The Double-Decker Airplane Seat.

Startup reveals a double-decker plane seat – and claims it gives passengers more legroom than standard chairs.

Top or bottom — you might finding yourself asking this question when booking a plane seat in future. If airlines adopt this double-decker seat design, that is.

Alejandro Núñez Vicente, a 23-year-old Spanish man, went viral last year for his space-saving seat design for those travelling in economy class. His design has come under the spotlight once again following his showcase at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 in Germany.

At 1.88m, Vicente experienced many flights with minimal leg room. He then came up with the idea of elevating the seat row in front, so as to provide more leg space for passengers.

Doing away with overhead compartments in the plane, his design involves storing luggage under the seats, allowing for more space in the higher row seats.

While his design won the Muse Design Awards last year, not all appear to be on board with his novel idea. Some said the double-decker seats made them feel claustrophobia. Others were amused and cracked jokes such as “If that girl farts, it’s going right into that guy’s face”.

Although the prototype has been out for some time and many airline companies have shown interest in the design, Vicente says that it would take time for his vision to come into fruition.