AIRCRAFT SEATING CONFIGURATION

Aircraft seating configuration is the system on the aircraft which distribute type , size , kind, position and other elements of seat that use in the cabin part which give the comfortable, style and service to the passengers. Nowadays, there a various configuration of seat that can be found in many airlines because each airline has their method to give the best service to the passengers and for economical reason.The seat also is configured by the seat pitch and the seat width as illustrated below:

Figure 1. Seat Pitch *indicates horizontally label Seat pitch

Figure 1

Figure 2. Seat Width*

distance between a row of seats - the measurement from the same position on two seats, one behind the other( it is NOT the legrest area as some believe).

Seat width the width is considerable to between the way of airline Figure 2 measure it whether between inside the armrests or between the distance between the middle of the armrests.

The seat position can be on the sidewalls , middle of the cabin. There are 3 major types of seat that almost used by major airlines today:
FIRST CLASS BUSINESS CLASS ECONOMY CLASS

 FIRST CLASS SEAT

I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII.

The most luxurious seat among the others seats. Operated by electrically padded legrest panels similar to those used on dentists chair. The upholstered panels would extend from below the individual seat cushion by pulled the correct lever or pushed the appropriate combination of button Provide a greater degree of seat-back recline for comfortable sleep Widder armrests,padded for comfort. Has individual reading lights Can be turnaround space for passengers to get to and from window seats without disturbing the passengers in the adjoining aisle seats. Contoured support in the headrest area at the top of the seat back. Most versatile in-flight entertainment system Elegant and useful installation furniture like work tables,bars,console and sideboards. Cover made up with wollen material and headrests made up with suede Seat configure a) Layout : 1 + 2 + 1 or 2 + 2 + 2 b) Pitch : between 72 inches(1.82metres) - 78 inches(1.98metres)

c) Width : between 21 inches(53.34cm) - 30.5 inches(77.47 cm)* *when armrests are dropped

Figure 3.First Class Seat

BUSINESS CLASS SEAT

I. II. III. IV. V. VI.

3

better luxurious seat among the others seats. Semi-automatic legrest articulates as seat reclines Convenient recline and legrest controls

Seat

back recline

Cover made up with woollen material and headrest cover made up with suede Wider than economy class

VII. VIII.

Seat back personal TV screen Seat configure a) Layout : 2 + 2 + 2 or 2 + 3 + 2 b) Pitch : between 40 inches(1.06 metres) - 50 inches(1.27 metres)

c) Width : approximately 18 inches(45.72 centimetres)

Figure 4: Business Class Seat

ECONOMY CLASS SEAT

I. II. III. IV. V. Afordable seat for all Mechanically assisted recline Cover made up with woollen material and headrest cover made up with paper disposable Seat-back personal TV screen. Seat configure a) Layout : 3 + 4 + 3 or 2 + 5 + 2 b) Pitch : 28 inches(71.12cm) - 32 inches(81.28cm) c) Width : 17 inches(43.18cm) - 18 inches(45.72cm)

Figure 5: Economy Class Seat

Malaysia Airlines Seat Configuration

Total Seat: I. First Class:12 seats II. Golden Club Class:33 seats III. Economy Class:233 seats
BOEING 777-200 Area label:

Seat Chararacteristic: I. First Class Pitch Width Recline Layout II. III. IV. II.

72 21.3 17.5 2+2+2

Golden Club/Business Class 50 14 19.8 2+3+2

Pitch Width Recline Layout

III.

Economy Class 34 7 18

Pitch Width Recline 5

Layout

2+5+2

AirAsia Seating Configuration

Airbus 320

Total seat: a. Economy Seat: 148 seats

Seat characteristics: a) Layout: 3 + 3 b) Pitch: 29 c) Width: 17

*only illustration

Airline MAS Air Asia

First* 72 -

Business* 50 -

Economy Plus -

Economy 34 29

Comparison and Economic impact Comparison of seat pitch between MAS and Air Asia

*There are changes according the newest information from MAS on first and business seat. The causes that make a different on seat pitch between MAS and Air Asia and give economic impacts on both approaches are: 1) Space Inficiency According to the table above,Air Asia is offer a less inch seat than MAS because Air Asia only offer economy seat and on this time,Air Asia also has smaller aircraft than MAS.To get a big profit,Air Asia has take an action to decrease their seat pitch which can provide a many seat on each flight.This can make many passengers to have an air travel on each time. 2) Comfortable reason MAS has provide a more long seat pitch than Air Asia which can give more comfortable travel for any continentals citizens whether Asia,Europe,African Middle East which has different size of body.This reason was maked MAS company become worldwide company for many years.

3) Fuel Cost As we known,Air Asia is a low cost fares which affordable to all people. This offer is can attract many passengers to take this offer.That is why Air Asia become an developable airlines and also get many profits.This profits is always on high from this attraction and can be use for cut down on fuel cost by less travel but full with passengers. All these causes can make different on aircraft operational cost which influenced to the companys economy.

REFERENCE:
Internet source: *http:// seatmaestro.com/types/tablaclickEN.html * http://www.airlinequality.com/Product/seats_global.htm *http:// seatguru.com. *http://cms.malaysiaairlines.com/mys/eng/flying_with_us/flying_with_u s.asp *http://v4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_item/25 _Mar_05_AirAsia.html

Book source: *Jetliner Cabins , Jennifer Couts Clay , Wiley Academy , 2003