With an increasing demand for premium economy, airlines are now looking at ways to differentiate their offering from the many out there. Toyota Boshoku has presented one solution, which would offer more space, privacy, and direct aisle access for all premium economy travelers. Let’s take a look at the Layered Rhombus.

Differentiating premium economy

In the majority of airliners with a separate premium economy and economy class, the division is made from front to back. Premium economy fliers will usually sit further forward in the plane, while economy takes up the cabins towards the back.

This works well for airlines who want to give premium economy fliers a bit more exclusivity. While size varies, premium economy is usually limited to less than ten rows, with a separation curtain and premium service offerings. This keeps the cabin more tranquil, and with priority check-in and boarding thrown in, the experience is a step up from economy.

The product itself is a bit more comfortable as well, usually including wider seats, more recline, pitch, and a leg rest. While it is certainly more comfortable, all products have started to feel remarkably...similar. From Emirates to Virgin Atlantic to Vistara, differences seem to be limited to service and seat materials.

Emirates Premium Economy
Photo: Emirates

So the question remains: how do you make premium economy unique? While airlines don’t want to pull passengers down from business class, where offered, the premium economy market is becoming increasingly competitive. Having something a bit different that ticks more passenger experience boxes would be a winner for an innovative airline. Here's one choice.

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The Layered Rhombus

Toyota Boshoku Corporation has unveiled a concept that does just that. Its cabin concept promises to provide more personal space, privacy, and comfort, without sacrificing passenger capacity. Not only that, but it also provides for that all-important direct aisle access for every premium economy flyer.

The Layered Rhombus is a flexible solution that sees groups of four premium seats arranged in a diagonal configuration in the center of the economy cabin. To either side of the Rhombus, groups of three economy passengers are accommodated. The solution also allows airlines to create very private or companion flying to accommodate different needs.

Layered Rhombus premium economy concept
Photo: Toyota Boshoku

It also adds two levels of premium economy comfort. The passengers in the middle, diagonally located seats, will have less legroom and recline than the passengers on the forward and back facing outside seats. This means those seats could be sold at a markup, as premium economy ‘plus’ seats.

Layered Rhombus premium economy concept
Photo: Toyota Boshoku

But for families traveling together or with a companion, the diagonal seats have another advantage. Screens between the seats can be folded back to allow conversation during the flight. In large groups, the screens can be fully opened and allow up to four people to interact.

Layered Rhombus premium economy concept
Photo: Toyota Boshoku

The larger outer seats also have the option to install a bassinet for passengers traveling with infants. Those not traveling with infants can use the space for storage or to rest their legs instead.

Layered Rhombus premium economy concept
Photo: Toyota Boshoku

Will it fly?

The Layered Rhombus solution was submitted for a Crystal Cabin Award 2021 and made it to the finals. Despite not picking up an award, it is a rare design that targets premium economy, a cabin that has remained largely unchanged in its layout over the last decade.

Although the seat does add more privacy and direct aisle access than current premium economy products, there are some downsides to this design. Most notably, integrating it into the center of the aircraft’s cabin removes all the notion of peace and quiet otherwise afforded by a smaller, separate, premium economy cabin. Its location means that economy passengers will frequently try to take up empty seats during the flight, creating another headache for cabin crews.

We are unlikely to see any airline pick up the Layered Rhombus, at least not in the near future. While an upstart might jump on the concept, legacy carriers, which largely offer premium economy, are conservative with their approaches. However, don't expect that the product won't influence premium economy seats in the future.

Would you fly the Rhombus? Let us know in the comment section.