Italian firm unveils stand-up airline seat

Italian aircraft seat manufacturer Aviointeriors has created a new ‘stand-up seat, heralding the possibility of a new “basic class” for flyers.

Italian aircraft seat designer Aviointeriors has created a new ‘stand-up seat, heralding the possibility of a new “basic class” for flyers.

Famously Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has suggested that his aircraft could soon offer standing room for ultra-budget passengers, with the ‘seats’ selling for as little as £5.

A standing seat configuration is considered by aviation insiders to have no chance of being approved by UK air safety regulator the CAA.

Nevertheless, Aviointeriors has pressed ahead with designs for its high density  ‘stand up seat’ known as SkyRider offering a 23-inch pitch.

“The SkyRider is intended as a new basic class. The passenger’s seating position is similar to that of a touring motor-scooter rider,” the company said.

“This posture permits that the overall longitudinal space occupied by the seat with the seated passenger is far less than that of a conventional, very high density 28-inch economy class seat.”

The SkyRider has been designed and engineered to offer airlines the chance to further cut ticket prices by introducing an super-high density seating.

“With a much reduced seat pitch, the SkyRider preserves a comfortable position for the low fare passengers,” Avioninteriors claimed.

“Furthermore, in the SkyRider arrangement, a partial overlapping of the passengers seating between rows is allowed, thus further increasing the cabin density.”

The company said it was responding to demand from airlines to reduce ticket prices while still maintaining “sound profitability” which, even with a dual or three class seating arrangement, will allow maximum certified passenger capacity of the aircraft.

The design allows for space beneath the seat for a carry on bag.

The company’s research and development director Gaetano Perugini said SkyRider passengers would “assume a dynamic upright position, which is no only comfortable but also very healthy”.