阅读说明：本技术 用于窄体和宽体飞机的商务舱旅行套间布置 (Business cabin travel suite arrangement for narrow and wide body aircraft ) 是由 罗伯特·J·亨肖 爱德华·W·摩根 洪扬林 特蕾西·N·彭斯 本杰明·T·贝利 丘在轩 于 2019-12-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于飞机机舱、诸如商务舱机舱的旅行套间布置,包括至少一个纵向过道分隔部分,每个部分包括至少一个四套间单元。每个四套间通常包括：紧邻纵向过道面向前方定位的第一成角度的座椅,紧邻纵向过道面向后方定位的第二成角度的座椅,远离纵向过道并位于第一座椅的一侧且面向后方定位的第三成角度的座椅,和远离纵向过道并位于第二座椅的一侧且面向前方定位的第四成角度的座椅。过道座椅可直接从过道进入,而外侧座椅共享进入通道。(A travel suite arrangement for an aircraft cabin, such as a business cabin, includes at least one longitudinal aisle partition section, each section including at least one suite of four units. Each four suite typically includes: a first angled seat positioned facing forward proximate the longitudinal aisle, a second angled seat positioned facing rearward proximate the longitudinal aisle, a third angled seat positioned facing rearward and distal from the longitudinal aisle and on a side of the first seat, and a fourth angled seat positioned facing forward and distal from the longitudinal aisle and on a side of the second seat. Aisle seats may enter directly from the aisle, while outside seats share an access aisle.)

1. A travel suite arrangement for an aircraft cabin, comprising:

a longitudinal aisle; and

a suite of four units located adjacent the longitudinal aisle, comprising:

a first suite including a first seat, the first suite positioned proximate to the longitudinal aisle and the first seat positioned facing forward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle;

a second suite including a second seat, the second suite positioned proximate to the longitudinal aisle and the second seat positioned facing rearward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle;

a third suite including a third seat, the third suite positioned away from the longitudinal aisle and to one side of the first suite, and the third seat positioned rearwardly facing and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle; and

a fourth suite including a fourth seat, the fourth suite positioned away from the longitudinal aisle and to one side of the second suite, and the fourth seat positioned facing forward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle.

2. The travel suite arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first seat is angled toward the longitudinal aisle, the second seat is angled away from the longitudinal aisle, the third seat is angled toward the longitudinal aisle, and the fourth seat is angled away from the longitudinal aisle.

3. The travel suite arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first seat and the second seat face each other and the third seat and the fourth seat back are positioned.

4. The travel suite arrangement of claim 1, wherein an angle of the first seat is less than an angle of the second seat and an angle of the fourth seat is less than an angle of the third seat.

5. The travel suite arrangement of claim 1, wherein the angle of the first seat is equal and opposite to the angle of the fourth seat, and the angle of the second seat is equal and opposite to the angle of the third seat.

6. The travel suite arrangement of claim 5, wherein the angle of the first seat and the fourth seat is less than 10 degrees and the angle of the second seat and the third seat is greater than 10 degrees.

7. The travel suite arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second suites is accessed directly from the longitudinal aisle, the third suite is accessed through a passage located behind the first suite, and the fourth suite is accessed through a passage located behind the second suite.

8. The travel suite arrangement of claim 1, wherein the suite of four units further comprises: a privacy divider separating the first suite and the second suite.

9. The travel suite arrangement of claim 8, wherein the suite of four units further comprises: a first footrest for the first seat, positioned with the privacy divider; and a second footrest for the second seat positioned with the privacy divider, wherein the first and second footrests are positioned side-by-side.

10. The travel suite arrangement of claim 1, wherein the suite of four units further comprises: a privacy divider located between the first suite and the third suite, and a privacy divider located between the second suite and the fourth suite, wherein each of the privacy dividers includes a telescoping portion.

