Researchers Developing Climate-Controlled Airline Seats
Flying: it's terrifying because you're completely out of control. Even of your personal climate. Too cold? Too bad, you should have brought a jacket. Enter researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, who are trying to apply the same climate controlled seats found in cars nicer than mine to airline flights. Will I stealthily turn your chair's heater up all the way to make your ass sweat? Yes. Plus steal a couple airplane bottles from the beverage cart as it passes.
Core to the plan is changing how we get/feel fresh air in our seats. New seats would have air inlets in the armrests and back of seats that are moderated so users can't see or hear the airflow. The seats would have humidity controls so that the built in air doesn't leave you feeling dry -- unless you want it that way.
As if that wasn't enough, researchers say the new seats will have built in heaters just like your car, and ventilation that wicks moisture away from the body.
No word if seat cushions will still double as personal flotation devices in the event of a water landing, but my guess is you should just be thankful they stopped serving in-flight meals. You don't want to cramp up when you're treading water for dear life.
Thanks to shredz, who only flies ultra-economy (read: tranquilizes himself and has a friend ship him to his destination in a big box).
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