Posted on 05/21/2025 1:24:04 PM PDT by nickcarraway
If you’ve ever grumbled about sky-high air fares, get ready for a whole new level of frugality—plus a bit of leg work.
Imagine balancing on a padded bicycle saddle, only this one is strapped to the cabin floor and ceiling, and you’re cruising at 35,000 feet. That’s pretty much the gist of Skyrider 2.0, dreamed up by Italian outfit Aviointeriors back in 2018. Here’s the lowdown:
Low-Cost Airlines to launch standing-only seats in 2026
Goodbye bank transfers?
Lean, not lounge: You’ll rest at about a 45° angle, weight on your legs and core muscles—think of it as a mini workout. Feather-light build: Each perch is roughly half the weight of a regular seat, cutting down on fuel burn. Belted in: Yes, there’s a seatbelt—no free-falling mid-turbulence. By shaving off bulk and tightening up the space between rows, airlines reckon they can cram in up to 20% more passengers on hops lasting two hours or less.
Why Low-cost airlines are embracing skyrider 2.0 standing seats
Budget carriers love nothing more than squeezing pennies—and seats—wherever they can. Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary has been banging on about standing “berths” since 2012. His idea? Ten rows of Skyrider seats up front, then a handful of standard stools behind.
What’s in it for them?
Ultra-low fares: Rumours suggest you could grab a one-way ticket for as little as €1–€5.
Bigger cabins: More bodies per flight mean fatter profit margins.
Quicker turnarounds: Lighter seats, fewer parts, less cleaning—so planes spend more time in the air.
Other airlines from Spain to Eastern Europe are eyeing the concept, too. If you’ve got a tight schedule and a tighter budget, a standing ticket might just be the ticket.
Will passengers actually board?
Time for the million-euro question: would you? Online chatter is a proper mix. Some think it’s ingenious, others reckon it’s a step too far:
“I love a deal, but I’ll pass on leg day at 40,000 feet.”
“£3 to Paris ( €3.45) ? Tempting… if only I could recline.”
Pros and cons, laid bare:
Pros: Cheapest flights in yonks; perfect for a quick city hop; bragging rights (“I stood on a plane!”). Cons: No lying back; limited snoozing; might feel like cattle herding if you’re tall. Aviointeriors insists Skyrider seats passed every safety test—with rapid-exit drills and all—so don’t panic about emergencies. And if you really crave a full-blown seat, standard tickets will still be on sale (at a slightly higher price, naturally).
Skyrider 2.0 standing seats: Passing fad or future of low cost Air travel? Let’s be honest: you’re unlikely to see this on a red-eye to New York anytime soon. But for quick runs—say, Madrid to Lisbon or Manchester to Edinburgh—these lean-in perches could carve out a niche. Airlines get to splash headlines with ‘€1 flights!’, and penny-pinchers get their fix of adventure (and leg-burn).
So when you’re booking that next Euro-city break in 2026, watch for the ‘Lean Option’ tick box. If you’re up for a bit of novelty—and don’t mind standing—you could snag a jaw-dropping fare. And if it turns out to be more “ouch” than “wow”, you’ll know to stick with the trusty economy seat next time (for a few quid extra, of course).
If the price was right and I was allowed to move around the cabin I might do it for short flights. As far as crashes are concerned I don’t see myself having much of a chance even if I was sitting so that might not be an issue for me.
What could go wrong?
Life aboard ship in the Age of Sail was dodgy at its best. The stench aboard a slave ship must have been ungodly.
Yup—I used to have to fly a lot on business. It kept getting worse and worse over the years.
When I retired I vowed never to get on an airplane again—I have stuck to that promise to myself.
If somebody wants to visit with me they know where to find me. They can get on a plane.
Lol.
This works until a 350 pound “person” (you know who I mean) sues them for a bigger bicycle seat....
I am afraid. What is the distance between “this is available “ to “this is required”?
For example, pumping gas yourself used to be an option. Now, I have not seen a full service “service” station in years.
I’m closer to 7 feet tall than 6. This might be more comfortable
Jet fuel is basically kerosene. I’d be alarmed if I smelled it on a flight.
Beat me to it. Airlines will now have seven decks, each two feet tall.
That was JP-8 or Jet A, not kerosine. Or maybe F24 if you are young.
Or maybe Jet B, depending on how far north you were and how cold it was.
They all smell the same — kerosine
All military planes smell like that.
I had a flight transfer bus in Bahrain where I sat next to a cage of chickens.
China announced they would be doing that several years ago. I have not heard anything about it since.
and lose that bag you stuff under the seat.
Imagine 300 spirit Airlines customers strapped into a 737..
WOW!
Look at all that leg room! It would be great not to get whacked in the knees when the guy in front of me reclines his/her seat.
I believe I would have lost my mind.
That said I’d lean for a one or two hour flight, no biggie. Let the market decide.
A 3 hour return flight from Chicago to Miami costs the same as 4 day cruise. There is no food in the flight, you seat shoulder to shoulder breathing in common air, and no live entertainment or bars.
Cruise ship has all you can eat buffet with 50+ items to choose from, live stage entertainment daily, live music and huge areas to walk or jog.
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