11. A travel suite arrangement for an aircraft cabin, comprising:

a longitudinal aisle dividing the aircraft cabin into a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion including a plurality of longitudinally aligned quad cells, wherein each of the quad cells includes:

a first suite including a first seat, the first suite positioned proximate to the longitudinal aisle and the first seat positioned facing forward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle;

a second suite including a second seat, the second suite positioned proximate to the longitudinal aisle and the second seat positioned facing rearward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle;

a third suite including a third seat, the third suite positioned away from the longitudinal aisle and to one side of the first suite, and the third seat positioned rearwardly facing and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle; and

a fourth suite including a fourth seat, the fourth suite positioned away from the longitudinal aisle and to one side of the second suite, and the fourth seat positioned facing forward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle.

12. The travel suite arrangement of claim 11, wherein the plurality of quad units in the first portion are mirrored with the plurality of quad units in the second portion about an axis bisecting the longitudinal aisle.

13. The travel suite arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first seat is angled toward the longitudinal aisle, the second seat is angled away from the longitudinal aisle, the third seat is angled toward the longitudinal aisle, and the fourth seat is angled away from the longitudinal aisle.

14. The travel suite arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first seat and the second seat face each other and the third seat and the fourth seat back are positioned.

15. The travel suite arrangement of claim 11, wherein an angle of the first seat is less than an angle of the second seat and an angle of the fourth seat is less than an angle of the third seat, and wherein the angle of the first seat is equal to and opposite the angle of the fourth seat and the angle of the second seat is equal to and opposite the angle of the third seat.

16. The travel suite arrangement of claim 15, wherein the angle of the first seat and the fourth seat is less than 10 degrees and the angle of the second seat and the third seat is greater than 10 degrees.

17. The travel suite arrangement of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second suites enter directly from the longitudinal aisle, the third and fourth suites entering through a shared aisle.

18. The travel suite arrangement of claim 11, wherein each of the four suite units further comprises: a first privacy divider separating the first suite and the second suite, a second privacy divider separating the first suite and the third suite, and a third privacy divider separating the second suite and the fourth suite, wherein at least the second privacy divider and the third privacy divider each include a telescoping portion.

19. The travel suite arrangement of claim 18, further comprising: a fourth privacy divider located between each third suite of one suite unit and each fourth suite of a longitudinally adjacent suite unit.

20. A travel suite arrangement for placement in an aircraft cabin, comprising:

a first suite including a first seat, the first suite positionable proximate the longitudinal aisle and the first seat positionable facing forward and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle;

a second suite including a second seat, the second suite positionable proximate the longitudinal aisle and the second seat positionable facing rearward and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle;

a third suite including a third seat, the third suite positionable distal from the longitudinal aisle and to one side of the first suite, and the third seat positionable facing rearward and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle; and

a fourth suite including a fourth seat, the fourth suite positionable distal to and to one side of the second suite, and the fourth seat positionable facing forward and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle.

Background

Optimizing aircraft passenger accommodation includes maximizing seat density while ensuring passenger comfort. Generally, the more spacious and comfortable the seats, the fewer the number of seats that can be provided.

The seat rows are typically spaced apart from one another to provide leg room between the rows. A longitudinal aisle may be provided that divides the seat into sections. For example, the seating arrangement may comprise a single longitudinal aisle that divides the seating arrangement into two side portions. In other arrangements, two aisles may divide the seating arrangement into a central portion and two side portions to provide improved ingress and egress to and from the rows and access to the emergency exits.

Airlines typically charge higher fares for upgraded or premium seats. For example, a premium seat may be wider, recline farther, and may be arranged to provide more leg room than a standard seat. Some aircraft are divided into different classes of cabins, each class having a different seating arrangement. For example, an airplane may have a business class with higher fares near the front of the airplane and a coach or economy class with lower fares near the back of the airplane.

