Sitting comfortably? Real passengers finally get to try out new 'saddle class' seats

FarangRed · 18-09-2010, 08:08 AM

Potential passengers were given the chance to 'saddle up' and try out a plane seat which brings a new meaning to the term cattle class - but it doesn't look as though they enjoyed the ride.

Appearing rather squashed, people were strapped into the 'Skyrider', which could be used by budget airlines to cram more passengers on board, as it was unveiled in America.
Those behind the design, first revealed by the Mail, claim they have not compromised on comfort.
But, with the chair less than a foot from the end of their noses - with seven inches less leg-room than the standard 30 inches - these flyers seemed far from impressed.

Tight fit: A man tries out Italian company Aviointeriors' new aircraft 'standing seat' which has 23 inches of legroom at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Long Beach, California

The concept, designed by Italian aircraft seat design company Aviointeriors, could especially appeal to no-frills carriers who are keen to make flights more profitable.

Earlier this year, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary suggested the Irish airline may soon carry a number of 'vertical seats', although plans seem to have been scuppered by European aviation authorities.
However, at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Long Beach, California, one man in a blue shirt looked as though he was stuck as he tried to squeeze out of a back-row seat.

Not much room: Marion Dinicola from New York looks perplexed as she tries the Skyrider

Sitting comfortably? Marion looks less than impressed with Aviointeriors' new 'standing seat'

When Marion Dinicola, from New York, sat in the Skyrider, the seat in front of her was just inches away from her chest.
While Jenny Carlino, regional manager for Aviointeriors, was all smiles as she tested her company's latest product - but she was sitting comfortably in the front row.
The Skyrider is styled on saddles used by cowboys in the Wild West - the makers claim you can sit on a horse for long periods of time and not feel discomfort.

Standing seating: Airline industry insiders try out the Skyride at its debut in America

Several airlines have already expressed an interest according to Dominique Menoud, director general of Aviointeriors Group: 'We feel extremely confident that this concept will have great appeal to airlines for economic purposes.
'For flights anywhere from one to possibly even up to three hours this would be comfortable seating,' he adds.

'The seat is like a saddle. Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in the saddle.'

A yee-ha moment? Airlines could be attracted to the Skyrider saddle seat because it would enable them to squeeze more passengers into a cabin without compromising strict safety rules dictated by European aviation authorities

Passengers would pay less to sit in an area of the cabin installed with the seats.
In July this year, Ryanair's O'Leary said his airline would offer vertical seats - essentially passengers would perch on a narrow shelf and lean against a flat padded backboard - for as little as £4 each way.

The company's colourful chief executive said he would remove the back ten rows of seats from 250 planes and replace them with 15 rows of so-called ‘vertical seating’.

They would be restrained with a strap stretching over their shoulder, the budget airline said.

But the bizarre initiative ran into an immediate obstacle. European aviation safety regulators said the perches would not

Read more: Public finally gets to try out new 'saddle class' seats (however, some found it a rather tight fit) | Mail Online

**billy the kid** · 20-09-2010, 05:25 PM

blimey ,i thought it couldn't get anymore uncomfortable.
same same business class !!
1st.class!!
sardines have it easier.

**Bettyboo** · 20-09-2010, 05:28 PM

America isn't the place you wanna be launching that service; maybe Romania or Ethiopia; the pics don't look good.

**dirtydog** · 20-09-2010, 05:31 PM

They will have to put a size limit on who is allowed to sit there, wouldn't want to get stuck between those 2 fat gits in the pictures.

**Bettyboo** · 20-09-2010, 05:47 PM

^ you would though.

If you paid for the ticket, and saw those two in the departure lounge, along with 100 skinny folk, you just know you'd be sandwiched between those two muffins...

**BobR** · 20-09-2010, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

They will have to put a size limit on who is allowed to sit there, wouldn't want to get stuck between those 2 fat gits in the pictures.

Southwest Airlines, which is probably the most prosperous, well managed and successful in the US has done that; if you cannot fit into an economy seat you have to buy 2 seats. If the plane is not full, they will give you the 2nd seat free, but if the flight is sold out you have to pay for it. They've already been challenged in court by fat black women and have prevailed legally.

These seats look horrible. This is one case in which nanny state legislation might be appropriate; air travel should be cheap, but not to the point that it is a living hell. Ryanair in Britain is charging for restrooms on short flights, that is going too far in the quest for economy. Southwest at home and Air Asia here seem to be economical yet sill bearable at the same time.

**the dogcatcher** · 20-09-2010, 06:59 PM

If the plane is not full, they will give you the 2nd seat free, but if the flight is sold out you have to pay for it.

That doesn't make sense.
If the flight is full how can you pay for a seat that doesn't exist?

