And how is a bed that isn't disinfected different than a seat that isn't disinfected exactly? I'm sure they'd use the same type of material they use for seats. If you're afraid of the pillows, bring your own. The pillows they USED to give out on planes weren't clean either.
Besides, germs/bacteria don't survive long on soft surfaces. They prefer hard surfaces.

@JohnMc: Actually, I was thinking "slave ship". Hopefully they won't tie you to your bed (or leave the seatbelt sign lit the entire flight) and make you lie in your own excrement. Well, maybe only on Northwest...

@Pelagius:

I agree. I would never go for this. Plus, you know that the bed and pillows aren't going to be cleaned and disinfected between flights. Nasty. Nasty. Nasty. *Shudders*

Maybe it's morbid and/or insensitive of me to say this, but I'd be more than humored to see an Overeater's Anonymous convention take up a good portion of this section, while having them hog up all the snacks at what I'd assume would (of some reason in my head) a snack machine, complete with soda vendor...

...maybe then would I take full use of the alcohol onboard...

On the other hand, it might make joining the Mile High Club easier.

Wouldn't this be like flying coffins?

Oh god...that gave me a horrifying thought.

It's bad enough being crammed between two hugely fat people on a flight (NEVER AGAIN. YOU CAN BUY TWO FUCKING SEATS, YOU CANNOT USE PART OF MINE!)

What if you're under one? It might not be as uncomfortable, but it could be frightening. I mean how strong are these bunks? Would they bend or creak under 450 pounds of flab?

Also, I think in a crash I'd want to be in the center row. I mean, I'd rather take the impact feet first than taking it in the ribs.

UGH.

An Army barracks with wings.

but it seems like a good idea. it's gotta be more comfortable than those stupid coach seats.

Plus, 747s do have a lot more windows than a C-130 (and I know exactly how C-130s are laid out).

Your problem was that your ears swore you were moving but your eyes said you were not. Instant airsickness. I think some Dramamine before boarding would have helped you.

Those of you who are worried about farts, must never have shared a seat next to a "stereotypical" European who does not believe in frequent bathing. A fart would be a breath of fresh air!

Funny stuff aside, I would be booking all my flights to Europe on Lufthansa. I already book most of them with Lufthansa anyway, as their economy section is better than anything else I've flown.

I don't mind Europe, I just mind getting there. I can't sleep in a seat that is only 15 inches wide, and my legs cramp. I THINK I could probably handle laying down for the majority of the flight - it sure has to be better than sitting on your a$$ with no elbow room for 10 hours.

Video Ipods are a must for an international traveler who wants to watch movies because the inflight movies suck. As long as there is a power plug to charge your Ipod, I could deal with this AND probably get some sleep. I certainly think this is worth mocking up and trying out. I think it would catch on.

Lie-flat (though small) bed + Ambien CR = well-rested upon arrival and no boredom

From the article:
"The bunk beds would be transformed from seats after take off and would cost around £120 more than a flexible economy fare.

They would be linked to the flight entertainment system but would be unlikely to include a meal service, other than a light snack and bottled water from the buffet, because passengers booking them would be anxious to get their heads down to sleep as quickly as possible.

The bunk beds would have to be approved by the international safety authorities, who would consider ease of evacuation in an emergency."

@JohnMc:

Actually the Holocaust was a genocide against Jews and other groups spurred by Hitler. The German air force also conducted medical experiments while keeping political prisoners in deplorable conditions while propandizing it to the press.

This discussion is about a potential option for in flight sleeping on long haul flights utilizing triple bunk beds on the lower portion of an aircraft.

I don't believe the flight crew would have any incentive to kill you. Also these are most likely international flights, hence the U.N. would probably get involved should passengers wind up dead of missing upon landing in other countries.

@thirdgen: Yeah I can tell you from experiance I was flown out of Saudi Arabia on a Nightingale flight which was a DC-9 on a stretcher, If I hadn't been so heavily sedated I would have totally been sick on takeoff and turbulance....killer when your laying down. I think its a good idea but needs serious work. @JohnMc: nice... they can have "flying makes you free" over the hatch.

I saw the picture and all I could think of were vignettes from two movies -- 'Coma' or 'Holocaust'. I mean look at it. It looks like something right out of the camps. I could imagine that once you got snuggled in the camp guard, er stewardess, would come along and gas you with some sort of knockout emission.

Think of the uplift charges they could apply. Oh, steel wire hard on the back? A mattress is $5 extra. Oh, want sheets, that's $4. Pillow? $2. Chocolate and a turn down -- priceless.

Interesting that Lufthansa is the one suggesting this, if you get my parallel. Think I will pass.

I am all for it, as long as the seat goes up at my will, and not the will of the airline. I don't want to have an imposed bedtime.

WT?
I dont fly but if i did i would prefer to be sitting up if the jet had to crash land. Those beds look like theres not much room to lay on. That would have to be clostrophobes nightmare.

@Sidecutter: Yes.
@AnitraSmith: Agreed, though, and let's add "mouth breathers with halitosis" and "people who kick seats" to that list.

I wish that the airlines' intentions were truly to provide long-haul passengers with more comfort, but I fear it will be sold to us that way, yet executed in the most uncomfortable, least appealing, most profitable manner possible.

The best solution would be to fly less, but that would involve getting a different (less well-paying) job and convincing all family members to move within driving distance.