In recent years, seats have been developed that can be switched between an upright sitting position for taxi, take-off and landing (TTOL) and a lying sleeping position in flight to allow the seat to be used as a bed. These seats have proven to be popular in long flights and international flights, during which time passengers may wish to sleep on an aircraft. While such a lie-flat seat provides additional comfort to the passenger, the lie-flat seat requires additional space and seat spacing, making it difficult to provide this type of seat in large numbers. For example, typical lay-flat seating arrangements have approximately twice the seat pitch as in economy class when the seats are oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, and some arrangements require the seats to overlap on the sides. Non-angled lie-flat seats typically require a greater seat pitch than angled seats, and will typically rely on alternative arrangements of longitudinally overlapping seats to promote efficient use of space on the aircraft.

Attempts have been made to provide fully reclined, lie flat or sleeper seating arrangements to make efficient use of the limited aircraft cabin space. Some arrangements attempt to angle the seats uniformly in a horizontal plane, while others attempt to overlap the seat portions vertically, while others provide back-to-back seats with vertical overlap to expand in a vertical direction with normally unused space.

While the above arrangements provide some advantages, they still suffer from disadvantages and shortcomings. For example, in some arrangements, overlapping seats result in seat space being perceived as narrow and narrow, and arrangements designed to save space may require one passenger to enter their space through the seat space of another passenger. This not only causes inconvenience to both passengers, but may also cause difficulties in emergency situations. Elevated seating arrangements also typically result in greater loads being applied to the floor, thus requiring heavier, stronger, and expensive support structures to meet aviation safety requirements.

Thus, there is a need for seating arrangements that better optimize density, space efficiency, comfort, and privacy for both narrow and wide-bodied aircraft.

Disclosure of Invention

To achieve the above and other advantages, aspects of the invention disclosed herein are directed to a travel suite for an aircraft cabin that includes a longitudinal aisle and four suite units located adjacent the longitudinal aisle. The four suite of units includes: a first suite including a first seat, the first suite positioned proximate to the longitudinal aisle and the first seat positioned forward-facing and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle; a second suite including a second seat, the second suite positioned proximate the longitudinal aisle and the second seat positioned facing rearward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle; a third suite including a third seat, the third suite positioned distal to and to one side of the first suite, and the third seat positioned rearwardly facing and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle; and a fourth suite including a fourth seat, the fourth suite positioned away from the longitudinal aisle and to one side of the second suite, and the fourth seat positioned facing forward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle.

In some embodiments, a first seat may be angled toward the longitudinal aisle, a second seat may be angled away from the longitudinal aisle, a third seat may be angled toward the longitudinal aisle, and a fourth seat may be angled away from the longitudinal aisle.

In some embodiments, the first seat and the second seat may face each other, and the third seat and the fourth seat may be positioned back-to-back.

In some embodiments, the angle of the first seat may be less than the angle of the second seat, and the angle of the fourth seat may be less than the angle of the third seat.

In some embodiments, the angle of the first seat may be equal and opposite to the angle of the fourth seat, and the angle of the second seat may be equal and opposite to the angle of the third seat.

In some embodiments, the angle of the first and fourth seats may be less than 10 degrees, and the angle of the second and third seats may be greater than 10 degrees.

In some embodiments, each of the first suite and the second suite are directly accessible from the longitudinal aisle, the third suite is accessible through a passage located behind the first suite, and the fourth suite is accessible through a passage located behind the second suite.

In some embodiments, the suite unit further comprises a privacy divider separating the first suite and the second suite.

In some embodiments, the four suite of units further comprises: a first footrest for the first seat, positioned with the privacy divider; and a second footrest for the second seat positioned with the privacy divider, wherein the first and second footrests are positioned side-by-side.

In some embodiments, the suite unit may further include a privacy divider between the first suite and the third suite and a privacy divider between the second suite and the fourth suite, wherein each privacy divider includes a telescoping portion.

