Airline+Children's+Area

 Design for Children __ “Galley Children’s Area- For Airlines” __  __Design Thinking __  Airline travel has become easier and more affordable in recent years, safety precautions and innovations have arisen and have improved security for both adults and children. Children, though small, on long flights can be a huge nuisance. So why not try to quiet them for parents and others? The fusion of a simple bench with a vibrating seat would calm a child and allow passengers to be pleased. Airlines provide comforts such as pillows and blankets, but what about privacy for nursing mothers? Overall, an area for children would be optimal and privacy for mothers would benefit her as well as elapsing passengers. To solve the big problem of little children seven universal stages of creative problem solving were used.

__1. Accept situation__  Commercial aircrafts do not accommodate for children under the age of two. Many guardians are left hauling strollers, baby bags, car seats and more for their children but not themselves. They have to carry their own hand luggage containing vital information about themselves and the child or children they are with in order to board and leave the airplane. The journey is just the beginning; they then embark on a task to please their infant or toddler to avoid aggravating other customers. Children under two legally can be held on their guardian’s lap or be placed in a car seat that is buckled on to another chair. However the other chair that the car seat is on has to be purchased at full price. Aircraft do not provide a private area for nursing and if milk is brought on to the flight the parent or guardian must drink some to verify national security. Warming the milk on the flight in a microwave must be done by air stewards as passengers are not allowed to enter the kitchen area; it can be a daunting task for the stewards as the temperature of the milk will vary with individual preferences and frustrating for the parent. Hot water can be brought to the seat however with the risk of turbulence and an infant in close proximity it can be dangerous. The design of the airplane seat does not accommodate the combined needs of a child as well as a parent.

__2. Analyze__  The number of children flying is a great deal less than adults, however they seem to be the issue when it comes to comfort for all. A child can become restless; they can cry, run down the aisle and have a short attention span. This scenario can be viewed as a child trapped in a metal tube thousands of miles above the earth. Christopher Elliott, a MSNBC’s traveling correspondent validated this notion “An overwhelming majority of air travelers took a recent survey by Skytrax — 9 in 10 respondents — said families with children should be seated in a separate section on flights, presumably not in first class” (Elliot). An additional census by Carlson Wagonlit commercial traveling agency showed that business travelers found people who carry too much luggage and crying babies to be the most irritating part of air travel. People do not want their child out of sight and security, but are not willing to pay an adult price for a tiny body. A mother traveling home from Miami to Oregon attempted to seat her twin daughters in one seat and was charged with grand theft for “stealing a seat” (Wright)

 The cost of airline tickets has fluctuated drastically, the recession has allowed for cheap flights and deals that people are trying to capitalize on, however, off peak season is ideal for families with young children as well as young adults, couples and business travelers. The daunting hours of listening to a baby crying and wailing can be irritating and exhausting, this causes customers without children to feel cheated especially when children under two are allowed to fly for free yet they pay full for their flight. Guardians cannot pace up and down the aisles trying to ease the child or walk them because it will interrupt services and customers. Ideally, a private section with ample playroom and sound proof walls would be a perfect solution, however it would not be feasible. The issue of designing an area that can aid parents and ease children in an airplane is overwhelming as this is not the target market of the airlines. Preferably, airlines do not want to spend money on children’s comfort but that of their clientele, however, in order to provide a comfortable flight for not only those with children but also others, children must be at ease.

__3. Define__  The overall problem is a plane does not have the freedoms of space or distractions for children. There are no niche products designed for children on airplanes. Guardians bring distractions for their children could in turn cause others to become annoyed (e.g. Sing-along tapes). This can cause stewards to terminate the child’s entertainment causing havoc and further annoyance for clients. Children (0-2yrs) regularly get to fly for free, if on their guardians lap. There are many flaws with this; turbulence can cause whip-lash, trauma and other conditions in a child and in extreme cases it could cause death by suffocation. If the parent needs to leave (e.g. washroom) a parent can be in a dilemma as to who can look after the child for a short period. On the other hand, parents can purchase a seat at full price (adult) and have their baby seat strapped to it which is convenient for either the guardian as well as other passenger. Is it fair that children need more but can fly for free? Is it fair that they can ruin others anticipation of a trip? The core of the problem is there is little space and funds for children on a plane. The key issue is why the full paying recurring clientele should pay for the satisfaction of parents who need these amenities but rarely fly.

