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Being crammed into cattle class is one of the most dreadful experiences for travellers, but aeroplane seats of the future are poised to make it a little more enjoyable.

Designers around the world are creating economy and premium economy seats that are comfier and provide more legroom, and some of them have radical changes from today's chairs.

But passengers shouldn't expect any instant relief – these seats with reclining backrests, innovative armrests and ergonomic designs are still a few years off – and there's nothing they can do to stop a crying baby or noisy sleeper.

Crawley-based Acro Aircraft Seating recently unveiled the design for its new premium economy seat

Acro's 'Series 7' seat has hand-stitched leather armrests, an aluminium chassis and composite materials

The seats were designed to eliminate the sources of discomfort and provide more space for the occupants

Passengers who are willing to pay a little extra for a seat in premium economy – which brings more legroom and some of the perks of business class – could one day sit in seats designed by Crawley-based Acro Aircraft Seating.

Located next to Gatwick Airport, the firm is reshaping the future of the cabin that straddles business and economy with thinner and lighter seats that are designed with comfort and safety in mind.

The 'Series 7' seats, unveiled at last week's Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany,

Managing director Chris Brady said the seats were designed to eliminate the sources of discomfort and provide more space for the occupants.

He told MailOnline Travel: 'We believe that comfort is found in the spaces between seats.

Chris Brady, Acro's managing director, said big seats that are 'lazily padded' take up legroom

Acro currently makes thousands of economy class seats for airlines such as KLM, Thomas Cook and Spirit

'Padding is not a proxy for comfort, padding is a lazy way of delivering the right shape. What you really want to do is deliver a shape that is ergonomically proper – so the hips aren't shifted forward and the back is a little bit reclined.'

He added: 'If you have a big, fat six-inch seat that is lazily padded you are taking five inches of legroom. In our case our seat is less than half an inch thick at its thickest.'

Mr Brady said the seats – with an aluminium chassis, composite materials and hand-stitched leather armrests – must pass an onerous certification process, meaning they won't actually fly until 2017.

The firm, which received a Queen's Award for Enterprise this week, currently makes thousands of economy class seats for airlines such as KLM, Thomas Cook and Spirit.

Thompson Aero Seating has come up with a way to make the middle seat a less punishing experience

The 'Cozy Suite' has seats positioned at a slight diagonal angle, with dedicated sleeping positions

In Northern Ireland, Thompson Aero Seating has come up with a way to make the middle seat a less punishing experience.

The firm's 'Cozy Suite' would see seats positioned at a slight diagonal angle to give the passenger in the middle a little more breathing room.

Based south-west of Belfast, the company said the 'innovative and flexible solution' could be applied to economy and premium economy cabins.

It said the unconventional design offers increased seat and shoulder width, individual armrests, a dedicated sleeping position, improved egress and easier access to the aisle.

Hong Kong's Paperclip Design may have solved the elbow war problem with a dual-user armrest

The 'Meerkat Seat' concept has a number of features to improve comfort and store belongings

One of passengers' biggest gripes – especially for those stuck in the middle seat – is the battle for the armrest.

But Hong Kong's Paperclip Design may have solved the elbow war problem with a unique 'double-decker' armrest on long-haul economy seats designed by James Lee.

The armrest is shaped like a paperclip, allowing two passengers to use the armrest.

Mr Lee's 'Meerkat Seat' concept is intended for long-haul flights in economy, with a number of features to help those who bring too many of their possessions on board.

The backrest allowing passengers to relax without crushing the knees of the person seated behind them

The reclining seats have enough space for belongings, plus a stand for tablets and a fixed cup holder

Passengers in the 'Meerkat Seat' have a footrest and a personal cabinet instead of a seat pocket

It features a reclining backrest for sleeping, a tray with a stand for tablet computers and a footrest under the chair in front.

The backrest seats offer an alternative to the traditional recliner mode – allowing passengers to relax without crushing the knees of the person seated behind them.

The lower portion of the backrest cushion detaches, pushing the traveller forward in a 'deep recline' position, allowing them to stretch their legs out in front.

Mr Lee's design include a fixed cup holder – meaning the tray could be stowed – a personal cabinet instead of a seat pocket, a hook for headphones, a vanity mirror and a shared literary rack between every two seats.