Designer Creates Shields for Social
Distancing on Planes
Vocabulary
social distancing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
shield
separate
aisle
permanent
to be apart or cause to be apart, to divide
an object, device, etc. that provides protection
lasting for all the time in the future
the practice of avoiding or limiting contact with others in order to slow the spread of a disease
a passage between rows of seats in a church, aircraft, etc
Designer Creates Shields for Social Distancing on Planes
One industry that is seeing many changes because of COVID -19 is the
airline business, which is trying to find ways to protect passengers from
catching the virus. One idea, called PlanBay, involves using the middle seat
in a new way to help with social distancing.
PlanBay uses a thick piece of plastic as a shield that sits in the middle seat,
separating the window and aisle seats. It also includes a shield on the top of
seats to protect passengers from those in the row behind.
The idea is easy and cheap to create because it uses the seats that are
already on planes instead of replacing them with a new design. The shields
are not permanent and can be removed quickly once travel becomes safer.
PlanBay comes from French engineer Florian Barjot, who says his wif e gave
him the idea. Barjot told CNN that she was not only worried about
passengers sitting next to her, but also those behind her seat.
However, Barjot has not yet sold the design to an airline, and doesn't know
if it will be used on planes. The International Air Transport Association
(IATA) says it does not support any idea, like the PlanBay shield, that
makes middle seats unusable.
The IATA says that if airlines stopped using the middle seat, a ticket would
be between 43% and 54% more expensive compared to 2019 prices. It says
the risk of catching the virus on a plane is low and recommends passengers
use face masks when flying instead.
Discussion
1. What are your thoughts on PlanBay?
2. If you could change one thing about air travel, what would it be
and why?
3. Where do you prefer to sit when you fly? Why?
4. Do you often talk to the people sitting next to you on a plane?
Why? Why not?
5. Do you expect plane tickets to become cheaper or more
expensive over the next few years? Why?
Further Discussion
1. When was the last time you flew? Where did you go?
2. Which airlines have you flown with most often? Why?
3. What do you do to make sure you're comfortable when you fly?
Please explain your answer.
4. What was your worst flying experience ever? What made it so
bad?
5. What's the longest you've ever spent at an airport? Please
share your experience.