The inventive aspects disclosed herein are also directed to a travel suite for an aircraft cabin, comprising: a longitudinal aisle dividing the aircraft cabin into a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion including a plurality of four suite cells aligned longitudinally. Each of the four suites includes: a first suite including a first seat, the first suite positioned proximate to the longitudinal aisle and the first seat positioned forward-facing and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle; a second suite including a second seat, the second suite positioned proximate the longitudinal aisle and the second seat positioned facing rearward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle; a third suite including a third seat, the third suite positioned distal to and to one side of the first suite, and the third seat positioned rearwardly facing and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle; and a fourth suite including a fourth seat, the fourth suite positioned away from the longitudinal aisle and to one side of the second suite, and the fourth seat positioned facing forward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle.

In some embodiments, the plurality of quad-units in the first portion are mirror images of the plurality of quad-units in the second portion about an axis bisecting the longitudinal aisle.

In some embodiments, a first seat may be angled toward the longitudinal aisle, a second seat may be angled away from the longitudinal aisle, a third seat may be angled toward the longitudinal aisle, and a fourth seat may be angled away from the longitudinal aisle.

In some embodiments, each of the suite units may include a first privacy divider separating the first suite and the second suite, a second privacy divider separating the first suite and the third suite, and a third privacy divider separating the second suite and the fourth suite, wherein at least the second and third privacy dividers each include a telescoping portion.

In some embodiments, the suite of four units may further include a fourth privacy divider located between each third suite of one suite unit and each fourth suite of a longitudinally adjacent suite unit.

The inventive aspects disclosed herein are also directed to a travel suite for positioning in an aircraft cabin, comprising: a first suite including a first seat, the first suite positionable proximate the longitudinal aisle and the first seat positionable facing forward and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle; a second suite including a second seat, the second suite positionable proximate the longitudinal aisle and the second seat positionable facing rearward and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle; a third suite including a third seat, the third suite positionable distal to and to one side of the first suite, and the third seat positionable facing rearward and angled with respect to the longitudinal aisle; and a fourth suite including a fourth seat, the fourth suite positionable distal to and to one side of the second suite, and the fourth seat positionable facing forward and angled relative to the longitudinal aisle.

Embodiments of the inventive concept may include one or more or any combination of the above aspects, features and configurations.

Drawings

The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a travel suite arrangement for a narrow body aircraft according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a corresponding end view of the travel suite arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the travel suite of FIG. 1 repeated along the longitudinal length of the aircraft cabin;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a travel suite arrangement for a wide-body aircraft according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a corresponding end view of the travel suite arrangement of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the travel suite arrangement of FIG. 4 repeated along the longitudinal length of the nacelle;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of yet another travel suite arrangement for a wide-body aircraft according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a corresponding end view of the travel suite arrangement of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a four suite unit including two forward seats and two rearward seats;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the suite of four units of FIG. 9, showing the seat converted to a lie flat condition;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the four suite unit of FIG. 9, showing the position of the pallet tables and some of the pallet tables deployed;

FIG. 12 is a top view of a four suite of cells showing tray table positions and corresponding deployment directions;

FIG. 13 is an aisle-side perspective view of a quad-suite unit; and

fig. 14 is a side perspective view of the fuselage of the four suite of units of fig. 13.

Detailed Description

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various illustrative embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The specific features and functions are described in connection with each illustrative embodiment; it will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be practiced without each of those specific features and functions. Unless explicitly stated or an aspect, feature, or function is incompatible with an embodiment, the aspect, feature, or function described below in connection with one embodiment is intended to apply to the other embodiments described below.

The layout of passenger accommodations comprising a single travel suite for both narrow and wide body aircraft is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various arrangements provide improvements in density and space efficiency compared to conventional seating arrangements. Space efficiency may be achieved in part by using a shared channel to access an outboard suite located along a fuselage wall or non-aisle center seat. Space efficiency is further achieved by arranging the suites and/or their respective seats at an angle based on a four suite unit that includes two forward facing seats and two rear facing seats that may be arranged in a checkerboard pattern along the cabin. The layout disclosed herein optimizes density while maintaining passenger living space.

