Social distancing on aircraft would mean the era of “cheap travel is over,” according to IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac, who pointed out that to maintain any profitability most airlines would have to increase prices by 50% if every third seat was taken out.

Despite IATA’s opposition, however, some countries may extend their requirements to keep middle seats free out of lockdown and into the easing-off period when flights resume. 

While this would be bad news for airlines, it does present an opportunity for innovative cabin solutions, especially for seat manufacturers.

Safran, for example, is working on an adaption called that would allow airlines the option to quickly install a divider in the middle seat to provide a barrier between the adjoining two economy seats. For premium economy it has displayed padded wings that provide a degree of separation as well a place for passengers to lean on.

Such solutions may be effective during the time it takes to develop a coronavirus vaccine, but if airlines aren’t willing to forego middle seats for that period, Safran is also offering a clear, removable partition as part of a product line-up to tackle Covid-19 concerns that it plans to offer from this summer.

Other seat suppliers are working on their own easily retrofittable solutions and while these won’t compensate for the big dip in aftermarket demand caused by the crisis, it should at least provide some work for technical departments.

Furthermore, if efforts to develop a vaccine prove unsuccessful, airlines may have to start looking at more fundamental changes to the cabin, beyond quick-fix solutions like plastic partitions and seat dividers.

The result could be the first big shake-up in cabin appearance for 50 years.