Some airlines in Europe plan to launch cheaper 'standing seats' in 2026
Would you pay much less to travel using a standing seat if this made its way to Mzansi airports?
CapeTalk's Clarence Ford speaks to Primedia's Digital Content Editor Barbara Friedman about trending online stories.
Listen below:
From 2026, a few of Europe's low-cost airlines are planning to launch standing seats, which are expected to come with lower fares than traditional ones.
The carriers are looking to replace parts of their economy seating with these standing seats, according to reports.
The seats, called the Skyrider 2.0, are designed by the Italian company Aviointeriors.
The design resembles a padded bicycle saddle, secured to the floor and ceiling, and includes a seatbelt.
Passengers rest at about a 45-degree angle, using their legs and core muscles to support themselves. Each unit weighs about half as much as a standard seat.
Since each unit takes up less space, reports suggest airlines could accommodate up to 20% more passengers on flights lasting two hours or less.
Standing seats could help save money, increase profitability and reduce turnaround time between flights, say reports.
"It looks like a combination of a bus, airline and motorbike seat... you have a seat, you're standing against the seat, but your bum is sitting on like a slightly convex saddle situation... a little bit like a bicycle seat. You have little arm rests, but you're semi-standing and semi-seated, but you're standing and strapped in."
- Barbara Friedman, Digital Content Editor - Primedia
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