Ryanair offers denial on allegations about upcoming 'affordable standing cabins'
A circulating series of viral posts has wrongly suggested that budget airlines, including Ryanair, will soon adopt 'standing' saddle seats. However, Ryanair has dismissed these claims, asserting they have no plans to introduce such seating arrangements.
In an era where low-cost travel has skyrocketed, budget carriers like Ryanair, renowned for offering flights as low as €7.99, have garnered significant attention. But recent speculation surrounding standing seats has piqued public interest.
These proposed seats resemble bicycle saddles mounted vertically, enabling passengers to lean rather than sit fully. They feature a padded, narrow seat, along with a backrest for passenger support during flight. Detailed mock-ups have also included harness-style seat belts and vertical poles connecting each row to the aircraft ceiling for added stability.
The idea is that this compact arrangement would allow airlines to accommodate more passengers on short-haul flights, saving costs and potentially offering even cheaper fares. It was initially alleged that Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors was set to furnish these seats to Ryanair, with flights offering standing seats starting in 2026.
However, Aviointeriors has confirmed to our website that they have no plans to provide the seats to Ryanair, stating that the Skyrider prototype, often featured in these claims, dates back to 2012 and is not part of their official product lineup.
Configuring aircraft cabins to accommodate standing seats can be traced back to previous comments made by Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, who has suggested unconventional cost-saving ideas in the past. In 2010, he discussed the possibility of "standing seats" to maximize aircraft space. He also proposed pay-per-use onboard toilets in 2009 and a "fat tax" in 2009, imposing extra charges on overweight passengers.
Yet, these ideas were presented as humorous or attention-grabbing tactics rather than formal plans.
While the concept of standing seats could theoretically work on very short-haul flights due to preliminary safety tests, concerns regarding passenger comfort still persist. The semi-standing posture the saddle-style seats require may result in discomfort, fatigue, and circulation issues for passengers. Furthermore, widescale public adoption could face significant backlash, limiting an airline's commercial viability.
Ryanair, for one, has no immediate plans to introduce such seating arrangements. Other budget airlines, however, may still be considering the idea for future flights, particularly the Skyrider 2.0 design by Avio Interiors.
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- Categories: Travel, Airlines
Despite the buzz surrounding standing seats as a potential cost-saving measure for budget airlines, Ryanair, known for its low-cost travel options, has no plans to implement such seating arrangements. On the other hand, the Skyrider 2.0 design by Avio Interiors remains a possibility for some budget airlines, raising questions about the future of travel lifestyle.