__4. Ideate__
 * Have a designated area for children and guardians that can accommodate car chairs without taking up a seat (e.g. a shallow seat in front of the parent)
 * A storage area in front of the parent for easy access
 * Vibrating seats to sooth the baby ( instead of walking)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A blanket / cloth that is wide enough to cover a woman’s chest and adheres to the seat (e.g. Push buttons or zippered onto)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A concealing blanket that would not shift
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A bottle warmer to ensure the babies bottles are warmed to the Childs specifications (the guardian would know best in comparison to a “stranger” i.e. stewardess)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Enclosed, sound proof room (costly)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Changing table in the washrooms (not all airlines provide this feature)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">__5. Select__ <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The shallow child bench seating in front of the guardians chair would allow for ample walking space between the facing seats as well as a constant supervision by the guardian. These benches like seats would be lightly padded however do not need to be comfortable as it is meant to hold a car seat which is already plush. The thin padding is cost effective and would allow for friction between the car seat and the chair which would stabilize the child. The bench does not afford sitting as it has a 90 degree back rest and little cushioning, the shallowness and restraints are visibly ideal to strap the child seat to.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Storage would be under the bench seating which would accommodate strollers and baby bags. There would not be legs on the bench seating as it is leveraged by the galley walls allowing for an open space which long items such as strollers and foldable cribs can be stored. A button above the bench would be able to be pushed to turn on or off the low-intensity vibration(five min intervals), which would replace pacing up and down aisles to sooth restless children and in turn put him or her to sleep. “Another function of these devices is to reduce or eliminate infant colic pains gently dislodging trapped gas in the infant's stomach” this simple action would vibrate the child’s already owned car seat. The location of the button above each child’s seat (on the bench), maps which button controls which seat. The button would click when pressed and illuminate the amount of time left in the five minutes intervals, the function can be terminated by clicking the button again which turns off the glowing digital count down. This feedback will allow guardians to determine if they want the function on or off dependent on the Childs behavior.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The bench would allow ease at arrival since the child would essentially be ready to leave the plane. These vibrating bench seats would cost half the price of adult’s seat, which regularly would have to be bought to strap the baby seat in to, if the guardian decides to hold the child (0-2yrs) there would be less storage appointed as only one seat was bought causing frustration in locating items.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The adult seat would essentially stay the same however button snaps would be put onto the head rest and near the lower back in the galley seating as mothers who want to breast feed their child would be able to attach a “sash” imitating a blanket that would conceal their chest, thus providing privacy. The snaps would implicate their use and are positioned in such a way that it would cover the essential area of the parent’s body. The sound would allow for piece of mind knowing the security of the blanket. This feature has many constraints; it is physically constrained by the location of the snaps which limits the possible operations and it is semantically constrained by the position of the adult seat in the galley seating section of the plane which should implicate child care. Lastly, the privacy blanket is logically constrained by it’s location on the aircraft, understandably is in the children’s area, only on the galley seats across from the children bench seating. Therefore with logic, adult passengers can determine the use and how it is meant to adhere. The privacy cloth is detachable for hygiene reasons; it provides peace of mind for the traveling mother that she is not exposed to the wandering people walking in the aisles.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The choices made were due to budget if children travel for approximately half the price of adults and are less frequent flyers they are not the target market of the airline. However in order for the airline to satisfy full paying customers without children, they have to calm the children and allow for a serene environment for all. Customers are interested in comfort and what would benefit them the most in their travels; with this mind-set those reserving child/parent seats would pay half for the child and regular for the parent. However those opting for these bench seats will have more room and will be able to carry more into this special area for their child’s comfort. Those who do not opt for this special area will still pay full price for themselves plus whatever the airline rule may be regarding fare for the child; they would not be able to enjoy the roomy area and will be restricted to the confines of a regular seat rules together with the inconveniences and lesser amenities.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">__6. Implement__ <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The figures mentioned in this report can be found in the Visual Appendix: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> 1.) The adult chair design: there are foldable trays into arm rests that are used already in many airline galley seating (multi-function object). Essential it has not changed much; snaps (attaching) have been added for the privacy cloth (enclosure). <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> 2.) The baby bench seating; it does not have arm rest as children do not need a definition of space since they are already confined by their car seats.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">__7. Evaluate__ <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Poll 1: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> What do you think of the proposition of children only seating? (Three Most Interesting)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> “It is a wonderful idea and beneficial to childless individuals. Plus you get to use your own car seat which saves money and time. I’m all for it” <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> -Donna (New Mother)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> “I don’t see the point helping pay for a service provided to people who pay half the price. If you can’t keep your kids quiet why would you share that annoyance with the rest of us” <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> -Ricky Sharma (Graduate-York University)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> “It’s a good thing, maybe if it works next time I’ll get sleep on my flight” <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> -Andrew H. Wartman (Accountant)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Poll 2: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Would you pay for a separate (soothing vibration) bench seat (that a car seat can strap to) for your child (0-2yrs) that would be half the price of a regular airline ticket (rather than the free, child in lap, option)?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> (Census of guardians from Middlebury daycare PLASP class) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Yes: 40 <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> No: 24

