Proximity to other passengers and lack of personal space is generally seen as a downside of the economy class, but why not take advantage of this fact?
The idea is to take The Cuddle Party on board of scheduled intercontinental flights. (See link below if you don't know what a cuddle party is - and no, there is no sex involved!).
This is how it would happen: The "Welcome Circle" is held in the departure lounge an hour prior to boarding. This gives passengers a chance to get to know each other and decide who they are going to sit next to initially.
The main event happens during the actual flight, where cuddling your seat neighbours is encouraged. Every flight attendand is also trained as a coach and party mediator. Every two hours or so (a voluntary) swap around is organised, so that you don't need to cuddle the same two people for the whole 12 hour flight.
The "Closing Circle" is held in the arrivals lounge, for those who are not in a terrible hurry.
Imagine, wouldn't be flying in economy class be so much better if you could lean your head on the guy next to you, rather than having to sit in a tense position in order to avoid - god forbid - any physical contact?
Note: After reading some of the comments I'd like to add, this sort of thing isn't for everyone, but I can see a market for it on busy routes. Of course the flight would be advertised as such an event so we can assume that all the passengers are joining voluntarily.-- kinemojo, Dec 18 2006 Cuddle Party http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuddle_party [kinemojo, Dec 18 2006] Nudist charter flights http://www.guardian.../0,,2248984,00.html [imaginality, Jan 31 2008] you're adorable but I don't think I'd like to do this. Sorry.-- pigtails_and_ponies, Dec 18 2006 Cuddle Party? Don't you know spooning leads to forking? ;-)-- TerranFury, Dec 18 2006 Would you want your young, innocent, pretty, and vulnerable daughter to be cuddled by some goofy looking 45-year-old man with glasses, a long beard, and a crazy look in his eyes? I could see it now- "Ohh.. you are sooo pretty... ohhhhh yes..."-- Jscotty, Dec 18 2006 What are the Puerto Ricans doing with all that touching at dinner? Feeding each other? Slapfights over the spuds? Footsie?-- bungston, Dec 18 2006 I thought that this would be about tiny sound proof cabins that would allow couples to Mile High Club like bunnies en-route.-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Dec 19 2006 I think we should start with the office elevator and see how that goes.-- zigness, Dec 19 2006 Boooo. We've only got stairs. Though there are, indeed, a few people working here who I wouldn't mind being stuck in the lift with.
And I'm sorry. I can't see the idea working. Sounds nice if everyone on the flight is pleasant enough to want to touch but, hey, I know, I just know who'll get stuck with the glutinously oily, bad-breathed business-studies student for the first half and some drippy, esoteric flannel woman who doesn't believe in soap (one of the ones with a single loose plait hanging over their shoulder) for the second half. Who? Me. Thats who.-- squeak, Dec 19 2006 Why not just have everyone on rotating heart shaped beds like on Austin Power's jet.
[squeak]'s right of course; some people smell.-- theleopard, Dec 19 2006 I'm in favour of this - the more popular "Cuddle Class" is, the more people will use it, leaving more room on the aeroplane for me in "Glorious, Untroubled Solitude Class".-- hippo, Dec 19 2006 I stopped reading at //Cuddle Party// it just sounds horrible.-- Chefboyrbored, Dec 19 2006 And now after reading the link I find I have good judgement.-- Chefboyrbored, Dec 19 2006 showers in the departure area? complimentary pyjamas?-- kinemojo, Dec 21 2006 I don't fly because I'm a 'fraidy cat. But this would make it a lot easier to do so.-- Noexit, Dec 21 2006 //And of course for security reasons, everyone also travels naked. - Ian Tindale, Dec 18 2006//
Nudist charter flights are about to be up and running in Germany - see link. Although according to the article, "Pilots and cabin crew will remain clothed "for security reasons.""-- imaginality, Jan 31 2008 random, halfbakery