Dezeen Magazine

Priestmangoode overhauls aircraft interior to include more carry-on luggage space

Industrial design studio Priestmangoode has released plans for an aeroplane cabin interior with room for every passenger to store hand baggage in the overhead compartments (+ movie).

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

Fights over luggage room are common on many aeroplanes, where overhead compartment space is at a premium. Late arrivals regularly have their larger carry-on items placed in the hold because space has run out in the cabin.

Unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in England yesterday, Priestmangoode's aircraft interior for Brazilian aeroplane manufacturer Embraer aims to relieve this issue by increasing the capacity of the overhead bins by 40 per cent.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

As a result, each passenger would be able to fit one piece of airline-standard carry-on luggage into the bins when lifted in wheels first.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

"Improving carry on luggage capacity was crucial," cofounder Paul Priestman told Dezeen. "During the research process, we spoke to air stewards about the complaints they often hear from passengers, and one of those was passengers not being able to have their bags in the bin right over their seat."

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

Legs have been removed between the seats so larger luggage items can be stored beneath the seats.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

"Our ambition from the start was to enhance the passenger experience, as well as improve efficiency and maintenance," he added.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

The studio's single-aisle design for the E-Jets E2 features two seats each side throughout the cabin.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

To give passengers more personal space, the team integrated individual power supply units (PSU) – which currently have a patent pending – above each seat.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

This would allow each passenger to control their own lighting and air conditioning without disturbing their neighbours.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

"Our aim was to increase personal territory and enable passengers to reclaim their own space," said Priestman.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

Staggered first-class seating offers more privacy and allows the same seat tracks to be used throughout the plane, reducing the weight.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

This also means that airlines can reconfigure the interior to suit demand more easily.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

Window openings have been designed to appear wider, creating the feeling of more space.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

"The inside windows are larger than the outside windows, which creates a tunnel like vision and gives the appearance of bigger windows overall," explained Priestman.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

The lavatories include hand rails integrated into the walls and a mirror set back to optimise space.

A full-scale mockup of the design was shown at this year's Farnborough Air Show, which continues until 18 July.

Priestmangoode airline interior for Embraer

Priestmangoode previously designed the interior for the Embraer Lineage 1000 executive jet. The firm also created the first-class cabin for Brazilian airline TAM, which includes sofas and wardrobes, and a conceptual airline seat with a detachable wheelchair.