Budget airlines have finally hit rock bottom – cheap standing seats on flights would be a disaster

The Sun

22-05-2025

IT'S time to take a stand against budget airlines - although we might soon not have a choice.
Terrifying travel news this week, that a handful of unnamed airlines are considering introducing standing-only seats on planes.
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Despite looking better suited to a death-defying rollercoaster than a two-hour plane journey, it's been suggested that they could become be the norm for cheap flights, with it becoming a 'privilege' to get a proper seat.
The uncomfortable-looking designs by Aviointeriors have a slanted, saddle-like base that allows the passengers to still be strapped in, while standing upright.
it's the third version of the design, which was first revealed by Aviointeriors as far back as 2010 and has since gone through a number of 'improvements.'
They claim to take up much less space than a standard economy seat, with just just 23 inches compared to 31 inches.
That'll be music to low-cost airlines ears, who presumably are envisioning more crammed passengers to squeeze cash from - after repeatedly shrinking legroom, chair width and luggage allowances over the last 20 years.
I love to walk around a cabin to stretch my legs, but I hardly want to be standing the whole time.
Standing might even be preferable over this bizarre, half leaning situation.
It reminds me of that awkward perch against a pub garden fence when you run out of seats - something never comfortable but acceptable after a few pints.
Maybe these are the seats for those passengers enjoying some Wetherspoon beers before a flight, who will barely notice whether they are upright when boarding.
I am all for a cheap flight - notoriously never checking in a suitcase to avoid any extra fees - but there are some things that I think are a necessity on a flight.
Plane seats of the future – with no tray tables, TV screens or seat pockets and full screen dividers between each row
And one of them? Being allowed to sit down.
The rollercoaster like seat certainly would be just as uncomfortable during turbulence as a rollercoaster seat is when being spun and flung around corners.
And I don't expect them to be a 'cheaper' option despite Ryanair's Michael O'Leary previously touting the idea of £1 standing seats in 2012.
After all, Ryanair and easyJet's cheapest fares are now around £15 - but this comes without any luggage, unlike good old days when it had a free suitcase.
Low-cost airlines ditched these back in 2018 - but this has hardly been passed onto the consumer in the way of price, seeing as flights back then could be found for £4.99.
So with free luggage gone, and it appears cheap sit-down seats to be next, who knows what' else could gone. else is around the corner.
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It was Ryanair who once suggested they would charge passengers to use the bathroom.
Perhaps we'll have to pay to have a back to our seats, after a bizarre back-less easyJet seat went viral back in 2019.
Thankfully we seem to be a way off from them being rolled out.
Aviointeriors confirmed that while there has been "interest" in the seat, no airlines have actually bought them.
Don't expect to see them on long-haul flights either, as it's suggested it will only be on flights less than two hours.
But who knows, it's one step closer to removing seats all together, making the term "cattle class" that bit more apt.
The only upside? Don't expect someone wanting to take the seat next to you if it's empty.
Hey, it could be the latest plane hack to getting a row to yourself.