We’re increasingly seeing airlines introduce business class seats with doors, which is something that most travelers are happy about. Of course we all have different preferences when it comes to seating arrangements, and there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some people even prefer older generation business class seats, especially if traveling as a couple or family.
In this post, I’d like to discuss the general trend of airlines adding doors to business class seats. Personally it’s a feature I greatly appreciate, though I’d also like to acknowledge and address some of the arguments I see against this feature — I get some of the points, but I find other arguments against them to be hard to make sense of.
In this post:
The odd arguments against business class doors
I can totally appreciate if someone were to say “I don’t really care about doors at business class seats, and I don’t use them when they’re offered, so I’d rather airlines invest in their premium products in other ways.”
However, all too often when I write about business class seats with doors (whether it’s discussion of a new product being introduced, a flight review, etc.), I get a comment along these lines (this is a real comment, and of course there are a countless number of similar examples):
I don’t understand this obsession with doors. I mean, if you need privacy on a plane that badly, what on earth are you doing in your seat?? And if you need privacy so much, then why do you fly commercial? Clearly, your only solution is to rent a private jet. Then you can have all the privacy you want.
Somehow the narrative gets flipped to the point that it’s suggested that people are “obsessed” with doors, and that if they have such a need for privacy they should fly private jets. That’s quite an escalation, no?
Apparently one can’t just be appreciative of an incremental product improvement that makes the passenger experience a bit better. To be clear, I’m not trying to call out one specific comment here. Rather I just find the anti-door crowd frequently tries to create a narrative around peoples’ obsession with doors, when I don’t think that exists.
In the above quote you could just as easily replace doors with direct aisle access, flat beds, etc.
Why I like doors at business class seats
Personally I appreciate business class seats with doors. Am I obsessed with doors? No, I’d like to think I’m not. Do I choose an airline exclusively because a business class seat has a door? No.
Then again, typically if an airline does have doors on business class seats, it also means that it’s a modern product otherwise. Last I checked, all business class seats with doors have direct aisle access and are fully flat.
Why do I generally appreciate business class seats with doors? If you ask me, the two biggest luxuries in business class are personal space and privacy. There are limits to how much “real estate” will be allocated to each seat, and therefore airlines are focused on more efficient configurations that create the feeling of having more space.
And that leaves us with privacy. Privacy doesn’t mean that you can’t have anyone see you because you’re trying to join the mile high club or because you’re a drug runner. Rather to me, privacy means the ability to minimize the extent to which you’re disturbed by others. This can come in a variety of forms:
- We all have different sleeping patterns and quirks, and personally I rest much better if I’m in a cozy space where I feel like I have a cocoon, and am not having to look at a stranger (or feel like a stranger may be looking at me)
- You’re less impacted by other people turning on their lights or using a bright entertainment screen when you have a door
- We’ve all had some pretty annoying seatmates (whether they talk to you nonstop, look at your computer screen, etc.), and that’s less of a problem if you have a seat with a door
- If you’ve ever been in a staggered configuration, surely you’ll appreciate that if you’re in the seats closest to the aisle you may otherwise frequently get bumped by other passengers, and that’s not an issue when there’s a door
- This might sound minor, but I’ve sometimes ended up on flights where I’m not someone who is obviously very sick, sneezing and blowing their nose constantly, etc., a suite with a door offers a bit of separation from that
- The beauty of a seat with a door is that you can just keep the door open; there is a little more built in privacy just due to the shield to the side of the seat, but that shouldn’t make the seat claustrophobic
While some people may not like these doors, the reality is that a vast majority of passengers do. How do we know? Well, if you’ve taken a flight that has a business class cabin with doors, you’ve probably noticed that a majority of passengers use these doors. Presumably they wouldn’t use them if they didn’t like them. At least that’s my experience, though maybe others have different observations.
I sort of view business class seats with doors the same as I view high speed Wi-Fi on aircraft. Both are nice to have, and if you don’t value them, you don’t have to use them!
