Is this the future of commercial air travel?

FROM the badass creative minds who have designed the interiors of Boeing planes since 1946, come three fresh ideas that could change flying economy forever.

FLYING can be a miserable experience for the economy class flyer. The tiny seats, the baggage fees, the lack of overhead storage and the exorbitant cost to change flights can make you wonder why you wanted to take a trip in the first place.

But the bright minds at Teague, a global design consultancy headquartered in Seattle, have come up with three surprising ideas that could make flying way better.

At this weeks Airline Passenger Experience Association conference in Portland, Oregon, Teague discussed its concept for fictional airline called Poppi with US magazineFast Company.

“Our scenario was, what if we created a start-up airline, in the mode of Airbnb or Uber?” Teague principal brand strategist Devin Liddell told Fast Company.

“If we started an airline from scratch, what would we do?”

Their ideas are controversial, but will probably gain a lot of support from frustrated flyers.

BAN CARRY ON

How many times have you been flabbergasted by the passenger with a giant trolley that contains everything but the kitchen sink?

To avoid problems, such as full overhead bins and cranky travellers who have been forced to fork out to check-in their weighty carry-on, Liddell says ditch carry-on bags altogether.

“The answer to the problem is right in front of us,” Liddell told Fast Company.

“The answer is not to have bags at all in the cabin. You can have personal items, your jacket, your computer bag, but having luggage that should be checked in the cabin is totally broken.”

The overhead compartments would become smaller storage spaces made just large enough for items you carry, such as your handbag. Ditching carry-on would also allow airlines to expedite the boarding and check-in process, he said.

The idea might sounds radical, but it’s not a new one, Lindell said.

“If you look at the 707, which ushered in the jet age, that’s what they were for: a place for your hat and your briefcase, not a place to cram this gigantic rolling bag.”

But for those who absolutely can’t part with their carry-on stuff, Liddell suggest the airline could use a service where passengers must use an airline-issued bag that clicks in underneath the seat.

Airlines could also play the role of door-to-door delivery companies, where you would hop off your flight and next see your luggage at your hotel or delivered to your home.

RESELL YOUR SEAT

Teague’s idealised airline Poppi comes with an Uber-style app that would give members and easy way to resell or swap their seats. Passengers could become members of the airline and prepay for a certain number of flights per year. One way the airline could tempt travellers to do this could be by offering members the ability to either resell their seats to other members or swap seats with other passengers. Liddell points to the success of the sports world, like the NFL, which gives ticket holders a platform to trade and sell their seats.

PIMP THE MIDDLE SEAT

Everyone dreads the thought of being stuck in the middle seat, even on a short haul flight.

“The thing that vexes us is, the middle seat has always remained the punishment for booking late,” Liddell said.

One way to get around this is for airlines to sell these seats to a brand and for that company to woo passengers with a gift, discount offer or experience. Nike, for example, could offer 20 per cent off an order if you book the middle seat over the Christmas holidays.

“It makes the middle seat less sucky,” Liddell said. “I’m not in the aisle or the window, but maybe I’m in the Xbox middle seat, so I get to play prerelease games.”

Liddell’s presentation was intended to provoke discussion, which it has done on social media.

@thatjohn @devinliddell w/o cabin luggage, I can’t make sure I have the right meds & a change of clothes for when airlines lose my suitcase

— anat (@anatsuno) September 28, 2015