New finite element human models representing elderly, disabled and overweight people for aircraft seat comfort simulation

In the growing but highly competitive market of the airline industry, airliners have to differentiate themselves from their competitors while increasing or maintaining their profitability. They request innovations in aircraft interior design to increase aircraft capacity, reduce airplane turn time through fast boarding and unloading operations, improve passenger comfort and living space, lighten aircrafts and meet safety requirements. So many necessary yet conflicting expectations, which make aircraft interior and seat design very challenging. In this context, it is easier to only manage average standard passenger population in product development phase. But morphology of passengers is evolving, as our population ages and increases in size and weight. More and more elderly people travel, and the senior market cannot be neglected by airliners. Regulations prevent also discrimination and airliners must now cater to all types of passengers, whatever their age, weight or disability.