In some embodiments, the aisle-side forward facing seats and the aft facing seats are arranged at a slight angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. For example, the longitudinal seat axis of one seat may be oriented at approximately 17 degrees from the aircraft longitudinal axis, while the longitudinal seat axis of the opposite seat may be oriented at 7 degrees from the aircraft longitudinal axis, thereby enabling the seat ottomans to be brought together. This allows the two opposing seats to be compact along the axis of the fuselage, providing linear space for outside (or center off-aisle seating position for wide body aircraft) access channels. The outboard seats are also angled at the same relative angle as the aisle angled seats are opposed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first travel suite cabin layout, shown generally at 100. The layout may be part of a business class, for example for a narrow body aircraft. The nacelle is divided into two parts by a longitudinal aisle 102 oriented parallel to the aircraft axis 104. The direction of forward travel is indicated by directional arrow 106; however, it is contemplated and understood that forward travel of the aircraft may be in the opposite direction, and for clarity of this disclosure, the designated direction of forward travel is provided only for reference with respect to various suite and seat numbers and locations. Each of the first portion 108 and the second portion 110 includes a single four-suite unit 112. The four suite of cells may be arranged as mirror images of each other about the aircraft axis 104 or may be laterally misaligned.

Each of the quadruple suite of units 112 is positioned laterally adjacent to the longitudinal aisle 102, thereby providing direct or indirect access to each suite. Each of the four suite of cells 112 generally includes: a first suite 114 including a first seat 114A; a second suite 116 including a second seat 116A; a third suite 118 including a third seat 118A; and a fourth suite 120 including a fourth seat 120A. Each suite 112 may accommodate four travel passengers, each in their own dedicated suite and seating space.

The first suite 114 is positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle 102 with the first seat 114A facing forward and positioned at an angle relative to the longitudinal aisle. The second suite 116 is also positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle 102 with the second seat 116A facing rearward and positioned at an angle relative to the longitudinal aisle. The third suite 118 is positioned separate from the longitudinal aisle 102 and on one side of the first suite 114, and the third seat 118A faces rearward and is positioned at an angle relative to the longitudinal aisle. The fourth suite 120 is also positioned separate from the longitudinal aisle 102 and to one side of the second suite 116, and the fourth seat 120A faces forward and is positioned at an angle relative to the longitudinal aisle. The third suite 118 and the fourth suite 120 may be centrally located along the fuselage walls or located so as to not be immediately adjacent to or otherwise inaccessible from the longitudinal aisle.

The first seat 114A is angled toward the longitudinal aisle 102. The second seat 116A is angled away from the longitudinal aisle 102. The third seat 118A is angled toward the longitudinal aisle 102. The fourth seat 120A is angled away from the longitudinal aisle 102. The first seat 114A and the second seat 116A are positioned to face each other. As shown, the first seat 114A faces generally forward and the second seat 116A faces generally rearward, or vice versa, depending on the direction of forward travel. The third seat 118A and the fourth seat 120A are positioned back-to-back and face in opposite directions. As shown, the third seat 118A faces generally rearward and the fourth seat 120A faces generally forward. Thus, in each fourfold unit 112, two seats are forward facing and two seats are rearward facing.

The angle of the first seat 114A is less than the angle of the second seat 116A, where each seat angle is measured as the longitudinal seat axis 122 relative to the aircraft axis 104, and the angle of the fourth seat 120A is less than the angle of the third seat 118A. In some embodiments, the angle of the first seat 114A is equal to but opposite the angle of the fourth seat 120A, and the angle of the second seat 116A is equal to but opposite the angle of the third seat 118A. In this arrangement, the first seat 114A and the fourth seat 120A face the same general direction and are positioned at the same seat angle, with the first seat 114A angled toward the longitudinal aisle 102, the second seat 116A angled away from the same longitudinal aisle, and the second seat 116A and the third seat 118A face the same general direction and are positioned at the same seat angle, with the second seat 116A angled away from the same longitudinal aisle and the third seat 118A angled toward the same longitudinal aisle. This arrangement positions each longitudinal suite axis and/or longitudinal seat axis 122 at an angle (i.e., non-parallel) relative to the aircraft axis 104.

