The Italian seat design company behind the Skyrider 2.0 ‘standing seat’ that could one day be a reality for tourists heading abroad has revealed what they’re really like to sit in.
Aviosonteriors produces luxury business class seats for private jets and airlines around the world and has created a physical prototype of the futuristic standing seat design at the company’s headquarters in the city of Latina near Rome.
The unconventional airplane standing seat concept has piqued tourists’ interest ever since it was first published back in 2012, with designers suggesting it could be a way to save airlines and passengers money in the future.
Described as ‘a provocative exercise in design innovation, challenging the limits of what air travel might one day look like’, under current airline safety regulations, standing seat tickets are not something tourists will be able to buy anytime soon.
However, a spokesperson for Aviosonteriors told MailOnline Travel that a physical prototype of the bike-style padded seats – which allow passengers to lean at an angle without completely sitting down – has been manufactured.
The prototype is kept at the company’s headquarters and its employees have tested out the innovative design.
Revealing what it’s like to sit/stand in, the spokesperson was hesitant over how comfortable the seat felt when he tried it out.
The futuristic standing seat design – known as Skyrider 2.0 – was created by Italian plane seat Aviosinteriors as a concept – but a physical prototype has been made and tested for comfort
Verdict: A spokesperson told MailOnline Travel they were comfortable ‘for five minutes’ but admitted it was unclear how they would feel to sit in for ‘two or three hours’
He said: ‘I only sat in it for five minutes, I obviously haven’t travelled in those seats [for a long time].
‘I ride horses, so for me, it felt comfortable. Who knows whether if you sat in it for two hours or three hours how that would feel?’
The spokesperson also said the brand has faced ‘hate comments’ over the design idea, and has been forced to issue a response on social media platforms clarifying that the horse saddle-style seating is purely a concept.
Posting on Instagram, the company, which specialises in designing and making seats for the highest cabin classes on planes, said: ‘Aviointeriors is well aware of today’s market demands, bringing together quality, comfort, and the unmistakable touch of Made in Italy in every product it creates.
‘For now, the Skyrider is not part of the official lineup.’
Judging by the strong reaction of some travellers to the images, if the seats ever do become a reality, the money-saving idea, which could increase passenger capacity by 20 per cent on planes, is likely to be divisive.
One person on social media said the design was akin to ‘slave ship seating’, while another said the concept didn’t ‘treat humans like humans’.
As the concept has evolved, the Skyrider – currently known as 2.0, has seen the seat designs add more padding and firmer mountings, with poles connecting each row to the ceiling and floor, instead of the frame just being fitted to a rail.
The horse-saddle style seats could increase passenger capacity on airlines by 20 per cent – but are unlikely to be introduced anytime soon due to airline safety regulations
The brand published a message on its social media accounts this week clarifying that the standing seats aren’t being made – after receiving ‘hate comments’ about the Skyrider seat design
The seats the Italian brand actually makes; the company sells its luxurious business class designs to airlines and private jet manufacturers around the world
Aviosinteriors said of its designs in a statement in 2018: ‘The Skyrider 2.0 is an innovative seat. It allows an ultra-high density in the aircraft cabin.
‘Skyrider 2.0 opens the travelling experience to a wider passenger market, creating also a useful space for the introduction of mixed classes boarded on the same aircraft.
‘Its main feature is the original bottom that ensures an increased upright passenger positon allowing installation of the seat at a reduced pitch, while maintaining an adequate comfort.
‘The design of this seat enables [carriers] to increase the passenger number by 20 per cent allowing increasing profits for airline companies.’
At the time, the company added that Skyrider 2.0 weighs 50 per cent less than standard economy seats and has a reduced number of components for ‘minimum maintenance costs’.
Its claim is that this seating represents ‘the new frontier of low-cost tickets and passenger experience’.
Although Ryanair denied any plans to use the ‘standing berths’ in the near future to MailOnline this week, CEO Michael O’Leary has been vocal about his desire for them to be installed in his planes.
In 2012, he said he wanted his Boeing’s 737 and 800 fitted with 10 rows of them and 15 rows of traditional seats.
The half-standing seats haven’t impressed prospective passengers on social media
At the time, Michael suggested the standing tickets may potentially cost as little as £1 to £5.
But the half-standing seats haven’t impressed prospective passengers on social media.
One said: ‘This is pathetic. Treat humans like humans. My gosh.’
Another joked: ‘Soon they will strap you to the wing with an oxygen mask.’
A third added: ‘Please never buy these tickets whenever they exist! Don’t help/support this.’
And a fourth blasted: ‘I know “slave ship seating” when I see it. I’ll pass.’