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Overall, parents would be willing to pay half price for a seat that would accommodate their child and sooth them to sleep. The convenience in exiting the plane and not asking strangers to hold the child when the guardian has to go to the washroom was the general incentive. Guardians were excited because they no longer would be embarrassed pacing around the aisles or breast feeding. The notion excited many, as they and others would be less annoyed and would therefore increase their satisfaction on their flight. A few childless people were bitter towards spending money without direct benefit but many were glad that the children would be grouped, satisfied and out of their way.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;"> __ Visual Appendix __ <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;">Design for Children  <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;">__“Galley Children’s Area- For Airlines”__ <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">

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<span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;">The Above Images Were Designed By Neeta Ramsaroop In June 2009 <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">__﻿__ <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"> **Bibliography:** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">[1]Wright, Todd. "Woman Arrested for "Stealing" Airline Seat." NBC. NBC Universal, Inc, 5 June 2009. Web. 7 June 2009. <http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/Woman-Arrested-for-Stealing-Airline-Seat.html>.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[2] Infant Travel & Child Seating." Delta Air Lines - Airline Tickets and Airfare to Worldwide Destinations. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 June 2009. http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/services_for_children/infant_child_seating/index.jsp.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[3]Air France......UP YOURS! - Air France - Epinions.com." Reviews from Epinions. N.p., 7 Sept. 2001. Web. 14 June 2009. <http://www.epinions.com/review/trvl-Airlines-Europe-Air_France/content_39774228100>.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[4] Child Proof Your Flight." Federal Aviation Administration. U.S Department of Transporation., n.d. Web. 8 June 2009. <http://www.flyingwithkids.com/images/faa_brochure.pdf>.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[5] Children in first class? - Christopher Elliott- msnbc.com." Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News- msnbc.com. N.p., 1 June 2009. Web. 9 June 2009. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30745204/>.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[6] Air Travel Trivia." Airline Reviews, Airport Reviews, Flight Reviews, Seat Reviews and SKYTRAX Airline and Airport Star Ranking. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2009. <http://www.airlinequality.com/main/facts.htm>.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[7] "Baby equipment review: vibrating equipment pros and cons." Essortment Articles: Free Online Articles on Health, Science, Education & More.. N.p., 2002. Web. 14 June 2009. <http://www.essortment.com/all/babyequipment_rwcz.htm>.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[8]Boeing 747-400 Seating Plan (744)." International Flights, Asia Airline Travel - Cathay Pacific. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2009. <http://www.cathaypacific.com/popup/0,1030,80724,00.html>.