Airbus studies 400 PAX A350-1000 moving lavs and galleys to a lower deck.

Airbus is considering adding a small lower deck to the A350-1000 jet to accommodate lavatories and kitchens.

This is not a new idea as it has been configured in some A330 and A340 as shown in the pictures, depending on cargo storage planned by each airline.

Source: Rafael Reca

Shifting these 'service areas' off the main deck would free up significant amounts of space for more seats in both business class and economy class, Airbus said.

"The average passenger doesn't want to sit next to a lav and doesn't want to sit next to a galley" explained Kiran Rao, Airbus Executive Vice-President for Strategy and Marketing.

Source: Mario Aurich

"As we move these service areas out of the passenger cabin we create space for more seats without compromising on comfort."

"So we are looking to utilize the under-floor area of the A350-1000 for galleys and lavs," Rao said at the launch of the aircraft manufacturer's Airspace cabin concept in London.

The space beneath the passenger deck is typically used for cargo but "on long aircraft you can't fill it all with cargo" Rao said, adding that this could mean larger galleys which would "give the cabin crew a nicer area to work in."

Although the A350-1000 will typically carry 366 passengers, freeing up space occupied by galleys and lavatories could boost the seat count closer to the 400 mark.

Based on the article “Airbus considers split-level layout for A350-1000” published in Australian Business Traveller.