A number of low-cost airlines are thinking about implementing padded standing seats for short flights called “Skyrider” 2.0 by 2026. With this design, airlines may reduce weight and improve passenger capacity by 20%, which could result in cheaper ticket pricing.
Even if the aviation sector has promised regulatory compliance, worries about passenger comfort and safety during emergencies or turbulence still exist. Standing-only seats, a contentious, cheap airline idea, may soon become a reality. According to a source, several low-cost airlines are considering implementing the new seating configuration as early as 2026 as a different cost-cutting measure.
What is Skyrider 2.0?
According to the reports of Daily Mail, Skyrider 2.0 seats would have padded bike seats that let users recline at an angle without completely sitting down.
According to the source, this kind of seat had passed all safety and regulatory tests, but it is only meant for brief trips of up to two hours.
The horse-saddle-style seating is an enhanced version of a concept that producer Aviointeriors attempted but failed to market in 2010, according to the Daily Mail. Skyrider 2.0 was initially unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2018 in Hamburg.
The New version features firmer mountings and more padding than the previous one. Each row is connected to the ceiling and floor by poles rather than the frame being affixed to a rail. Budget Airlines will focus on passenger growth and profit.
“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,” the Italian maker stated in a statement, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The company also mentioned, “The design of this seat enables [carriers] to increase the passenger number by 29 per cent, allowing for increased profits for airline companies,” as quoted in the report.
According to the Daily Mail, Aviointeriors also noted that Skyrider 2.0 has fewer parts for “minimum maintenance costs” and weighs 50% less than regular economy seats. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has alluded to the possibility that standing tickets might be as little as £1 to £5.
Comfort and Safety continue to be concerns however, the aviation industry has strongly opposed this seating idea for low-cost flights due to worries about comfort and safety in the event of emergencies or turbulence.
As per the report, low-cost airlines have emphasised that the new seating does feature seatbelts, complies with international safety standards, and would only be utilised on certain flights.
