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Guide to Standing Airplane Seats

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Standing Airplane Seats
Coming Soon or Never Happening?

Standing airplane seats are back in the spotlight and they’ve got people talking. The concept has been floating around for years, but new images shared in May 2025 show just how real the idea is becoming. Designed to look more like a bike perch than a traditional seat, these upright designs aim to squeeze more passengers onto short-haul flights by cutting down on legroom and space.

It’s a big shift in an industry already under pressure for limited space and extra fees. Some see standing seats as a way to reduce costs even further, making flights more affordable. But others raise serious concerns about comfort, safety and whether the idea makes sense in practice.

Are these seats the next step for low-cost travel, or a concept that’s unlikely to become reality? Let's find out...

Aviointeriors Skyrider prototype

What Are Standing Airplane Seats?

Standing airplane seats (also called upright or saddle seats) are designed to save space on short-haul flights. You’re not fully standing, but rather perched on a small, padded saddle with your legs angled down and a vertical backrest behind you.

The goal? Fit more passengers on board by shrinking seat pitch and removing features like recline or cushioning. These designs trade comfort for capacity.

Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors leads the pack with its Skyrider series. The seats have a fixed position, minimal padding, and no tray tables or in-flight screens. They include footrests and arm supports to offer just enough structure for flights under two hours.

It’s a big departure from traditional economy seating. Instead of a recline and decent legroom, you get the bare minimum - all in the name of potentially cheaper tickets.

But while they might lower prices, standing seats raise questions around comfort, safety, and whether most passengers would choose them at all.

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Ryanair plane at Stansted

History and Development of the Standing Airplane Seat

The idea of standing airplane seats first made headlines in the late 2000s as airlines searched for ways to cut costs and boost capacity. In 2010, Ryanair floated the concept of “vertical seating”, widely seen as a PR stunt, but it got people talking.

That same year, Italian aircraft interior firm Aviointeriors revealed the Skyrider 1.0, a saddle-style seat with a nearly upright backrest. It caused a stir but never made it onboard.

The design returned in 2018 with Skyrider 2.0, a lighter, slimmer version offering just 23 inches of seat pitch - far below standard economy spacing. In 2019, Skyrider 3.0 followed with tweaks for comfort and short-haul suitability.

While the seats have made regular appearances at aviation expos, including the latest coverage in May 2025, no airline has officially adopted them. Safety standards, passenger comfort concerns, and regulatory hurdles have kept the concept grounded.

An aircraft parked at a gate at the airport

Why Are Airlines Exploring Standing Seats?

More Space, Lower Costs 🤑

It all comes down to space and cost. Airlines are constantly looking for ways to carry more passengers without adding more planes. Standing airplane seats offer one possible solution. By reducing the space needed per traveller, these upright designs could allow extra rows, increasing overall capacity, especially on short-haul routes.


Flexibility ✨

It’s also about flexibility. Some seating concepts are designed to slot into existing cabins alongside standard seats, creating a multi-class setup where passengers can choose between lower-cost standing options and traditional seats. This could help airlines offer a wider range of prices without overhauling the entire aircraft layout.


Budget-Friendly 💸

For budget-conscious travellers, the draw is clear. If standing seats lead to lower ticket prices, they might open the door to travel for people who’d otherwise stay grounded. Think of it as another step in the rise of no-frills flying - one where you pay for what you need and skip what you don’t.

There’s no pretending it’s luxurious. But for short flights and smaller budgets, standing seats are being pitched as a practical way to make air travel even more affordable.

Two model planes with a yellow background

Challenges with Standing Airplane Seats

Regulation 🛃

A key issue is regulation. Aviation authorities like the FAA and EASA have strict rules about seat pitch and passenger safety. Most standing seat designs don’t meet the required minimum space between rows, making certification unlikely under current guidelines.


Safety Concerns ⚠️

There are also safety concerns. Traditional seats are crash-tested and built to keep passengers secure during turbulence or emergencies. Standing seats offer less protection, with smaller support structures and saddle-like perches that raise questions about how passengers would be kept safe in high-impact situations.


No Interest 😒

From a practical standpoint, there’s no confirmed interest from major airlines. No aircraft manufacturer has certified these seats for use, and without regulatory approval, airlines can’t install them, even on short-haul or low-cost routes.

