Airbus calls for wider seats for better passenger sleep

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus is calling on the aviation industry to set a minimum seat width of 18 inches for long-haul planes.

The call comes after it commissioned The London Sleep Centre to carry out research into sleep quality and seat width.

The company says that many manufacturers use seat widths of just 17 inches.

But the study found that a minimum seat width of 18 inches improved passenger sleep by 53 per cent compared with 17-inch seats.

Researcher Dr Irshaad Ebrahim told the Daily Mail: "The difference was significant. All passengers experienced a deeper, less disturbed and longer night's sleep in the 18-inch seat.

"When it comes to flying long haul in economy, an inch makes a huge difference on passenger comfort."

Kevin Keniston, Airbus' head of passenger comfort, told Sky News: "If the aviation industry doesn't take a stand right now then we risk jeopardising passenger comfort into 2045 and beyond, especially if you take into account aircraft delivery timetables combined with expected years in service.

"Which means another generation of passengers will be consigned to seats which are based on outdated standards."

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