In some embodiments, the angle of the first seat 114A and the fourth seat 120A is less than the angle of the second seat 116A and the third seat 118A. In some embodiments, the angle of the first seat 114A and the fourth seat 120A is 10 degrees or less, more preferably less than 10 degrees, and even more preferably 7 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of the second and third seats 116A, 118A is 10 degrees or greater, more preferably greater than 10 degrees, and even more preferably 17 degrees. Other seat angles and angular relationships are also contemplated and envisioned.

The four suites 114, 116, 118, 120 so positioned and angled may improve seat density and space efficiency, among other advantages. The aisle side forward and rearward seats 114A, 116A arranged at a slight angle and one seat arranged at a greater angle than the opposite facing seat, the footrests 114B, 116B for the first seat 114A and the second seat 116A, respectively, may be positioned together, e.g., side-by-side. This allows the two seats 114A, 116A facing each other to be compact along the fuselage axis, which in turn provides a linear space for access to the rear of the two suites 114, 116 to the two outboard suites 118, 120 or central non-aisle seat position in a dual-aisle aircraft. The outboard seats 118A, 120A are also angled at the same relative angle as the aisle angled seats 114A, 116A.

Positioning each suite unit 112 proximate the longitudinal aisle 102 allows direct access to the first and second suites 114, 116 from the longitudinal aisle without having to traverse the seating space of the other, thus respecting the comfort and privacy of each travel passenger. By angling the aisle-side suites 114, 116 and placing the respective footstools 114B, 116B side-by-side, space is provided behind each of the first suite 114 and the second suite 116 for access to the respective third suite 118 and fourth suite 120. In a nacelle layout that includes only one four suite unit along the length of the nacelle, the third suite 118 is accessed through a dedicated access passage 124 located behind the first suite 114, while the fourth suite 120 is accessed through a different dedicated access passage 124 located behind the second suite 116. Thus, passengers of the third suite 118 and the fourth suite 120 of each quad unit 112 enter their respective suites through separate access passageways.

As discussed in detail below, in a nacelle layout including more than one quad unit 112 along the length of the nacelle, a dedicated access passage is provided behind the second bay 116 for accessing the fourth bay 120 from the longitudinal aisle 102 at the front of the nacelle, while a forward downstream access passage formed between the rear of the first bay 114 of one quad unit 112 and the rear of the second bay 116 of a longitudinally adjacent quad unit 112 is shared for accessing the respective third bay 118 of one quad unit 112 and the fourth bay 120 of a longitudinally adjacent quad unit 112.

Each suite of four units 112 includes a first privacy partition 126 that divides the first and second suites 114, 116, a second privacy partition 128 that divides the first and third suites 114, 118, and a third privacy partition 130 that divides the second and fourth suites 116, 120. An additional privacy divider 132 is provided in front of each of the third and fourth seats 118A, 120A. For example, the dedicated privacy partition 132 may be positioned forward of the forward-most fourth seat 120A in the nacelle, while the shared privacy partition 132 may be positioned to separate the third suite 118 of one suite-of-four units 112 from the fourth suite 120 of a longitudinally adjacent suite-of-four units 112.

As described below, the privacy divider may be a separate structure or part of a suite wall, and may serve as a mounting location for video monitors, lockers, table mounts, seat controls, power/data ports, foot rests, footstools, and the like. As shown in fig. 1, the footstools 114B, 116B serving the first seat 114A and the second seat 116A, respectively, are positioned on the first privacy divider 126. Each privacy divider may have a high height to enhance privacy between adjacent suites and aisles, and may have doors that open and close at least in the case of aisle-side suites 114, 116.

