Passengers heading for flights on budget airlines can soon face a strange new type of journey after being told they have passed the required safety tests. The unusual upright padded seating that allows passengers to lean but not sit is first revealed in 2018 by Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors and has been in work for several years.
These standing sheets, known as Sykrider, are used for flights that take less than two hours. Express is currently talking to several aviation and travel experts who share their thoughts on this strange new design.
According to an Aviointeriors spokesperson, the main feature of the seat is “the original bottom that ensures that the position of upright passengers increases, allowing for installation at reduced pitch while reducing pitch while maintaining proper comfort.”
“This seat design allows carriers to increase passenger numbers by 20% and increase airline profits.”
However, one expert highlighted major concerns about how these standing seats will work in aircraft safety measures.
Dr. Akhil Bardwaj, a former engineer and senior lecturer at the Faculty of Business Administration at Bath University, aviation safety researcher, told Express: problem.
“The idea of a flying bus packing passengers may seem appealing, but it may undermine awareness of how the industry thinks about safety. At the very least, such a move requires very strict surveillance and very clear explanations of why this is safe.”
Meanwhile, traveler backpacker LP Maurice was the CEO who launched Busbud, which helped travelers easily compare and book public transport around the world, claiming the idea of standing-only seating would be good for airlines.
“We squeeze profits per square foot and open the doors with ultra-low fares, and from a business angle, I get it.
“But as someone who works to make long distance travel better as well as cheaper, I see obvious drawbacks. You trade almost all your comfort and dignity for some saved dollars on short routes.
“We should have access to travel, but we're not making any sacrifices to make people feel like cargo.”
Travel experts added that there could be a huge market for products. He said: “If your flight is less than two hours and you want to get there, some travelers will definitely ask for a ticket of 5 euros. And if the safety check passes, it's a more value argument than the regulated ones.
“But most people still expect a seat when buying a plane ticket. You can sell it all, but you can't tip your way to comfort. This model may find a niche, but it won't immediately replace traditional seats.”
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has been supporting the “standing berth” since 2012, suggesting that fares could be as low as £1. However, the airline has not yet confirmed that it will introduce seating.
A spokesman for Aviointeriors said of the 2018 design:
“Skyrider 2.0 opens the travel experience to a wider passenger market and creates useful space for introducing mixed classes on the same aircraft.” However, not everyone appears to be riding this new design.
