New seat design

New seat design

After years of financial struggles, the nation’s airlines are now collecting hefty profits thanks in part to industrywide efforts to squeeze more seats into the economy section of most planes.

But if you thought airlines were finished trying to shoehorn more seats into each plane, think again.

One of the world’s largest airline seat makers, Zodiac Seats France, has applied for a patent to reconfigure the seats on airplanes so that every other passenger in a row is facing toward the back of the plane.

That means that in a row of three fliers, the seat by the window and the seat by the aisle face toward the front of the plane while the middle seat faces toward the back.

To make it easier to exit, the seats flip up when a passenger stands, like the seats in many movie theaters.

This seat design – called Economy Class Cabin Hexagon – can increase the number of passengers who can fit on a typical Boeing 767 by up to 80 fliers, depending on the existing layout.

Geography quiz

Q. Which state in the Lower 48 has the longest coastline on the ocean?

A. Florida. It totals more than 1,260 miles. Next longest is California, at 840.

New combo ticket

NEW YORK

The Empire State Building has announced the launch of a new ticket package that offers a discount on four New York City tourist attractions.

The ticket includes admission to the Empire State Building Observatory, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise and a City Sights Bus Tour.

The combo ticket, called NYC It All, costs $99 — a savings of $43. Kids under 6 are free.

For information, visit www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets.

Volcano to erupt less frequently

LAS VEGAS

The Mirage volcano on the Las Vegas Strip is erupting less frequently, but not for any geological reason.

The man-made volcano that has been spewing fire and water since the hotel’s 1989 opening, a first-of-its-kind attraction, will now offer two to three nightly shows as the Strip’s topography continues to evolve.

Before last week, the volcano erupted every half-hour beginning at dusk until midnight, wind permitting.

The company will monitor how much money the change saves, how much it will cut energy consumption and the reaction of visitors, company spokeswoman Mary Hynes said.

There’s nothing in the works to change the frequency of the company’s Bellagio fountain show, she said.

The volcano is scheduled to erupt at 8 and 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

An additional 10 p.m. show will be offered Friday and Saturday.

Combined dispatches