This study explores the relationship between seat pitch and comfort, and the influencing factors, like space experience and anthropometric measurements. Two hundred ninety-four participants experienced economy class seats in a Boeing 737 with 28-inch, 30-inch, 32-inch and 34-inch seat pitches. Anthropometric measurements of the participants were measured. Participants completed a questionnaire on comfort (10-scale), discomfort (CP-50) and space experience and the results were analysed using SPSS 25. This study showed a significant relationship between seat pitch and comfort as well as discomfort. Additionally, it was found that the mean rank of discomfort of each pitch size for the middle seat was higher than the window and aisle seat, though seat pitch did affect the (dis)comfort more compared with seat location. It was also found that anthropometric sizes significantly affect the (dis)comfort on smaller pitch sizes, and all space experience questions had a correlation to the pitch sizes.

This study explores the relationship between space experience and human anthropometric sizes in different aircraft seat pitch. 294 participants experienced economy class seats in a Boeing 737 with 28 in, 30 in, 32 in and 34 in pitches for 10 min each. The sizes taken were: stature, sitting height, eye height seated, buttock-knee length and popliteal height sitting with shoes. A space experience questionnaire was completed by the 294 participants while sitting in the seat after the 10-min period given to explore the seat. The results show that passengers with a higher popliteal height, a longer buttock-knee depth, a higher eye height sitting and a higher sitting height show more discomfort with reduced pitch then shorter passengers. Eye height did not correlate as good with space perception as was expected.

This study investigates the tactile perceived influence of seat covers. Two identical BMW 3-Series seats are used, one with a leather cover and one with a fabric cover. Thirty healthy subjects participated in an experiment rating the tactile perceived properties of the seats while blindfolded. A discomfort test, a word pair rating and the overall experience of the seats were examined. The study has shown that not only the foam properties and the contour of the seat influences the seat characterisation but also the seat cover material. The leather and the fabric seats were characterised different, but the pressure distribution did not show so much differences. Furthermore, the perceived differentiation of the seats are distinctive for the seat pan and for the backrest. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate other characteristics of the seat like shear force related to various cover properties in combination with different seat components and contour combinations.