Bottom line
I totally understand that not everyone cares about doors on business class seats. I get it. Heck, even when I take my dad in international first class, he doesn’t like to recline his seat, but rather likes to sleep upright, as that’s just his preference (I’ll admit it gets on my nerves a bit, because I’m thinking “if you want to sit fully upright, I could’ve just booked you economy!”). 😉
I do have a preference for seats with doors over seats without doors. That simply comes down to me finding it cozy to be able to close a door and relax. It seems that most people feel similarly, based on passengers overwhelmingly using their privacy doors when they’re available.
Where do you stand on business class seats with doors — are you “obsessed,” do you like them, are you indifferent, or do you dislike them?
A door that isn't used does harm the seat, though, by removing otherwise usable width. It's not like one can just choose not to use the door and get the width back. As far as I've experienced, only Q Suites has a door tall enough to actually feel more private than without it; every other door I've experienced has just been a gimmicky piece of short sliding plastic that adds nothing to the experience but wastes precious real estate.
I'm agnostic, I'm more one who looks at the package as a whole and whether there's a door is just one aspect. I'm no jet-setter but I've seen enough to be able to have formed opinions. My three most recent CX trips have each had one Aria sector and the other in the older seats, and my impressions differed from one trip to another, so clearly other factors had come into play. I've settled on...
I'm agnostic, I'm more one who looks at the package as a whole and whether there's a door is just one aspect. I'm no jet-setter but I've seen enough to be able to have formed opinions. My three most recent CX trips have each had one Aria sector and the other in the older seats, and my impressions differed from one trip to another, so clearly other factors had come into play. I've settled on the view that Aria is better, the door is nice, but I would prioritise fare and schedule over which seat there was, and choose Aria all else being equal. Sixteen hours in one of the older seats was fine, but the flight on to Sydney in Aria was a definite step up.
I've flown TPAC on other door-less J products, one I would try not to repeat but that wasn't about the seat. Good afternoon, AA.
"incremental product improvement that makes the passenger experience a bit better. To be clear, "
AA has told us that removing tvs is good for fuel economy. So it's messed up when they turn around and add weight for something much less useful
I’m not against doors, but I would much prefer to have the extra inch or two of seat/bed width instead of the seclusion. I’m usually too tall to put the seat all the way flat (since I can’t bend my knees without running into the top of the foot box) and my shoulders are wider than most of the seats, so giving up any length or width is a poor trade for me.
Doors are just as Ben has said in his post here! They provide a variety of benefits, whether you appreciate them or not!!
Thanks Ben
So far, I’d say Q-Suites is the only J product that’s managed to do doors right. All the others are gimmicks.
I suspect the complainers don't fly front cabin, or they're the obnoxious babbling extroverts that everybody else tries to avoid.
I mean cmon, you need personal space or sleeping in private explained? Welcome to Planet Earth, if so.
Ben clearly explains many, many reasons doors are a good thing. No obsession here either, but it's super useful for the stated reasons.
Lucky may not have had an obsession with doors (I don’t think they existed back then) but, come on Ben, you have an unnatural obsession with privacy on airplanes. And this carries over to doors in F and C.
I thought it was unusual for the level of privacy you wished for the first few times I read those posts on OMAAT. But it’s continued over the years. And each time thereafter, I’d think “there...
Lucky may not have had an obsession with doors (I don’t think they existed back then) but, come on Ben, you have an unnatural obsession with privacy on airplanes. And this carries over to doors in F and C.
I thought it was unusual for the level of privacy you wished for the first few times I read those posts on OMAAT. But it’s continued over the years. And each time thereafter, I’d think “there he goes again.”
You may not pick flights or airlines based on doors, but whether intentional or not, often there is a not-so-subtle bias for a higher need for privacy in many of your posts.
It’s neither right nor wrong. You have your preferences. And that’s ok. I have my preferences - I ask the FAs not to close my door.
I personally enjoy seeing doors in business class, but unfortunately, I often find myself unable to sleep with the door closed because I feel extremely warm. This is particularly problematic on planes without individual air nozzles. I’m not sure if this is a common experience or if it’s just me.
