'This is pitiful. Handle people with dignity.'
This is merely one of the numerous remarks within Instagram a post stating that soon low-cost airlines will introduce stand-up only airplane seating.
The outrage is justified. Given the stringent luggage rules , cramped seating, and concealed charges, flying The budget is already quite like an endurance test.
And with these newly designed saddle-shaped seats, economy travel might become even more unpleasant.
Reports indicate that the seats have now fulfilled all regulatory standards and successfully cleared safety checks. But will we actually be seeing these seats during our upcoming flights?
This is all that we have learned up until now.
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What does a standing-only airplane seat entail?
Created by the Italian firm Aviointeriors, these standing seats resemble a horse saddle or a rollercoaster ride.
Attached to the floor and ceiling via a pole, these seats offer a seat pitch—measured as the distance from one seat to the next in front—not exceeding 23 inches. For comparison, Ryanair ’s average seat pitch is 30 inches.
Taking up less space, Aviointeriors claim you can fit up to 20% more passengers on short-haul flights lasting two hours or less.
Many have shared their disgust at the seats. ‘These corporations don’t care about you!’ wrote one angry commenter, while another said they should be ‘outlawed’.
But the seats aren’t anything new. They were first unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo back in 2010, with an improved model shown at the same Expo in 2018.
Fast forward to 2025, and it’s being claimed that the Skyrider 2.0 has been approved for travel.
Will we see standing-only seats on budget-airlines in the UK?
In 2012, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary sparked backlash when he said he’d consider using the seats. He suggested fitting planes with 10 rows of standing-seats, which would cost as little as £1.
However, by 2025, a Ryanair representative stated Axofa that passengers don’t need to worry. When asked if the Irish carrier was set to launch standing-only seats they responded: ‘Ryanair has no plans to do so.’
Wizz Air likewise reacted to Axofa We can verify that Wizz Air does not have any intentions to implement standing-only seating.
Meanwhile, easyJet refused to comment about the implementation of standing-only seats; however, present announcements do not indicate that these will be introduced on their aircraft anytime shortly.
Axofaalso reached out to Jet2 , who are yet to respond.
What changes have we seen in economy plane cabins?
Maybe the most significant alteration we've noticed hasn't been about seating arrangements, but more so concerning the overhead storage compartments.
With numerous airlines imposing fees for checked luggage, many travellers choose to hand luggage , which is either free or less expensive. However, this frequently results in a frantic scramble to get onboard, with passengers competing for space to stow their luggage.
Fortunately, Airbus, the top producer of commercial aircraft in the UK and Europe , had a solution.
In 2024, they announced plans to modify some of their aircraft to incorporate the updated Airspace L bins.
The newly designed bins are over half again as large as those in the old A320 models, providing 60% additional storage capacity and accommodating up to three extra bags each. The key point is that luggage is placed upright rather than flat.
In January 2025, Lufthansa became the initial carrier to be equipped with 38 of these bins. Additionally, other European airlines such as Iberia and Swiss announced their plans to adopt the new storage compartments.
Have you got a tale to tell?
Reach out via email AxofaLifestyleTeam@Axofa.co.uk .
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