It's just a patent application (really?), but this seating schema … well, it's not nightmarish, but an interesting idea that has some major objective advantages and subjective drawbacks.
By offsetting the seats, and making for backward-facing seats, you do get extra leg room (and room that can't be easily squeezed out, as it would more seriously impact the ability of getting to your seats), as well as more shoulder/elbow room.
The cost is in being in facial contact with your row-mates, and pretty close contact at that. I can see that being fine with the family; I can also see that being more problematic with strangers. There also seems to be some weirdness with arm rests that would need to be resolved (though it balances with the shared arm rest issues of the current systems).
In short, it seems more practical, and objectively comfortable, but subjectively less desirable in some cases.
As I said, no airlines are considering this — at yet, or openly. But if it looks like a way to fit more bodies onto a plane (comfort or not), be sure that someone will be considering it very carefully.
Obviously they cannot be seated in first class so screw,em.
Well, to be fair, the airlines can't afford to fly everyone with the space and amenities of first class, not without charging a lot more than the normal steerage ticket passenger would want to pay.
That said, I'm not convinced that there is isn't a compromise with more reasonable seating, service, and a somewhat higher price.
I meant that those who cannot afford to fly first class let them eat cake.