅

Butterfly係一套靈活嘅飛機座椅系統，可以喺特選經濟艙座椅同商務艙平躺套間之間互相轉換。每個Butterfly套間包含兩張互相錯位排列嘅斜躺座椅，兩張座椅一齊出售就係特選經濟艙。機艙服務員可以將靠窗座椅翻轉，形成一張側邊梳化，為單一乘客打造商務艙套間。連埋走廊座椅一齊翻轉，就可以形成一個大型平面用嚟瞓覺。呢套系統令營運商可以根據不斷變化嘅需求調整客艙，並且高效運用地面空間。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Butterfly 飛機座椅是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Butterfly 飛機座椅將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Butterfly 飛機座椅是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

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