Fig. 2 shows an end view of the nacelle layout of fig. 1 from a front to a rear view of the nacelle, showing a fourth seat 120A angled outwardly away from the longitudinal aisle 102. As shown, the fourth seat 120A is angled toward the fuselage wall and window. A rear portion of the second suite 116, such as a rear portion of a suite defining wall or housing 134, is visible on an inboard side of the fourth seat 120A. First and second cabin overhead locker portions 136, 138 are located above the respective first and second cabin portions 108, 110 to service passengers in the respective four suite of cells 112 below the respective locker.

Fig. 3 illustrates a second travel suite cabin layout, shown generally at 200. Similar to the first layout 100, the second layout 200 may be part of a business class, for example, for a narrow body aircraft. The nacelle is divided into two parts by a longitudinal aisle 102 oriented parallel to the aircraft axis 104. In a non-limiting example, the direction of forward travel is indicated by directional arrow 106. Each of the first and second portions 108, 110 includes two or more similar four sets of cells 112. Each suite of four cells 112 is substantially a mirror image of the suite of four cells 112 passing directly through the aisle 102. The location, angle and arrangement of the suite and the seats, and at least some of the privacy dividers, are the same as described above with reference to fig. 1 and the first nacelle layout 100.

A dedicated access passage 124 is provided at the rear of the second suite 116 for access to the fourth suite 120 from the longitudinal aisle 102 at the front of the nacelle, while a forward downstream access passage formed between the rear of the first suite 114 of one suite-unit 112 and the rear of the second suite 116 of a longitudinally adjacent suite-unit 112 is shared for access to the third suite 118 of one suite-unit 112 and the fourth suite 120 of a longitudinally adjacent suite-unit 112, respectively. A privacy divider 132 is provided in front of each of the third and fourth seats 118A, 120A. For example, the dedicated privacy partition 132 may be positioned forward of the forward-most fourth seat 120A in the nacelle, while the shared privacy partition 132 may be positioned to separate the third suite 118 of one suite-of-four units 112 from the fourth suite 120 of a longitudinally adjacent suite-of-four units 112.

Fig. 4 illustrates a cabin layout of a third travel suite, shown generally at 300. The cabin layout 300 may be part of a business cabin of a wide body aircraft, for example. Unlike the first and second arrangements 100, 200, the third nacelle is divided into three substantially equal-width sections by first and second spaced apart longitudinal aisles 102 oriented parallel to an aircraft axis 104. In a non-limiting example, the direction of forward travel is indicated by directional arrow 106. These three sections include a left or port side section 302, a center section 304 and a right or starboard side section 306. Each section 302, 304, 306 includes at least one four-suite of cells 112. The suite of four units 112 in the left portion 302 is mirrored with the suite of four units 112 in the central portion 304 about a centerline bisecting the left longitudinal aisle 102. The four sets of cells 112 in the right portion 306 have the same orientation as the four sets of cells 112 in the central portion 304; however, it should be understood that the four sets of cells 112 in the right portion 306 may have the same orientation as the four sets of cells 112 in the left portion 302, or may all have a different orientation.

In the illustrated nacelle layout, the outboard suites adjacent to the fuselage wall are accessed through dedicated or shared access passageways as described above, while the suites in the central portion 304 may be accessed directly from their laterally adjacent aisles, or the third and/or fourth suites 118, 120 and/or the third and fourth seats 118A, 120A from the left aisle 102 through dedicated or shared access passageways 124. In some arrangements, it may be desirable to provide a central portion of the third and fourth suites that are accessed from two aisles. In other arrangements, it may be desirable to provide access to the central portion of the third and fourth suites from only one aisle.

