Experience Design in Flight
May 30th, 2007
During my recent flight to Germany on Lufthansa Airlines, I noticed a peculiar addition to the traditional tray on the back of the chair in front of me.
I popped it open and realized it was a cup-holder.
I have never seen this type of cup holder design on an airplane tray before, and thought to myself, “That’s a great idea for an improved user experience.” I can’t even estimate how many times in the past I’ve observed travelers who need to get out of their seats, or retrieve something from under the seat in front of them, with nowhere to put their drinks. This design also prevents drinks from spilling in heavy turbulence.
By adding just a small convenience, Lufthansa Airlines made my flight experience much more enjoyable. I didn’t have to deal with spilled drinks in my lap, the awkward use of my neighbor’s tray, or the guzzling down of my drink. [I'm usually travelling on Boeing planes, but I was flying on one of Lufthansa’s Airbus A340-300s, so if you've seen these on other airlines, let me know.]
How is your design team “thinking small” to achieve greater customer satisfaction?
May 30th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
That’s a great idea. However, is it just me, or does that second shot look like a miniature toilet?
May 30th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Ha! Yes, it does look a little like a toilet. I’m not a master photographer, yet. But, I do have an interesting story about a self-cleaning toilet I saw in Germany. Perhaps for another blog post.
May 30th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Air France has ‘em too. However, some of the drinks they give you (small water bottles for example) don’t fit. But if you ask for a cup, it’s all good.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:18 am
Little innovations like this will be key differentiators for airlines. Which airline at the moment really looks for ways to improve the overall customer experience? Virgin comes to mind.
May 31st, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Make the cup holder adjustable, like in a Porsche Cayman.
May 31st, 2007 at 3:31 pm
The cup holder defintely needs a fold out piece to the protect the bottom as well.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:23 am
I’ve seen these on Air France before and they’re great, until the person in front of you decides to put their seat down… They don’t work as well then.
June 1st, 2007 at 5:51 am
Scandinavian has had them in the MD-82’s and -90’s for years and your entry reminds me that I’ve been puzzled that I haven’t seen them in other planes. In this case the holder *has* a supporting piece beneath the holder (so it doesn’t really look like a toilet , ahem) and this piece (without the holder itself) also serves as a great holder of Polly Pocket accessories (and other miniature toys) for my 4-year old daughter. And you can put your ear plugs and chewing gum and other small necessities there instead of in the crammed magazine holder (with it’s user unfriendly elastic). So, the design is suddenly very useful for many purposes for many kinds of travellers. Not sure if they were aware of this when they designed it though…
June 5th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Better retractable systems in a SAAB:
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/Saab_9-5_cupholder_detail.jpg
http://www.elkparts.com/images/400110805.jpg