Latest news with #Skyrider2.0
Gulf Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Low cost airlines may launch standing only seats by 2026
In a move that's bound to spark debate among travelers, several budget airlines are reportedly considering the introduction of standing-only seating by 2026. The controversial new seating concept, designed by Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors, aims to boost capacity and cut costs—but it may come at the expense of passenger comfort. The innovative design, known as the Skyrider 2.0, features padded, bicycle-style saddle seats that allow passengers to lean at an angle rather than sit fully. Unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg back in 2018, the Skyrider 2.0 promises to increase aircraft capacity by up to 20%. According to Instagram account @entrepreneurshipquote, which has 2.8 million followers, the bicycle-style seats will allow passengers to lean at an angle without completely sitting down. The account further said it could be introduced as early as 2026. Aviointeriors claims that the new design allows for an "ultra-high-density" cabin configuration, opening air travel to a broader market by offering more affordable ticket options. The seats are said to weigh 50% less than traditional economy seats and feature fewer components, reducing maintenance costs for airlines. A screengrab shows the standing only seats designed by Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors. The concept isn't entirely new. A previous version of the Skyrider was introduced in 2010 but failed to gain traction. The upgraded Skyrider 2.0 features firmer mountings with vertical support poles attached to both the ceiling and the floor, rather than a single rail, and includes extra padding for improved comfort. While no airlines have officially confirmed plans to install the seats, Aviointeriors has hinted that implementation could begin as early as 2026—initially on short-haul flights lasting up to two hours. One of the most vocal proponents of the concept has been Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who previously expressed interest in installing standing-room berths on Boeing 737 aircraft, potentially offering ultra-low-cost tickets priced between £1 and £5. Despite the financial appeal, public reaction on social media has been largely negative. Critics have slammed the concept as inhumane and uncomfortable. 'This is pathetic. Treat humans like humans,' one user commented. Another joked, 'Soon they'll strap you to the wing with an oxygen mask.' Others urged passengers to boycott such seating altogether: 'Please never buy these tickets! Don't support this,' wrote one commenter, while another bluntly added, 'I know slave ship seating when I see it. I'll pass.' Whether the Skyrider 2.0 takes off—or remains grounded—will likely depend on how airlines balance cost savings with customer satisfaction.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
'How much to travel in cargo hold?': Concept of 'standing seats' in planes has the internet at their creative best
You could love being on a flight with your whole routine down pat. Or, you could be someone who wishes they could teleport to wherever they needed to be. Either which way, this potential new update being soft-launched by some budget airlines in Europe definitely seems like the stuff of nightmares. Say hello to 'standing seats'?! Dubbed Skyrider 2.0 with a potential launch date set for 2026, these would be saddle-style perches on which customers would be expected to be 'seated' at a 45-degree angle, secured in with a seat belt (oh, the little mercies). The point? To increase seating capacity by 20 percent whilst also controlling fuel consumption. And why would absolutely anybody want to put themselves through this ordeal? Well, firstly this 'provision', if we can call it that, is only for flights spanning 2 hours or less. Secondly, the fares could possibly be as low as €1 and € that softens the blow? The comment sections on this update are an absolute riot, with the internet churning out their creative best steeped in sarcasm: "How about sedating people and packing them efficiently like cargo?", "I didn't book a flight I booked a public humiliation", "Next time what ? they will add electric bicycle and the passengers will generate the airplane power hahahaha", "They don't do landing. They just give you parachute", "How much to travel in cargo hold? 🤔", "Hey why don't we just have empty planes and we bring our own chairs. 😆" and "You could fill it with hammocks and fit a bunch more people all stacked on top of each other" to quote a few. Among the more sensible takes however, this one rings the truest: "How about we focus on keeping the planes in the air and the air traffic control towers working before trying to price gouge passengers further…" as asserted by a concerned anon. Would you consider hopping on a 'standing seat' for a lower price?