I value seat width as the highest. Door configuration business class takes away a lot of the cabin spaciousness feel on a wide body aircraft.
Just put on a face mask and ear plugs for "privacy". So, low value for me on doors.
BTW, it's ridiculous the arguments by US airlines FA unions on the "additional workload" when preparing for landing.... why is this no an issue with rest of the Global airline industry?
Yes gimmick as all the others have said.
I like an audience when I sleep with my legs wide open.
I don’t need no silly privacy doors. I need more space to spread them wide.
For me the doors are claustrophobic. It's not just the doors though, it's the other three walls around you as well. The walls also keep you from being able to look out an open window on the side if you're in the middle section. Last month I was on a Virgin Atlantic flight and asked the flight attendant to please keep my door open the entire flight. Every time I woke up my door had been closed.
Personally I value a door very much. It's a great benefit that is not generally not obvious. If you are awake for your entire flight then the door is superfluous.
But what I notice is that on flights where I really want to fall asleep to adjust to jetlag for example, I rarely sleep that deeply without the use of pharmacuticals. But sleeping with a door is a big help. Ellen I'm asleep on...
Personally I value a door very much. It's a great benefit that is not generally not obvious. If you are awake for your entire flight then the door is superfluous.
But what I notice is that on flights where I really want to fall asleep to adjust to jetlag for example, I rarely sleep that deeply without the use of pharmacuticals. But sleeping with a door is a big help. Ellen I'm asleep on a plane I can tell I'm not in rem sleep because subconsciously I am aware of movements pass my seat. Yes even with my eyes closed and sleeping lightly. Enough that it interfere with my sleep. I rarely sense movements on flights with a door. It's one reason I rarely feel beat up after a jetblue flight. Though they have done away work doors on a lot of flights now.
I looked at a QSuite the other day on a route I'm taking, and it was more points but doable, frankly I looked at photos and read a review and said "who cares?" For the same price or a little more, sure. But what is truly important to me is to be able to lie flat. I don't need bragging rights.
The point is exactly space vs. privacy. All seats with doors that I have flown have materially compromised space, especially around the feet. This is a real deal killer for me.
I flew Cathay’s aria last month. Fantastic in every way except I couldn’t sleep because my feet hit one thing or another with the slightest movement. Please give me the current gen 777 business seat any day over aria for this reason alone.
I much prefer the type of business class seat that is shielded and staggered in such a way that you cannot see of be seen by the person across the aisle. I appreciate the arguments people make about preferring doors. I tend to leave mine open. Just my preference.
They are like the shower on board EK - 100% a gimmick.
I suspect the people who rave about them like them because they want to play with themselves...
A gimmick
They're dumb. I'm surprised any airline has installed these. They add weight and do nothing for the passenger.
Remember that airlines exist to sell transportation to the public. If you want privacy so desperately then fly private.
You’re making the case for doors here. If I want privacy, I now don’t have to fly private. On many routes, I can look for an airline / aircraft that offers doors in J.
It's sometimes been said that, "business class is all about the seat", and having the added privacy of a closed door while one sleeps or works is a bonus to me. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's much appreciated.
Anecdotally, I'd say this blog gives farrrrrrrrrrr more credence to the use/desire for doors than any actual flyer does.
However, the fact that airlines are not only maintaining, but adding them, gives me pause. I'd think they would want to be rid of doors, to decrease weight and complexity. But they aren't.
So maybe they have data that shows people do tangible appreciate them, to the point of being value-added.
According to this blog it's fine for a gay person to fly with an extremely anti-gay airline of a country that criminalizes same-sex sexual activity, carrying penalties of up to seven years in prison because they have 'Suites'. I mean what to expect then...
Team Door. Invaluable when you're a sole female flying.
I won't go out of my way to book a door, but when I have one I use/appreciate it. 10 years ago I woke up to a man (not a seatmate) stroking my arm in lay flat biz and having a bit more of a barrier makes me feel safer & sleep better.
The Doors are awesome… ‘baby won’t you light my fire…’ (oh, in business class? Yeah, sure!)