In addition, those bunks look more vertically roomy than the ones I had to deal with when I used to go sailing as a teenager. You might not be able to sit up all the way, but it would certainly afford you a larger range of positions than the current sardine-seats.

If only the people on this site spent as much time complaining about bad customer service to CEOs as they do complaining to each other about children.

downsides: old men farting in your face, inability to escape a burning wreck, etc.

How the heck are you going to evacuate the plane in an emergency when the people are stacked 3 high and horizontal. Getting everyone up and out of those cots will take considerably longer than seats.

That photo reminds me of the photos of steerage class in the old oceanliners.

No thanks.

In beds people are likely to take their shoes off-- unpleasant. And people can't control their farts when they sleep.

Fat people will not be able to fit in the beds nor purchase two "seats" to accomodate their bulk.

major personal injury liability issue from people falling off ladders and top beds.

I think one of the best solutions is an arrangement where passengers are standing, or have a perch to lean on.

Come on guys, read everything before commenting. The seats recline flat after take-off (look in the pciture). You won't be lying flat for take-off or landing, and will probably be able to sit up during the flight when you want.

in theory, great idea.

in practice, nightmare.

the only way this could really work would be to provide more space and privacy but this would complete undo the reason for wanting to stack customers instead of giving full reclining seats.

just make long international or cross country flights with a optional seating section that has full reclining seats. Not first class, but something of an enhanced coach or business class. This would cost a little more and the demand would be high, but still some people are always looking to save a buck and they can continue to use regular seats with limited reclining ability.

Anyone else read this and only hear "Now we can pack even more of you into the same plane, and we don't have to feed you on that 13 hour flight anymore, either!"?

I concur with other points too. What if I want to sit up? What if I want to use my laptop or play a handheld game (with headphones, of course)? Not everything in the world is comfortable, or possible, to do lying on your side or back...

It is very unsettling to be strapped to a cot with no view of a window (C-130's have something like 10 windows total in the cabin) during take off, not knowing if the plane is actually moving or not.

Another time I was a mock MedEvac patient (also on a C-130). The loadmasters put me in a cot underneath a 250+ pounds girl. Her cot dipped to the point where maybe I had 6 inches between my body and hers. We didn't fly in this particular exercise, but the scenario would have involved approximately 20 hours of flight time. My hats go off to the troops who have to endure a trip from Iraq like that, some while grievously injured. Personally, I would never be a passenger on any airline that forced me to lie in a cot.

//Civil Air Patrol FTW

I would love to have a chance to lie flat- it seems comparable to a couchette in a European night train. I'd take this option to cross the atlantic anytime.

According to my girlfriend, I both snore and fart in my sleep.

So yeah, I'm all for this.

If they set it up like any of the capsule hotels in Japan, I'm game.

Only if noise is minimized and the only dual-occupancy allowed is with a child or pet. But then, even if I couldn't sleep due to light/lack of doors/insufficient comfort, I'd be quite happy to lie there and read.

I'd fly on Lufthansa if they do this -- especially if I could get Internet access on the flight, too.

This would sure be great during those eight-hour waits on the tarmac .

I think it's a good concept. Will top bunk become the new window seat?

"And that completes my final report until we reach touchdown. We're now on full automatic, in the hands of the computers. I have tucked my crew in for the long sleep and I'll be joining them soon."

And everyone knows how that works out...

Your laptop can fit in my proposed cubbie above your feet.

This is a well worn and tested idea used in European trains, drawing on the idea of a couchette, or a very cheap sleeper compartment, usually 6 bunks to a room. It might be disconcerting given American sensibilities about privacy, but traveling in Europe, these were extremely cheap given the exponential improvement yielded in terms of comfort.

Yeah. I really look forward to having the ass of my fellow passenger hovering inches above my face, to having their stinky feet dangling by my nose and watching the drip-drip-drip from their incontinent kids above me.

I just flew back from Russia and - while unsuccessfully trying to sleep in my coach seat - wondered why there couldn't be some bed configuration of beds that would more efficiently and comfortably accomodate customers.

It looks like Lufthansa is one step ahead already.

@Murph1908: You seriously think I am not going to have a carry-on bag? What universe do you come from? Do airlines never lose luggage there? Do travelers never use laptops there? Geesh.

Like a little drip tube and food pellets? Where's the exercise wheel? Is fresh bedding provided and changed weekly?

Flat cots that don't recline. Tiny pillows not washed between flights. No barriers between anyone and anyone else. Have to climb a ladder if you're in the top bunk and you have to pee. Reminds me of a morgue.

The suspended animation tubes in spaceships in old science fiction movies looked a damn sight more comfortable than this.

"What if you want to sit up for a while?"

Too bad. How is that any worse than "What if you want to lay down for a while" in the current system? I'd rather be forced to lay down for 8 hours than sit up in a cramped chair for the same amount of time.

"Where does the carry-on baggage go?"

Nowhere. They could put a small cubbie hole or netting above your feet to hold your book, MP3 player, snacks, or other small items. What else do you need to carry on anyway?

I would choose a plane like this on flights as short as 3 hours, understanding the 'limitations' addressed above.

Flying to the Philippines would`ve been so much easier like this...

Sweet! Trucker beds!

That's when the whores come.

Kind of reminds me of the movie The Fifth Element.

in practice, nightmare.

Sign me up. I'm already a Lufthansa frequent flier; all the more reason to fly them.

I would love this for long flights.

It'd probably be more plausible if things were more segregated, but due to space concerns, I'd doubt they'd do such a thing.