Fig. 5 shows an end view of the nacelle layout of fig. 4 from a front to rear perspective of the nacelle, showing the fourth seats 120A angled outwardly away from their respective longitudinal aisles 102. As shown, the fourth seats 120A in the left and right portions are angled toward the fuselage walls and windows, while the fourth seats of the central portion 304 are hidden behind their respective privacy dividers. The first, second and third overhead cabin portions 308, 310, 312 are located above the respective left, middle and right cabin portions 302, 304, 306 and serve passengers in the respective four suite of cells 112 immediately below their respective cabinets.

Fig. 6 illustrates a cabin layout of a fourth travel suite, shown generally at 400. The cabin layout 400 may be part of a business cabin of, for example, a wide body aircraft, and is essentially the layout shown in fig. 4, including two or more similar four suite cells 112 in each of the left, center, and right side portions. The location, angle and arrangement of the suite and seat, and at least some of the privacy dividers, are the same as described above with reference to fig. 4 and the third bay layout 300.

Fig. 7 illustrates a cabin layout of a fifth travel suite, shown generally at 500. The cabin layout 500 may be part of a business cabin of a wide body aircraft, for example. The fifth cabin layout is divided into three substantially equal-width portions by first and second spaced apart longitudinal aisles 102 oriented parallel to an aircraft axis 104. In a non-limiting example, the direction of forward travel is indicated by directional arrow 106. These three sections include a left or port side section 502, a center section 504, and a right or starboard side section 506. Each of the left and right portions 502, 506 includes at least one four-suite unit 112 as discussed in detail herein. The four sets of cells 112 in the left portion 502 are mirrored with the four sets of cells 112 in the right portion 506 about a centerline bisecting the central portion 504. The two sets of cells 508 in the central portion 504 have a unique layout and a narrower width than the four sets of cells 112.

As shown, the two suite of cells 508 in the central portion 504 includes seats that are angled at greater than the maximum seat angle in the four suite of cells 112. Two or more suite cells are longitudinally aligned in the central portion 504. Each individual suite unit 508 includes a first suite 510 and a second suite 512 that include respective first seats 510A and second seats 510B. One seat 510A is positioned facing forward and angled toward the right side longitudinal aisle 102 and the other seat 512A is positioned facing rearward and angled toward the left side longitudinal aisle 102. In some embodiments, the seating angles are equal and opposite such that the seats face in opposite directions. The privacy divider 514 separates each cell pair and provides direct access to the aisle from the facing longitudinal aisles.

FIG. 8 shows an end view of the nacelle layout of FIG. 7 from the front to the rear of the nacelle, showing four sets of inter-cells 112 in the left and right side sections 502, 506 and two sets of inter-cells 508 in the center section 504.

Fig. 9 shows the four suite unit 112 showing each of the seats 114A, 116A, 118A, 120A in its upright seating position for TTOL. Fig. 10 shows a similar suite 112 as shown in fig. 9, showing each of the seats 114A, 116A, 118A, 120A converted to lie flat for sleep in flight. Fig. 11 shows a similar four suite cell 112 as shown in fig. 9, showing each of the seats 114A, 116A, 118A, 120A in an upright seating position, with the tray table 140 for the second and fourth seats 116A, 120A deployed and unfolded for use. Figure 12 shows a similar four suite of cells 112 as shown in figure 9, with a slightly different layout and configuration of the first privacy divider 126. Whereas the first privacy divider 126 shown in figure 1 is substantially perpendicular to the aircraft axis, the first privacy divider shown in figure 12 is angled with respect to the aircraft axis. Fig. 12 also shows possible storage positions for the tray table 140 tray table deployment direction for servicing each of the four seats 114A, 116A, 118A, 120A.

Fig. 13 and 14 show side-aisle and side-fuselage views, respectively, of one design of a four suite of cells 112, including a privacy shell configuration, and the second and third privacy partitions 128, 130 each include a retractable portion 142 that may be retracted to relax privacy or deployed to enhance privacy between laterally adjacent suites.

Although the foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by way of example only, it is anticipated that other embodiments may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.