Airbus Eyes Folding Seats In Jets For Fast Turnaround Wednesday June 23, 12:53 PM EDT PARIS -(Dow Jones)- Airbus (ABI.YY) said Wednesday it's studying a " revolutionary" development in aircraft interior design that could shave precious minutes in aircraft turnaround time: folding seats. The aircraft manufacturer said it's discussing the new seat concept with airlines interested in installing them in economy class cabins "as part of its constant drive to improve comfort for passengers." The new seat's main objective, according to Airbus, is to make it easier for passengers and crew to move around the cabin and access overhead stowage. The seats operate like those in theaters, cinemas and subway trains, with the base and arm rest folding up when the seat is empty. The advantage, the European company claims, is that passengers' movements along the aisle are facilitated, as are access to the center and window seats. Perhaps the main argument that will appeal to airlines, however, is a significant reduction in aircraft turnaround time between a flight arrival and the next departure. A folding seat configuration will allow cleaners to service an aircraft more quickly. Airbus said that with turnaround speed in mind, it is proposing a clip-shaped magazine holder that can't be misused as a waste bin. Hailing it as "the first major improvement in economy class seat design since the slim-line seat developed in the 1980s," Airbus said the new design could be in service in about two years. That would make it available just in time for the entry of Airbus' A380 super-jumbo, the world's largest commercial aircraft. The double-decked, wide- bodied aircraft will be capable of carrying 555 passengers in three classes in its baseline configuration, but stretch variants and single-class configurations will be capable of transporting up to 800 passengers. Airbus is 80% controlled by European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co (5730.FR) . BAE Systems PLC (BA.LN) owns the remaining 20%. -By David Pearson, Dow Jones Newswires; +33140171740, david.pearson@ dowjones.com Roger EWROPS