Airlines standing up for new cost-cutting move?
There’s been a lot of jokes about airlines putting in pay toilets in their never-ending attempts to generate income but how serious are they about “standing” seats?
As far-fetched as pay-to-go? Maybe not.
Two carriers are considering it.
Spring Airlines, a 4-year-old carrier that calls itself China’s first low-cost carrier, is looking for permission from China’s aviation regulators to reconfigure its planes to allow some stand-up "seats."
For consolation, standing passengers would pay less than those with a seat.
The concept was suggested by high level officials that include China Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, according to Air Transport Intelligence, a website that focuses on industry news.
Ireland’s Ryanair, usually known as the world’s most innovative low-cost fare carrier, says it will sell standing-room-only tickets if the Irish Aviation Authority will change its safety regulations.
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief, suggests standing passengers could be safely strapped to stools or railings.
Mr O’Leary has pioneered a number of cost-saving steps, including buy-on-board food, and the possibilities of charging overweight travelers more to fly and pay-for-use restrooms.
Not everyone thinks this is a bad idea. “I think standing up would be fine on shorter trips. It beats being stuck in the middle seat in Y between two sizeable people,” writes one blogger.
But will US flyers soon have this choice?
“Although there are plenty of copycats in the airline industry, travelers in the USA aren’t likely to get the option of flying on their feet any time soon,” said USAToday.
Current regulations call for everyone above the age of two to have a seat, said Less Dorr with the US Federal Aviation Administration.
The idea has economic merits, however.
Removing seats to accommodate standing passengers could increase capacity on domestic flights up to 50%, according to some estimates.
Even if standing passengers paid lower fares, the result could be an increase in revenue per flight. It also could let airlines lower costs by allowing them to offer fewer flights.
Does anyone want to vote with their feet?
Report by David Wilkening
David
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