Abstract: A seating unit for a passenger system utilizing rows of seating units applicable to compartments in aircraft, buses or the like. The seating unit has two or more seats wherein each seat is provided with a backrest and an armrest at each seat side so that an armrest between two seats may be shared by adjacent occupants. The seats in a row are mounted next to one another, but are offset or staggered alternately several centimeters with respect to each other, by individual, horizontally spaced pivot assemblies and base frame members for each seat in the unit. The staggered seats and backrests in a multiple unit arrangement provide the occupants with increased shoulder, elbow, and leg space and significantly improve the occupants' comfort and sense of well-being.