Having recently returned from a 17-hour, international flight accompanied by several friends, I was frustrated at the inability to chat with my fellow travelers to help pass the long hours. Some friends were sitting directly behind me but conversation was inhibited by the high seat backs and the constraints of the seatbelt. It made me recall my experience with swivel seats on long-distance, train travel in Japan.

Optional swivel seats in Coach would enable passengers to turn their seats to face the persons sitting behind them. The default setting would be face-forward (and required during takeoff and landing), but after the pilot turns off the seatbelt sign, passengers could opt to turn their seats. This would be especially appealing to friends, families, co-workers and classmates traveling together. Additionally, if there is no one sitting behind, passengers could turn their seats to rest their feet on the opposite seat (the airline would provide disposable seat covers). As far as tray tables and video screens, these would be installed in the arms of the seats (as in emergency row seats) so that these features would not be lost if the seat was swiveled.

Due to space constraints, this idea may only work for 2-seat rows along the windows (in which both seats would need to swivel together), but it has the potential to make long, flight travel much more enjoyable for group travelers.

What do you think of this idea or comment?
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