Team Door here. They can make a space feel cozy, private and protected. Nothing rolls or sticks out when you just want to cocoon yourself for a looong flight. I just feel more relaxed and settled in. Cuts down on screen glare too. Less distractions from crew and other passengers walking by.
I find them claustrophobic and stuffy. Especially on planes without overhead air vents. I am not a big screen person so what would I look at if I couldn't see the rest of the cabin? Business class suites already provide a level of privacy I previously could only have dreamed about. I am not a celebrity or an eccentric mysterious millionaire recluse, so I don't really care about privacy that much.
When I have had a suite with a door, I didn't use it.
I love doors, especially cause they reduce noise and light. And I laugh at the anti-door crowd, especially those who say they are not necessary, which is a very ULCC point of view.
While not a game changer on par with flat bed, it is still super important feature for me. I would always choose seat with door over standard one and I actively select this product despite connection/worse schedule, worse internet.
doors were cool when they first launched now they feel like a gimmick, honestly shocked airlines arent removing them all to save weight at this point.
That right there, is what surprises me most.
That's one of the reasons why biz is costly. Weight and space are expensive commodities on a commercial airliner.
Surely the seats were certified WITH doors. Remove them from existing seats and you’ll have to re-certify again.
I'm indifferent. Also in a related note Lucky, did you see the report from Executive Traveller today that JAL is going to install a similar version of their A35K J suites on their 789s? Eleven of their current 789s will be retrofitted, and the ten new deliveries for 2028-2031 will have them.
I guess the doors are nice, but I don't miss them at all when I fly on planes without them. Definitely not something that would drive me to pay more or take a less convenient routing. Now that I think about it, my last r/t to Europe was on planes without doors (United & KLM 787s) and I didn't even notice.
Most of KLM’s long-haul fleet has now been retrofitted with business class in a 1-2-1 configuration, all with doors. The doors are actually a sort-of stiff PVC, presumably to save weight. The whole set-up is rather nice — and much better than the doorless 2-2-2 configuration it has replaced.
But then, I’m Team Door. If you don’t like the doors, don’t use them.
It's one of those don't knock till you try it things. My single experience was on JL 12 on their A35K in J. Loved it! It's perception and the door closing makes you feel like you have the space to yourself even when your neighbor is like right there.
I kept it closed for sleeping but honestly preferred it open when awake just so I can get better service from the FA's (lots of refills on drinks and food)
To me, privacy is not a fact but a feeling. If it feels private then good enough for me, so I like doors
But don’t they take away from personal space in terms of elbow room? The wall thickness could be used for the seat.
They don’t really help with privacy, when I stand up I see everyone over the doors.
It depends on the door. In F on many airlines they are usually adding significant privacy which is great (EK as an example). In Qatar J they do add to privacy given the dimensions and are quite nice. In BA Club at the other side of the spectrum I find them fairly absurd other than, maybe, for sleeping. They are just too low and really offer no additional privacy, just annoyance in opening and closing....
It depends on the door. In F on many airlines they are usually adding significant privacy which is great (EK as an example). In Qatar J they do add to privacy given the dimensions and are quite nice. In BA Club at the other side of the spectrum I find them fairly absurd other than, maybe, for sleeping. They are just too low and really offer no additional privacy, just annoyance in opening and closing.
Overall I do like them, but if you are going to go to the trouble of installing them at least do so in a way that delivers the intention: more privacy.
My last experience with a "door" was on BA Club, where the FA needed several minutes to get it to operate because apparently the previous passenger had managed to jam it. Calling that feature a "door" is like calling the panel between urinals a "wall." Perhaps the next post on the subject can include a variety of photos so those of us who don't travel as often will know what you are talking about. As...
My last experience with a "door" was on BA Club, where the FA needed several minutes to get it to operate because apparently the previous passenger had managed to jam it. Calling that feature a "door" is like calling the panel between urinals a "wall." Perhaps the next post on the subject can include a variety of photos so those of us who don't travel as often will know what you are talking about. As we were told in high school English class, write an essay to "contrast and compare."
