A controversial budget air travel plan might soon become a reality: standing-only seats. A few low-cost airlines are said to be planning on introducing the new seating arrangement as soon as 2026, as an alternative way of cutting costs, as per a report.

What Is Skyrider 2.0?

The seats named "Skyrider 2.0" will be bike-style padded seats, which allow passengers to lean at an angle without fully sitting down, as per Daily Mail. This type of seat has met all safety and passed all regulatory tests, but is intended for short flights of up to two hours, according to the report.

A New Take on an Old Concept

Daily Mail reported that Skyrider 2.0 was first unveiled by manufacturer Aviointeriors at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2018 in Hamburg, but the horse-saddle-style seating is an improved version of a concept it tried but had failed to launch in 2010.

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The new version has more padding than the earlier version and firmer mountings, with poles connecting each row to the ceiling and floor, instead of the frame just being fitted to a rail, as per the report.

Budget Airlines Will Eye Profit and Passenger Boost

The Italian manufacturer said in a statement, "Its main feature is the original bottom that ensures an increased upright passenger position allowing installation of the seat at a reduced pitch, while maintaining an adequate comfort," quoted Daily Mail.

The company also mentioned, "The design of this seat enables [carriers] to increase the passenger number by 20 per cent allowing increasing profits for airline companies," as quoted in the report.

Aviointeriors also pointed out that Skyrider 2.0 weighs 50% lower compared to standard economy seats and has less number of components for "minimum maintenance costs," reported Daily Mail.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has hinted that the standing tickets could potentially cost as low as £1 to £5, as per the report.

Concerns Remain Over Comfort and Safety

However, this seating concept for budget air travel has faced a lot of pushback from the aviation industry, over concerns about comfort and safety during turbulence or emergencies, according to Daily Mail.

While, the budget carriers have highlighted that the new seating, does have seatbelts, follows the global safety regulations and would be used only for specific flights, as per the report.

FAQs

Are passengers going to stand the entire flight?
Not exactly. Passengers will lean on a padded saddle-style seat rather than fully stand or sit.

How long will these flights last?
Skyrider 2.0 will only be used for flights up to two hours.