A Chinese airline’s introduction of ultra-thin seats has sparked a fierce debate in the industry. The new design aims to increase passenger capacity while allegedly offering more space.
On Thursday, local media reports, including Nengyuan Network, revealed that China Southern Airlines recently unveiled ultra-thin seats, which are half the thickness of standard aircraft seats.
The redesigned seating allows the airline to add 14 to 28 more seats per aircraft, potentially boosting annual revenue by up to 300 million CNY (about 40.97 million USD).
However, passenger feedback has been largely negative. Some reported discomfort, with one stating that the thin seatback caused pain in their back and waist, while another likened the experience to sitting in a modern torture device for the entire 2.5-hour flight.
While not all reviews were negative, some passengers noted increased legroom, and others found the seats tolerable on shorter flights.
Safety experts have raised concerns about the ultra-thin design. One aviation safety specialist warned that excessively thin aircraft seats may not adequately absorb external shocks.
Sugiye Hiroshi, a former pilot turned aviation critic, echoed these concerns in a Fuji TV interview. He expressed worry about the seats’ ability to absorb strong impacts during turbulence or landing, potentially risking passenger safety.
In response to the growing controversy, China Southern Airlines defended its design. The carrier stated that safety was prioritized in the seat manufacturing process and emphasized that the seat pitch remains unchanged, offering passengers more personal space.
China Southern Airlines also highlighted the seats’ ergonomic design, claiming it conforms to passengers’ body contours for improved comfort.