I prefer seats with doors. I need a flatbed but most of all i want a matrass pad. This combination guarantees the option to sleep on a 9+ hour transatlantic flight. I do not mind paying a premium for a good business class seat but without a door and matrass it is not worth it imo.
I'm not bothered about whether my seat includes a door, I'm far more interested in a nice glass of single malt and a breakfast that doesn't include a sausage whose meat content is under 50%.
I think some of the backlash has to do with airlines marketing the hell out of the product. 'It's not just a flat seat, it's a suite!!!!! with a door!!!11'. Most people aren't happy when they see others trying to insult their intelligence with that pointless sort of hype.
Neither. Not a gimmick, not a great deal. They provide a bit more privacy, I don't need to look at someone else's feet, and I don't feel like someone might see what I'm watching. They're a nice addition that's not a game changer, but it provides a nice little benefit vs seats without doors.
I would trade a door for a larger footwell 11 out of 10 times.
How about a 747 First Class seat with lots of room , no doors , lower fares , and attractive stewardesses with good moves ?
We have Regressed .
Too bad you've probably missed the infamous Braniff "Air Strip" of the 1960's !! ... Talk about great F/A 'moves' ... lol
While not necessarily "obsessed", this blog is certainly more than just "appreciative" of doors. While its nice to have a door, this blog does tend to value them disproportionately higher than other amenities.
They're nice when sleeping, but definitely not necessary.
I probably couldn't care less about the door.. I'd rather have a more comfortable lie flat seat with a roomy footwell. Looking at you ANA The Room and its narrow footwell.
So.. just a difference in priorities for people
I can understand the point and maybe can offer a valid argument for NO doors? Open spaces feel way better for me than closed ones, therefore an upgrade in a suite often feels like a downgrade for me if I get two small rooms instead of one (bigger) room...
The more introverted , the more the desire for doors . the smaller and more flexible the person , like a small gymnast girl , the more comfortable are the twisted cramped business seats .
feel free to provide data to support that statement.
It is not much different than some people prefer to sleep in tents when outdoors while others are find sleeping directly under the stars. even if rain is not forecast.
A tent might provide some protection but it isn't really that big of a factor compared to a house.
Doors are part of the "elvation" of the business class product which justifies higher and higher fares....
feel free to provide data to support that statement.
It is not much different than some people prefer to sleep in tents when outdoors while others are find sleeping directly under the stars. even if rain is not forecast.
A tent might provide some protection but it isn't really that big of a factor compared to a house.
Doors are part of the "elvation" of the business class product which justifies higher and higher fares. Doors take up little space.
and, as Ben notes, the majority of people do use them at some point in the flight no matter how much people want to anecdotally argue that they don't
Tim ... Alert's statement is supported by the following : Introverted people also like to go into closets during parties . A small flexible gymnast girl would be able to curl up or roll about in a confined space . A normal male with a lawn mower would not be comfortable .
However Tim's statement discloses that the "justification" is "higher and higher fares" . Why would any rational person want to pay "higher and...
Tim ... Alert's statement is supported by the following : Introverted people also like to go into closets during parties . A small flexible gymnast girl would be able to curl up or roll about in a confined space . A normal male with a lawn mower would not be comfortable .
However Tim's statement discloses that the "justification" is "higher and higher fares" . Why would any rational person want to pay "higher and higher fares" to be twisted and cramped , and then locked in with no means of escape ?
And referring to doors as an "elevation" , is like saying that an elevator is a door , or an escalator is a sidewalk , or a basement is a penthouse , or a vast jungle is a garden . There is nothing "elevating" about a trap-door .
no, the justification for higher fares is a better product.
your statement about introverts is stupid and baseless
Doors are probably number 5 or 6 on my list when selecting a flight. Price, schedule and route, seat comfort, IFE, food, service all come ahead.
Ryanair .
Damn, all my plebeian privacy is obtained from my eye mask.
Knowing how airlines are more about efficiency than cleaning, these doored cabin concepts just seem to provide more surface area for the promotion of the aircraft germ factory that it is.
