Based on scientific literature basic requirements for aircraft seats are shown in a way that it can be measured at the seat. Gudelines for seat pan, back rest and leg room are given.

1. Aircraft seat comfort requirements
based on scientific literature
prof dr Peter Vink

2. The passenger experiences comfort
therefore, use as well:
• tests with passengers in various design stages
• human models
• guidelines developed by e.g. Boeing and Airbus
this presentation: some measurable literature based data

3. This presentation
3.
back-
rest
2. 1.
seatpan legroom

4. 1. Legroom: priority nr one
minimal 665 mm = 26.2”
(p95 world population, ww.dined.nl)
for p95 male Dutch it’s: 705 mm = 27.8”
=the biggest problem according to
10,032 passengers (Vink et al., 2012)

5. 1. Legroom
+ enough shin clearance and footspace
see also Boeing guidelines (Vink & Brauer, 2011)

6. 1. Legroom
166 mm = 6.5”
distance between tray table
and top of seat pan
(p95 Dutch population
31-60 years, ww.dined.nl)

7. 2. Seatpan
Seat pan front upwards, angle dependent on backrest angle:
avoid shear forces (Goossens & Snijders, 1995)
Pressure distribution
according to Zenk
et al.(2012): Load
in % of body mass

8. 2. Seatpan
Width between armrests:
hip width p95 Dutch male:
• 1982: 408 mm = 16.1”
• 2004: 440 mm = 17.3” 440mm
• 2026: ?472mm?
Source: www.dined.nl

9. 3. Backrest 100-130o
Recline angle according to some studies:
________________________________________________
130o Rosmalen et al., 2009 lounge seat experiment
117o Park et al., 2000 observing Korean drivers
120o Hosea et al., 1986 EMG of back muscles
109o Knijnenburg, 2007 truck comfort experiment
114o Gscheidle, 2004 prefered office seat
positions
100o Harrison, 2000 literature review
________________________________________________

10. 3. Backrest: lumbar support
max 30 mm = 1.18”
(Carcone & Keir, 2007)
South-African
middle of lumbar support
120-280 mm above seat pan
avg 192 mm = 7.56”
(Korte, 2013)

11. 3. Backrest: headrest
shoulder height sitting
Dutch 2004 20-60 years:
p95: 664 mm = 26.1”
Foam: p5: 523 mm = 20.6”
at neck level (www.dined.nl)
stiffnes <1kPa (soft)
At head level
stiffnes +/- 5.6 kPa
(Franz et al., 2012)

12. More factors influence comfort, like
Preflight/postflight and service
In the seat itself:
seat pan length
form of seat pan
free shoulder space
in- and egress
support for device use
foam/net,
texture/color
etc

13. Conclusion
Tests with passengers inevitible in increasing comfort
also, because many factors influence comfort
First priority: leg room
Hip width will increase
more info: p.vink@tudelft.nl +

14. References
-Carcone SM, Keir PJ. Effects of backrest design on biomechanics and comfort during seated work .Applied
Ergonomics 2007;38: 755-764
-Franz M, Durt A, Zenk R, Desmet PMA. Comfort effects of a new car headrest with neck support .Applied
Ergonomics 2012;43(2):336-343
-Goossens RHM, Snijders CJ. Design criteria for the reduction of shear forces in beds and seats. Journal of
Biomechanics 1995; 28: 225-230
-Gscheidle GM, Reed MP, Sitter-selected postures in an office chair with minimal task constraints. In:
proceedings of the HFES 48th annual meeting 2004: 1086-1090, cd-rom 2004
-Harrison DD, Harrison SO, Croft AC, Harrison DE, Troyanovich SJ, Sitting Biomechanics, Part II: Optimal Car
Driver's Seat and Optimal Driver's Spinal Model. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2000;
23: 37-47,
-Hosea TM, Simon SR, Delatizky J, Wong MA, Hsieh CC. Myoelectric analysis of the paraspinal musculature in
relation to automobile driving. Spine 1986; 11:928-36
-Knijnenburg, R, Future passengers side truck seats for DAF. Confidential, TU-delft, Delft, 2007
-Korte J. South African anthropometric dimensions for the design of an ergonomic office chair, Rhodes
University, Grahamstown, 2013
-Park SJ, Kim Ch, Kim CJ, Lee JW. Comfortable driving postures for Koreans. In J of Industrial Ergonomics
2000; 26: 489-497
-Rosmalen D van, Groenesteijn L, Boess S, Vink P. Using both qualitative and quantitative types of research to
design a comfortable television chair. J. of Design Research 2009; 8: 87–100
-Vink P, Bazley C, Kamp I, Blok M. Possibilities to improve the aircraft interior comfort experience. Applied
Ergonomics 2012;43:354-359
-Vink P, Brauer K, Aircraft interior comfort and design, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2011
-Zenk R, Franz M, Bubb H, Vink P. Technical note: Spine loading in automotive seating. Applied
Ergonomics 2012;43:290-295