**jandajoy** · 20-09-2010, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

That doesn't make sense. If the flight is full how can you pay for a seat that doesn't exist?

Agreed. No sense at all.

**the dogcatcher** · 20-09-2010, 07:07 PM

Talk about sweaty crotch.
Ok, let's talk about sweaty crotch.
Quality.

**nidhogg** · 20-09-2010, 07:08 PM

A look at those "saddle seats" and it is quite obvious what the next stage is.

Peddles. "Alright you cheap bastards, you wanna get to your destination - start peddling like fuck......"

**Mid** · 20-09-2010, 07:09 PM

makes perfect sense .

300 seats on the plane , 300 tickets sold = no spare seats

300 seats on the plane , 290 tickets sold = spare seats

**the dogcatcher** · 20-09-2010, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

makes perfect sense .

300 seats on the plane , 300 tickets sold = no spare seats

300 seats on the plane , 290 tickets sold = spare seats

Which means the plane is NOT SOLD OUT.

Insurance assessors eh?

**BobR** · 20-09-2010, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

If the plane is not full, they will give you the 2nd seat free, but if the flight is sold out you have to pay for it.

That doesn't make sense.
If the flight is full how can you pay for a seat that doesn't exist?

yes it does; if the flight is not sold out and there are empty seats anyway, they refund your money for the 2nd seat, but if that seat could have been sold (the plane is otherwise full) you have to pay for the 2nd seat. It's interesting reading and worth Googling.

**Rural Surin** · 20-09-2010, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

America isn't the place you wanna be launching that service.....

On the contrary, it's the definitive place for such promotion. And the acceptance might be mindboggling. As that population might be the easiest for manipulation.

**jandajoy** · 20-09-2010, 07:28 PM

I think that the next step will price by weight.

It seems inevitable IMHO.

The crucial factor in air travel is weight.

So logically, passengers would be weighed, along with their luggage, and charged accordingly.

Whilst I don't like the idea cos I'm 100kg, I think it's inevitable.

**the dogcatcher** · 20-09-2010, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

I think that the next step will price by weight.

It seems inevitable IMHO.

The crucial factor in air travel is weight.

So logically, passengers would be weighed, along with their luggage, and charged accordingly.

Whilst I don't like the idea cos I'm 100kg, I think it's inevitable.

This all sounds like a slppery slpoe to increase profits.
BTW JJ 100 KG.
You fat bastard.

**dirtydog** · 20-09-2010, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Whilst I don't like the idea cos I'm 100kg, I think it's inevitable.

There never has been a law that you have to eat everything you see, do what other fatties do, diet and exercise.

**jandajoy** · 20-09-2010, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

This all sounds like a slppery slpoe to increase profits.

Agreed.

BTW JJ 100 KG. You fat bastard.

6-2 and the shoulders of Zeus... no worries....

**the dogcatcher** · 20-09-2010, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by BobR

Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

If the plane is not full, they will give you the 2nd seat free, but if the flight is sold out you have to pay for it.

That doesn't make sense.
If the flight is full how can you pay for a seat that doesn't exist?

yes it does; if the flight is not sold out and there are empty seats anyway, they refund your money for the 2nd seat, but if that seat could have been sold (the plane is otherwise full) you have to pay for the 2nd seat. It's interesting reading and worth Googling.

So 5 people have payed for an extra seat and there is one available.
Who gets there money back?

FarangRed · 20-09-2010, 07:47 PM

That would be rite laugh charging punters by the weight

**the dogcatcher** · 20-09-2010, 08:00 PM

I'm 6 2 with the penis of John Holmes.
Still only 90 kilo.

**harrybarracuda** · 20-09-2010, 08:05 PM

I don't see a problem with these if people are willing to accept the relative lack of comfort for the sake of some extra holiday spending money.

But I wouldn't choose it myself, unless I absolutely needed to be somewhere and it was the only option.

It's just a logical extension of the current LCC model.

**the dogcatcher** · 20-09-2010, 08:19 PM

Just recently I,ve been treated to first.
Still sleep on the floor.

**klong toey** · 20-09-2010, 08:22 PM

I going to splash out the extra £1 and sit in the bog for the entire flight,if they fit seats like that.

**Simon43** · 20-09-2010, 09:32 PM

Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in the saddle

Right, I have to take issue with this statement. In another life I used to slip into my tight jodphurs and ride the nags several times a week, (the equine variety I mean).

That quote above should read:

Those who ride horses on a very regular basis can ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in the saddle

If you do not ride regularly, then your arse (and balls if you possess these), will hurt like fcuk after only a short time in the saddle, even if the nag isn't jumping around like #22 from Rainbow GoGo.

Simon

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