Side note if one is so obsessed with germs, flying or flying public is not the way to go, doors or no doors.
Howardly Hughesly
Germs ? Street food in Karachi , Pakistan ?
“ Germs ? Street food in Karachi , Pakistan ?”
Are you drilling holes into your own head? Is that why you are…the way you are? Don’t get me wrong, you’re my favorite commenter, and never ever change!
Yes doors are awesome. However on UA every other seat is beside the window, and those seats are so private realistically you don't need a door.
As someone else mentioned I think High Speed free WiFi is actually more important! That's a game changer.
How Delta expects to fly to Asia with slow wifi till 2029 will be an issue
Who ever heard of "high speed doors" ?
Almost every airline has every other seat by the window? Delta was also second (JetBlue) to introduce free WiFi which forced the hands of every other airline into doing the same, so you should be thanking them for that.
They are nothing more than a gimmick, and you have a "thing" for them
I'm not anti-door but I don't prefer them. If people want the privacy, great, I just find it creepy when the FAs come by In the middle of the night peering over to see how you're doing.
I've been on a few different airline products (including Delta) with doors and my personal experience was most of those airline Flight Attendants closing the door for you after you fall asleep, me opening it, them closing...
I'm not anti-door but I don't prefer them. If people want the privacy, great, I just find it creepy when the FAs come by In the middle of the night peering over to see how you're doing.
I've been on a few different airline products (including Delta) with doors and my personal experience was most of those airline Flight Attendants closing the door for you after you fall asleep, me opening it, them closing it again, etc.
Frankly, it was also just a little cumbersome in the night trying to find the release handle if you need to use the bathroom.
But as you state, Lucky, I seem to be in the minority.
also just more claustrophobic to me on a metal tube
since DL has had suites with doors for the better part of a decade and has them on about half of its widebody fleet while AA and UA are just now rolling out planes with suites and doors.
Of course you have had to be on DL planes to get suites with doors if you fly US carriers.
and you aren't the norm - to precisely no one's surprise. The majority of people use doors...
since DL has had suites with doors for the better part of a decade and has them on about half of its widebody fleet while AA and UA are just now rolling out planes with suites and doors.
Of course you have had to be on DL planes to get suites with doors if you fly US carriers.
and you aren't the norm - to precisely no one's surprise. The majority of people use doors at some point in the flight
Apparently others don't have the issues including with claustrophobia that trouble you
You really can't ever shut up, can you?
nope and won't.
he's just weird and earns every bit of what he gets.
I think this is all about personal space and the perception of it. Back in the old days, seat pitch was all that mattered and there are some old products still out there paying tribute to that, such as Lufthansa‘s and Turkish Airlines‘ old business class.
Then „aisle access“ became the next crucial feature and staggered products had to be invented as you cannot keep the same pitch and still offer aisle access from...
I think this is all about personal space and the perception of it. Back in the old days, seat pitch was all that mattered and there are some old products still out there paying tribute to that, such as Lufthansa‘s and Turkish Airlines‘ old business class.
Then „aisle access“ became the next crucial feature and staggered products had to be invented as you cannot keep the same pitch and still offer aisle access from every seat.
Now this meant that all the sudden a lot of your space was no longer between you and the row in front, but it was UNDERNEATH the row in front.
Some of these new products can disappoint, because they look all flashy and nice and have the oh-so important aisle access feature but nevertheless still feel tight, because the row in front is actually not very far away.
I was not particularly fond of the „new“ Cabin on TK‘s 789s, because they do feel tight.
Now, this issue is exacerbated by the use of doors and you can finally seal your fate of flying in a coffin in a product with a door.
In the end, there will not be more space than in the product without doors, but it will feel even tighter if you close yourself off completely.
What may appear as a „cozy cocoon“ for some, may appear as a stuffy coffin to others.
I really only appreciate those doors in seats which are otherwise a design flaw, due to being too open to the aisle. If the design is right, I don’t need them and I actually feel better without them.
