SkyRider airline seats pack fliers into 23 inches of space

[brooklynite]

Source: USA Today

Think your seat in coach is cramped? Take a look at the SkyRider.



The new airplane seat, to be unveiled next week at the Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas conference in Long Beach, would give passengers an experience akin to riding horseback.

They'd sit at an angle with no more than 23 inches between their perch and the seat in front of them — a design that could appeal to low-cost airlines that have floated the idea of offering passengers standing-room tickets on short flights.

The SkyRider isn't headed for an airplane cabin just yet. But its designer, Aviointeriors, an aircraft seat design firm based in Latina, Italy, says several airlines, including some in the U.S., have expressed interest.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-09-10-airlinestanding10_ST_N.htm

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Setting aside the profit motivations, the riding public has party brought this upon themselves by demanding ever-lower fares in a competitive travel and expensive business environment.

[wtmusic]

1. At some point there has to be a safety issue here. nt

[xchrom]

2. i like anchovies -- i don't want to BE an anchovy. nt

[Renew Deal]

3. Those look good for a 1 way trip to the moon.

?w=254&h=254

[Codeine]

4. I like the standing idea for short flights. nt

[KeepItReal]

6. You may change your mind after being stuck on the tarmac or getting your flight re-reouted

Between air traffic control and mother nature, I can see those "seats" becoming a real nuisance.

[woo me with science]

5. We've come a long way, baby

American (Airlines) to charge $8 for blankets, pillows (Feb 9, 2010)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4261744

Airline CEO: Nix Co-Pilot, Save Money (Sept 6, 2010)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4529911

Spirit Airlines' Next Fee? Talking to a Human (Aug 3, 2010)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4489647

Spirit Airlines announces plan to charge for carry-on bags (Apr 6, 2010)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4334162

[Brickbat]

12. It's so sad to see the pride companies used to take in the services they offered and see now what

crap they pawn off on us. They should be embarrassed. This goes for most industries that provide a service -- banks, retail, restaurants, private transportation, insurance, and so on. It used to be "How can I help?" and now it's so much "How can I get more money out of you before you get fed up enough to leave? And at that point, where can you go, realistically?"

[d_r]

13. And a lot more people can afford to fly today

[yellowcanine]

7. "... several airlines, including some in the U.S., have expressed interest."

Lovely. Why not get rid of the seats altogether and pack the passengers in so tightly that even if they fall asleep they won't fall down?

[Poll_Blind]

8. That's going to be a nightmare for anyone with mobility/circulation issues. Or an infant.

(I mean someone with an infant)

I don't have a problem with either of those things but once I started mentally putting different types of riders in that seat a number of them came back with red flags.

Also, I wonder whether the position generally helps or hurts the chances of developing a deep vein thrombosis...Anyone?

PB

[spinbaby]

9. Or any elderly person

Imagine trying to get the average 85-year-old in that contraption.

[colorado_ufo]

10. People don't get deep vein thrombosis from horseback riding.

It could be the construction of the saddle and/or the motion of the horse and freedom of movement of the legs.

Perhaps installing a vibrator option in the seat would help with circulation . . . and consumer satisfaction :-)

[sharp_stick]

11. Damn I hate flying

I used to love it. I used to love the entire experience from the airport on, it was fun. I enjoyed people watching, the pace was laid back. Now it's just a pain in the ass all around. I used to travel all the time for work, at least once a week now I do it as rarely as possible. American Airlines wonders, and sends me all kinds of notes asking why I don't have super duper elite status anymore.


I hate trying to park in the overpriced off airport lots that my company insists I use. I hate having to check in online, I hate being told that there will be $xxx dollars in extra charges because of some stupid shit that I'd never heard of. I hate going through secruity. I hate waiting in that stupid little waiting area until they tell me that my gate has changed to one on the opposite side of the damned airport and I have 5 minutes to get over there. I hate getting on a plane when the seat is still warm from the person who just left it. I hate knowing that nobody has actually cleaned the plane for at least the last 6 weeks. I once noticed a smell and the tall guy sitting on the aisle side looked into the overhead bin where he noticed an old hamburger/fries covered in all kinds of shit just crammed down into the bottom of the bin. I hate the inevitable wait at the gate, on the tarmac, in the air while you circle the destination endlessly and hope that you may just make your connection which will inevitably be on the opposite side of the damned airport where you come in.

Flying sucks.

[hunter]

14. I think I'd rather stuff myself into a box and send myself FedEx.

Or, better yet, jump onto a passing freight train.

[PJPhreak]

15. There is no way,

That anyone will get me into a Greyhound Bus with wings!

I have only been on a commercial aircraft twice in my life,once in 1967 and again in 1969 when my family flew to Puerto Rico...Back when flying was an adventure.

All my travels since have been by Car,Train,Mortorcycle,Bicycle,Motor Vessel (Merchant Ship) or Sailboat.

I'm like those folk back in the 20's...If humans were ment to fly,we would have Feathers!