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Flying Standing Up? Europe's Budget Airlines Are Planning This From 2026
Imagine buying a plane ticket for around Rs 500, or maybe even less. Sounds too good to be true? Air travel remains one of the most expensive ways to travel, but a new seating model could help airlines cut costs and offer cheaper tickets. The catch? You will have to fly standing. Yes, starting in 2026, some of Europe's low-cost carriers are looking to replace parts of their economy seating with standing seats, according to Euro Weekly News. How Do Standing Seats Work On A Flight? These 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. Aviointeriors says the Skyrider seats comply with aviation regulations and have passed all safety tests. So, passengers need not worry about emergencies or in-flight risks. How Airlines Can Benefit From Standing Seats Since each unit takes up less space, reports suggest airlines could accommodate up to 20 per cent more passengers on flights lasting two hours or less. This could help increase profitability. The lighter seats and simpler design may also mean less cleaning and quicker maintenance. This can allow airlines to reduce turnaround time between flights. Cheaper Ticket Costs For Flyers Standing seats are expected to come with lower fares than traditional ones. While exact prices are unknown, in 2012, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary proposed fitting his Boeing 737-800s with 10 rows of standing seats and 15 rows of regular ones. At the time, he suggested standing tickets could cost as little as 1-5 pounds (Rs 115-575). Reports now say other airlines, from Spain to Eastern Europe, are also exploring the idea.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Designer behind 'standing seats' on planes reveals how comfortable they really are - but admits the 'concept' is unlikely to take off anytime soon
The Italian seat design company behind the Skyrider 2.0 'standing seat' that could one day be a reality for tourists heading abroad has revealed what they're really like to sit in. Aviosonteriors produces luxury business class seats for private jets and airlines around the world and has created a physical prototype of the futuristic standing seat design at the company's headquarters in the city of Latina near Rome. The unconventional airplane standing seat concept has piqued tourists' interest ever since it was first published back in 2012, with designers suggesting it could be a way to save airlines and passengers money in the future. Described as 'a provocative exercise in design innovation, challenging the limits of what air travel might one day look like', under current airline safety regulations, standing seat tickets are not something tourists will be able to buy anytime soon. However, a spokesperson for Aviosonteriors told MailOnline Travel that a physical prototype of the bike-style padded seats – which allow passengers to lean at an angle without completely sitting down - has been manufactured. The prototype is kept at the company's headquarters and its employees have tested out the innovative design. Revealing what it's like to sit/stand in, the spokesperson was hesitant over how comfortable the seat felt when he tried it out. The futuristic standing seat design - known as Skyrider 2.0 - was created by Italian plane seat Aviosinteriors as a concept - but a physical prototype has been made and tested for comfort, A spokesperson told MailOnline Travel they were comfortable 'for five minutes' but admitted it was unclear how they would feel to sit in for two hours He said: 'I only sat in it for five minutes, I obviously haven't travelled in those seats [for a long time]. 'I ride horses, so for me, it felt comfortable. Who knows whether if you sat in it for two hours or three hours how that would feel?' The spokesperson also said the brand has faced 'hate comments' over the design idea, and has been forced to issue a response on social media platforms clarifying that the horse saddle-style seating is purely a concept. Posting on Instagram, the company, which specialises in designing and making seats for the highest cabin classes on planes, said: 'Aviointeriors is well aware of today's market demands, bringing together quality, comfort, and the unmistakable touch of Made in Italy in every product it creates. 'For now, the Skyrider is not part of the official lineup.' Judging by the reaction of travellers, if the seats ever do become a reality, the money-saving idea, which could increase passenger capacity by 20 per cent on planes, is likely to be divisive. One person on social media said the design was akin to 'slave ship seating, while another said the idea didn't 'treat humans like humans'. As the concept has evolved, the Skyrider - currently known as 2.0, has seen the seat designs add more padding and firmer mountings, with poles connecting each row to the ceiling and floor, instead of the frame just being fitted to a rail. Aviosinteriors said of its designs in a statement in 2018: 'The Skyrider 2.0 is an innovative seat. It allows an ultra-high density in the aircraft cabin. The brand published a message on its social media accounts this week clarifying that the standing seats aren't being made - after receiving 'hate comments' about the Skyrider seat design Skyrider 2.0 opens the travelling experience to a wider passenger market, creating also a useful space for the introduction of mixed classes boarded on the same aircraft. 'Its main feature is the original bottom that ensures an increased upright passenger positon allowing installation of the seat at a reduced pitch, while maintaining an adequate comfort. 'The design of this seat enables [carriers] to increase the passenger number by 20 per cent allowing increasing profits for airline companies.' At the time, the company added that Skyrider 2.0 weighs 50 per cent less than standard economy seats and has a reduced number of components for 'minimum maintenance costs'. Its claim is that this seating represents 'the new frontier of low-cost tickets and passenger experience'. Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has been vocal about his desire to use the 'standing berths'. In 2012, he said he wanted his Boeing's 737 and 800 fitted with 10 rows of them and 15 rows of traditional seats. At the time, Michael suggested the standing tickets may potentially cost as little as £1 to £5. But the half-standing seats haven't impressed prospective passengers on social media. The half-standing seats haven't impressed prospective passengers on social media One said: 'This is pathetic. Treat humans like humans. My gosh.' Another joked: 'Soon they will strap you to the wing with an oxygen mask.' A third added: 'Please never buy these tickets whenever they exist! Don't help/support this.'
Hype Malaysia
23-05-2025
- Hype Malaysia
(Video) Stand For Cheaper Tickets? Budget Airlines Reportedly Introducing Standing Seats In 2026
Ever booked a domestic flight and were shocked to see a one-way flight cost up to RM800? Yup, been there. We bet you'd rather stand for a 45-minute flight for a quarter of the price rather than pay the hefty sum, right? Your wish could become a reality, as budget airlines around Europe and the UK have been eyeing the concept of swapping some economy seats for standing seats. A concept known as the Skyrider 2.0 was introduced by aviation interior company Aviointeriors in 2018. Here's the full laydown of its mechanism: The Skyrider 2.0's mechanism is not too hard to comprehend. Basically, passengers will be supported with a backrest and a padded 'seat' while standing at a 45-degree angle for the entire flight. Yes, safety belts are included in the standing seat for extra added security should turbulence occur mid-flight. Reported by Euro Weekly News, the implementation of the Skyrider 2.0 by airlines could see a launch as early as 2026, as they weigh on cramming up to 20% more passengers into the cabin for flights less than 2 hours. In the list of budget airlines that are eyeing the concept are European airlines company Ryanair, which had proposed to implement a 10-row standing seat plan in 2012. Reaction from netizens was mixed as they argued the space limitations for passengers. Instagram user @/guwop_santana comments, 'Packed up in there like sardines. A handful of netizens agree with the implementation, stating that it might cut down costs as well as provide health benefits. Would you stand for an entire 1-hour flight for half the price? Watch the full seat explanation here: Sources: Euro News Weekly, Instagram
