A few weeks ago there was a lot of buzz about a photo that showed a new form of seating being tested for airlines (see below). It’s called the Sky Rider, and is a “saddle” rather than a seat. It allows airlines to reduce legroom by seven inches, and could potentially double the number of people that could fly on one flight. It is being suggested for short-haul flights around the world.
The initial, and expected reaction, was one of horror and “No, this can’t be right”. Why is this almost always some people’s instinct response to something new and different?
I can see many benefits to using the Sky Rider seats. Here are just a few:
- Standing is actually better for you than sitting – more air to the lungs, less likelihood of DVT, better circulation, and so on.
- Standing for a few hours is not unusual – many people do it all day for their jobs or at concerts and sport events. And they do so without access to a rest for their buttocks which this saddle provides.
- More people on a plane means less planes need to fly, which means we can reduce carbon emissions, reduce airfares and reduce airport congestion.
- It will reduce the price of airline tickets.
- It’ll be easier to get out and go to the loo…
Don’t just say “No” next time you see an innovation. Stop and think about it a bit:
The future of air travel? Quite possibly. And a potentially good thing too.
Graeme … I’m open minded. I’m all for saving the planet and improving air travel.
I don’t want to presume anything here about your personal life … but do you have children?
Have you actually traveled with a baby (or worse … a 2 year old!)
You’re right – my reaction to this proposed idea was “not on your life buddy”. But not just because I’m adverse to change. But because I have suffered the pain of flying with a baby … and a toddler … and let me assure you … the saddle thingy just ain’t cutting the mustard.
Sorry.
(PS. I did a bit of research on this and went to the website of the company who are proposing the Sky Rider … http://www.aviointeriors.it/# … I was wondering how they proposed this would work for children … I didn’t want to be completely misinformed in case they had some brilliant idea. But I couldn’t find any details … )
Sim,
I have three daughters, all young, and they are seasoned travellers. I agree completely that these seats would not work for kids. But people flying with kids are a small percentage of the travellers, so maybe there’d be a separate cabin for them altogether with regular seats?
What do you think about it just for yourself? Or for adults?
Gosh Graeme … you are seriously outnumbered there! (And my hubby thought he had problems with just one daughter!) 🙂
You’re right … I don’t have any issue with using the seat myself – well, I’d at least be of the mind to give it a try before ruling it out as an option.
I think it’s an entirely normal reaction for people to look at the seat and feel sceptical though. Flying side saddle through the skies just isn’t something you envisage.
So why don’t these companies factor that in when they flog these ideas to the public? If they’re serious about it … why not rope in some frequent fliers and ask them to sit on the seat and give an opinion? Or why not stick some tall and short people in the chairs. At least that would feel more gennuine … more real.
It doesn’t help when you see a picture of a “model” on the chair grinning away as if she’s about to go show jumping.