"I sort of view business class seats with doors the same as I view high speed Wi-Fi on aircraft"
True, with the main difference being that you usually have to pay to use Wi-Fi (bar Starlink), while the presence of a door is usually there for everyone in the same cabin.
I will say that I was initially a part of the "doors are overrated" crowd until I got around to actually doing a long haul flight in Q-Suites. It's hard to overstate how much better I feel coming off of those flights where the high walls allow me to trick my brain into thinking I'm by myself (especially as I place myself in the lowest traffic part of the cabin).
There's a mental stress...
I will say that I was initially a part of the "doors are overrated" crowd until I got around to actually doing a long haul flight in Q-Suites. It's hard to overstate how much better I feel coming off of those flights where the high walls allow me to trick my brain into thinking I'm by myself (especially as I place myself in the lowest traffic part of the cabin).
There's a mental stress and a feeling of being "on" that disappears that I didn't know I had until it was removed.
Doors can be gimmicks, as seen Club Suites where I can see right over the top of everyone's seat anyway, but the better seats such as Q-Suites or the ex Areoflot Air India flights do them in a way that really makes a difference.
There are always weirdos in the comments but I don't think most people who post anti-door notes are actually against them. I think most (rational) people are just tired of constantly reading about them. That's not a comment for you, Ben. Seemingly every outlet constantly screams about how amazing they are. I do get it, though. We're at a point where the seats themselves can only be improved so much, and this is the next...
There are always weirdos in the comments but I don't think most people who post anti-door notes are actually against them. I think most (rational) people are just tired of constantly reading about them. That's not a comment for you, Ben. Seemingly every outlet constantly screams about how amazing they are. I do get it, though. We're at a point where the seats themselves can only be improved so much, and this is the next big adjustment. I personally think they're a nice feature but I couldn't care less if my seat doesn't have one.
I like them and the way they send a message to not bug me.
Let me grab some popcorn
I would prefer curtains to be honest.
While I've never flown business class with doors yet, I'm currently indifferent. Cathay's herringbone configuration already provides a good amount of privacy. The only time a door would be useful is if you need complete privacy when working on your device.
Then again, one could look over your seat(suite).
Ben is right on here.
The majority of doors are closed when the majority of people are sleeping which says that there is something secure about being able to close the door and feel more private. some people close them when they are not sleeping but usage is highest during sleep phase.
the analogy to WiFi is correct and should also include AVOD; it is harder to see how many people are connected to...
Ben is right on here.
The majority of doors are closed when the majority of people are sleeping which says that there is something secure about being able to close the door and feel more private. some people close them when they are not sleeping but usage is highest during sleep phase.
the analogy to WiFi is correct and should also include AVOD; it is harder to see how many people are connected to WiFi but it isn't hard to see that the majority of people on AVOD equipped aircraft - even on 2 hour domestic aircraft - do use AVOD for part of the flight.
You're in a shared metal tube. If being close to people makes you feel uncomfortable, for example fear of catching something, then an airplane is not the place for you. Doors are nice but not a deal breaker.
Think of the number of people that use the lav inflight, particularly a long haul of eight hours plus flight time. That's why people with a compromised immune system, like the elderly, really should think twice before flying.
@ George N Romey -- Nobody denies that we're in a shared metal tube. And nobody is saying they're "uncomfortable" if they don't have a door. The point is that many people are *more* comfortable if they have a door.
I think your logic jump there is along the lines of the extreme example I gave. I prefer a seat with doors if possible, as do (seemingly) most passengers, based on how frequently they're...
@ George N Romey -- Nobody denies that we're in a shared metal tube. And nobody is saying they're "uncomfortable" if they don't have a door. The point is that many people are *more* comfortable if they have a door.
I think your logic jump there is along the lines of the extreme example I gave. I prefer a seat with doors if possible, as do (seemingly) most passengers, based on how frequently they're used. And you're somehow suggesting that because we have that preference, we should just stay home?
I always appreciate your contributions, but that seems a bit extreme, no?
WTF @George?? Does my being elderly disturb you somehow? Better close your door for the whole flight maybe.