Q Ease is an inflight restroom queuing system integrated in the entertainment display on back of the seat, to solve the inconvenience and unsafety of waiting in line during a flight. Using Q Ease, passengers can join a virtual queue and stay seated while waiting. Real-time updates of the number of people ahead allow them to plan their activities accordingly. Once it is their turn, they receive a notification to head to the restroom. A separate line is reserved for emergency and special needs. Q Ease improves customer satisfaction, and the working efficiency of flight crews, enhancing the flying experience.
Q Ease is an inflight queuing system to improve restrooms using experience on airplanes.
Ethnographic research methods were employed to understand stakeholders behavior and needs, the restroom experience should be more comfortable and efficient. Travelers feel anxiously in line. It is unsafe standing especially during the turbulence, disrupting crews activities. Also flights need a more systematic way to maintain the facilities.
Q Ease was developed as a solution. Passengers stay seated to join the virtual queue by controlling the entertainment screen and get notified when it is their turn to use the restroom. A pop-up window shows real-time updates, and it can be minimized into a floating icon at the corner of the screen, continually enjoying the entertainment when waiting. The Notification window pops up when it is your turn. A roadmap shows up on the window indicating the path to the restroom you are assigned, plus the sign next to the restroom turns green and your seat number shows up on it. After using, you touch the screen again and the queue moves on to the next person. An express line is left for emergency use and special needs. You can leave the line whenever you want.
High-contrast color and simple language are employed in the user interface, ensuring the system is accessible to all passengers.
Overall, Q Ease improves customer satisfaction, and the working efficiency of flight crews, enhancing the flying experience.