Airline proposes traveling standing up to reduce costs: this is how this prototype works

In recent years, airlines have been constantly seeking to reduce operating costs in order to offer more affordable fares to travelers. This trend has intensified even more after the pandemic, when the airline sector had to adapt to new economic demands, which is why the proposal of this Italian airline was so controversial.

In the midst of this transformation, a radical proposal could change the experience of flying: upright seats that allow passengers to travel standing. Although it sounds like a futuristic idea, there is a specific company that is exploring the viability of this design for short-haul flights. The CNN medium collected the information from the Aircraft Interiors exhibition in which this innovative prototype was presented.

(You can read: NASA started the engine of the experimental supersonic plane X-59)

Why upright seats?

The Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors developed a prototype called SkyRider 3.0, which promises to revolutionize the concept of seats on commercial airplanes. This innovative design is inspired by the posture of cyclists, with a seat that imitates an upright position and a backrest that allows passengers to stand during the flight, but with a slight inclination for greater comfort.

The main attraction of this system is that it could allow airlines to increase aircraft capacity by 20%, which would mean more passengers per flight and, in theory, lower prices for consumers. This design seeks to optimize space, eliminating the 20 centimeters of space currently required between each row of seats in economy class.

By reducing this distance, airlines could maximize the number of people on board, which is especially attractive to low-cost airlines looking to generate more revenue without increasing fares.

CNN

This design seeks to optimize space, eliminating the 20 centimeters of space currently required between each row of seats in economy class. By reducing this distance, airlines could maximize the number of people on board, which is especially attractive to low-cost airlines looking to generate more revenue without increasing fares.

The design was controversial at the exhibition

While the concept of upright seating has the potential to lower ticket costs, the idea was not well received by everyone at the aforementioned event. Many people questioned whether it would really be comfortable to travel standing up, even if the design promises “adequate comfort.”

Aviation and safety experts also raised concerns about the viability of such seats in emergency situations. Rapid evacuation in the event of an incident could be severely compromised due to limited space to move around in the cabin, which raises questions about the safety of passengers.

Additionally, passengers in these seats would not have the same level of comfort as those in traditional seats, such as the ability to store personal belongings under the seat, a crucial space for many travelers. This could be a major inconvenience for passengers traveling with carry-on luggage or who need more space to relax during the flight.

CNN

The project has been abandoned on other occasions

The idea of ​​standing seats is not new. Since the early 2000s, major aviation companies such as Airbus and Ryanair have explored the possibility of introducing denser seating configurations, But so far, no manufacturer has managed to bring this idea to the mass market. In 2010, Ryanair even announced that it was considering this option, but then abandoned the project. However, with increasing competition in the low-cost flying sector, the need to find economical solutions remains a priority.

The SkyRider 3.0 model is not Aviointeriors’ first attempt to make cheaper flights a reality. The company had already introduced previous versions of this type of seating, but none of them managed to achieve widespread acceptance in the industry.

CNN

It’s still a prototype

Currently, the SkyRider 3.0 remains just a prototype. Airlines have not yet committed to adopting this design, and some experts warn that technical challenges and safety concerns could make it difficult to implement. Furthermore, passenger comfort could be a crucial factor determining whether these types of seats are actually adopted in the future. For now, standing airplane travel seems closer to science fiction than reality.