Matthew B Parkinson, Thesis Supervisor Cengiz Camci, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
aerospace passengers airplanes design
Abstract:
This research focuses on the quantification of the relationship between airplane seat width and
passenger comfort. Prior research has focused on pilot or passenger spatial requirements related
to fit. For example, former efforts have focused on aircraft cockpit design for pilots. Pilot body
size and shape—anthropometry—plays a vital role when it comes to designing the cockpit as
it influences aircraft performance. As air travel has increased, it has been shown that low cost
carriers tend to reduce passenger comfort with an eye toward increasing airplane capacity. This
new work will help designers and airlines as they make decisions about aircraft layout. It provides a
basis for multi-variable fit in commercial airplanes that looks into passenger comfort levels based
on airplane seat design. It considers enhancing current seat models of comfort through a study
including varied human participants.
