Public modes of transport in India are always overcrowded. It is a common sight to see people standing in buses and even the metro because the seats are all occupied. But what if that started happening in aeroplanes too? If you think the idea is far-fetched, let us introduce you to the “Skyrider.”
An Italian company named Aviointeriors designed the Skyrider and showcased a prototype at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2019. Essentially, they are vertical standing seats for budget airline passengers.
What fresh hell is this for budget airline passengers? #PAS19 #avgeek pic.twitter.com/0OOHowC0BI
— Tim Robinson (@RAeSTimR) June 19, 2019
At 23 inches, they save space for the airline and cut costs for fliers. Gaetano Perugini, the engineering adviser told CNN Travel,
“The message is, we do not want to put thousands of people in the cabin, we want to offer a multi-class configuration, which is nowadays impossible if you want to reach the maximum load of passengers. So that means that in the same cabin, you will have standard economy, premium economy or business class and ultra-basic economy — which is an innovation for the airline and the passenger. This is the true reason for the Skyrider.”
BUT, netizens pointed out that they’d be extremely uncomfortable and such a one-size-fits-all design will not work for people with varying heights and weights.
Could economy-class air-travel become any more miserable than it is now? Oh yes it can. Contemplate the standing, bicycle-seat "berth," invented by the sadists at Aviointeriors https://t.co/n9gPiGt8VP pic.twitter.com/H0FGbY3gyV
— Glenn Zorpette (@Electric_Genie) April 29, 2019
Here are some of the reactions to the Skyrider and clearly Twitter is NOT impressed with the innovation. Take a look.
These exhibitors should be banned, and then investigated.
— Gareth Jennings (@GarethJennings3) June 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/a_vaishampayan/status/1141402371148451840
My first thought as well. Also… pic.twitter.com/XH9mhL64gP
— Gary Bleck 🧷 (@GaryBleck) June 19, 2019
Maybe if everybody pedaled it would cut down on the fuel as well!
— Sean Minister (@SeanMinister) June 19, 2019
There is a special place in hell for those who think human beings are a commodity.
— Chris Wood (@flyingdisabled) June 19, 2019
I have a better option.. Remove all seats n palletise passenger along with luggage and stack them.. That way a lot more passengers can be carried
— Ajit Manohar Pal (@AjitManoharPal) June 19, 2019
Air travel is all about comfort and luxury and if these seats become a norm that idea will cease to exist. What do you think about the “saddle seats”?