Ryanair's chief executive Michael O'Leary is scheduled to announce a formal proposal today for "vertical seats", which will provide standing-room spots on short-haul flights for as little as £5. These seats have been in the works for years, but now we have pictures.
photo courtesy: Ryanair
The plan is to rip out the last ten rows of seats to install the standing area. A test has been proposed on select flights in about a year, with full implementation in 18 months.
Don't get your hopes up, though. It is unlikely the European Aviation Safety Agency will approve the proposed seats. But where there is a will, there is way. With a little tinkering, I have a feeling Ryanair will get its standing seats.
While I think Ryanair represents a troubling trend in some areas (á la carté pricing for services/amenities that have always been included in the ticket prices), I would not be opposed to utilizing the seats above on a LAX-SFO flight if I was only paying $10 for the ticket.
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It's honestly the dumbest idea I have seen.. And what about taller passengers like myself? There is no way I would be able to fit in that contraption..
@Nathaniel: I'm 6'1" and can see your point. Perhaps the seats will be adjustable? I think the picture may be deceiving too, because with the armrest out, it doesn't look like Ryanair is gaining much legroom.
I agree that EASA would probably not approve these seats. There has been evidence that survivability of air crashes in the last 20 years have gone up because of better seat standards.
The seats today are rather light compared with ones from years back. I don't see how the horse collar contraption will be as light as a seat.
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