V-Flyer

I've only ever flown economy - charter and scheduled, and everytime your seat has to be in the most uncomfortable postion - upright - for take off and landings, why?

With Virgin's UCS the suite doesn't have to be in the upright position at all:

extract from UCS FAQ's VA website:

Does the seat have to be upright for takeoff and landing?
No. You can choose the seat position you want, from upright to reclined.

So why do normal seats in Economy have to be in the upright position?

This is because the Suites are angled and have an airbag fitted in the side wall. In a normal Premium or Economy seat facing forward, if you were reclined you could (a) potentially slip out under your belt, or (b) hinder someones exit if your seat is reclined into their face.

Pete

It's an amazing experience to be in a 'comfortable' position when taking off or landing. On my first time in the UCS, I almost felt I was doing something wrong by putting my feet up on the ottoman!

Originally posted by s0436
It's an amazing experience to be in a 'comfortable' position when taking off or landing.

Agreed - just a shame you get flung sideways when they put those brakes on... [:p]

wow i never thought a couple of inches of a seat pitch could make a difference in an emergency situation, the airbag thing in the UCS is quite interesting...

I agree, I didn't know about the airbag, but being able to recline the seat from the 'off' is a definite plus for me:D

The reason yoy can have the UCS reclined is because there is no one sitting behind your seat, so you are not obstructing anyones exit in an emergency evacuation.
Yes the UCS has airbags fitted to the seatbelts, much like a car airbag.
But if you travel on our A340-600's you will notice we also have aibags fitted in Premium and econony seats where you have a bulkhead in front of you.
Any new design of aircraft manufactured after 2003 is required to have this safety feature at bulkheads!

The reason you also have to have your seat upright if you are forward facing is so in the event of an impact your body is protected and you will have less chance of whip lash effect.
Hope this answers your question!
VSCSS.

Thanks vscss

My only concern with UCS is that during the saftey demo video, it mentions adopting the brace position in the event of an emergancy landing. Adopting this position in UCS is obviously not possible and I presume the airbag in the UCS seat will inflate automatically in such a situation ([?]), but there's really no mention as to what position to adopt if sat in UCS or what to expect regarding the airbag if sat in an UCS seat.

Regards

Just keep sipping your champagne and look fabulous! [:p]

A program called Myth Busters went into this and studied the different seating postions and how they effect the human body in a crash,very interesting looking at the site http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythb ... isode.html

it was episode 33,dont know if you get this program in the Uk,but it's worth watching

My only concern with UCS is that during the saftey demo video, it mentions adopting the brace position in the event of an emergancy landing. Adopting this position in UCS is obviously not possible and I presume the airbag in the UCS seat will inflate automatically in such a situation ([?]), but there's really no mention as to what position to adopt if sat in UCS or what to expect regarding the airbag if sat in an UCS seat.

Hello,

In a premeditated emergency the cabin crew would have time to brief pax on what to do etc (like our emergency landing in 1997)
In a no notice emergency you will hopefully follow our commands as we shout them.
In the UCS or any other seat with an airbag you would adopt the normal brace position, on impact the bag fill inflate, this will push u back in your seat and protect all your front body and face.
On command from us to evacuate you should push the bag to one side and leave it on your seat!
Im sure you will never have to experience this, but i suppose its a nice to know anyway!!
VSCSS.

Does anyone know therefore why BA insist on their flat club beds being in the Take off/Landing position (a one touch seat setting) even for those which are facing backwards?

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
Does anyone know therefore why BA insist on their flat club beds being in the Take off/Landing position (a one touch seat setting) even for those which are facing backwards?

Probably because they don't have airbags...

I always thaught there was an airbag in the UCS seatbelt, but it seems not. Anyone know why the belt is so bulky? Or is it just for extra protection.

Cheers

On V-flyer's guide to the UCS, it says there is an airbag in the seatbelt...it certainly is very bulky indeed.

Originally posted by sean modi
I walways thaught there was an airbag in the UCS seatbelt, but obviously not. Anyone know why the belt is so bulky? Or is it just for extra protection.

Cheers

Errmmm Sean - just reread this thread - there ARE airbags...

All UCS are fitted with an airbag!
VSCSS.

Has one ever 'gone off' ? [:0]

hehe you can just see it now, Majorie sipping her champagne laid back watching a movie or having a pedicure and suddenly her seatbelt springs open a big white air bag, knocking her champagne all over her and she kicks the IFBT in the face! hehe,:D