Until these challenges are addressed, standing airplane seats remain a design experiment. Manufacturers may continue to develop the idea, but for now, it’s not something you'll find on board.

A person sitting in a seat on a flight

Passenger Experience and Comfort

Let’s be honest - comfort isn’t the selling point here. Standing airplane seats have been tested at several industry expos, with journalists and aviation experts giving them a go. Most describe the experience as tolerable for short hops, but not something you’d want for anything over an hour.

The seat itself isn’t really a seat. It’s a narrow, saddle-style perch that supports part of your weight, with your legs still bearing most of it. The backrest is vertical and there’s very little space between you and the row in front - around 23 inches, compared to the 30–32 inches you’d expect in economy.

For taller passengers, it’s cramped. For shorter passengers, the perch can feel too high. And for anyone with mobility needs, it’s simply not practical.

That said, the idea isn’t to replace traditional seating - it’s to offer an ultra-budget option for short journeys. Think quick city breaks where price matters more than comfort. If you’ve ever stood on a packed train to save money, the trade-off will feel familiar.

A flight cabin with a view of the aisle

Public Reaction and Industry Response

Standing airplane seats have sparked plenty of debate and not all of it’s positive.

  • Some low-cost airlines have shown interest, eyeing the chance to cut fares and boost capacity on short-haul routes. But none have committed, and the seats remain a prototype-only concept.
  • Regulators like the FAA and EASA have raised red flags. Safety remains the biggest hurdle, with concerns about crash protection, emergency evacuation and the legality of ultra-tight 23-inch seat pitch.
  • Passenger reactions haven’t been glowing either. At the 2018 Aircraft Interiors Expo, The Points Guy’s JT Genter tested the Skyrider 2.0. At 5'11", he said his knees hit the seat in front and found the setup uncomfortable, even for a brief test. Others have compared the design to “torture devices,” with concerns around space, comfort and dignity leading the conversation.
  • The latest May 2025 images of Aviointeriors’ updated Skyrider model reignited debate online, but most travellers still aren’t convinced. A few say they’d consider it for a flight under an hour if the price was right, but that’s about it.

Until regulations shift and public trust improves, standing airplane seats will stay where they are: an eye-catching idea still grounded by the realities of air travel.

A Spirit Airlines aircraft coming in to land

The Future of Standing Seats

Standing airplane seats might look the part, but for now, they’re stuck on the ground. Until safety regulations shift and manufacturers prove these seats can handle real-world flying, they’ll remain a concept - not a cabin upgrade.

That said, they haven’t disappeared. Designers continue to tweak the layout, and if aviation authorities ever loosen pitch rules or approve new safety frameworks, things could change fast.

For ultra-low-cost airlines, the draw is clear: fit more passengers, drop prices, and offer no-frills travel for short-haul flyers. But to get there, standing seats need to win over regulators, airlines and, most of all, passengers.

So will they take off? Maybe. But it won’t happen overnight. For now, the idea stays in testing - a bold solution to rising travel costs that’s still waiting for the green light.

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FAQs

Are standing airplane seats actually standing?

Not exactly - you're not fully standing, but you're not really sitting either. Standing airplane seats (like the Skyrider models) use a saddle-style perch, where you rest part of your weight rather than fully sit down. Your legs stay mostly straight, and the backrest is nearly vertical, offering just enough support to lean against.

Think of it like perching on a bike seat - but at 30,000 feet.

The idea is to save space, not provide comfort. These seats reduce the space between rows to just 23 inches, far less than the 30–32 inches you’d get in economy. That tight fit means no recline, no tray table, and barely any personal space.

They're built for short-haul flights only, and no airline has fitted them yet. But they’re designed to be a budget option - one where you trade a proper seat for a lower price and a faster boarding process.

Have any airlines installed standing seats yet?

No airlines have installed standing airplane seats on commercial flights. While the idea has been around for over a decade, and a few low-cost carriers have shown interest, none have officially moved forward with installing them.

The most well-known design, the Skyrider series by Aviointeriors, has been featured at major aviation expos and sparked plenty of discussion. But despite media coverage and growing curiosity, standing seats still face major regulatory hurdles. Aviation authorities like the FAA and EASA haven’t approved them for use, largely due to concerns around safety, seat spacing, and emergency procedures.

Until those regulations change and an airline commits to real-world testing, standing seats remain a concept. For now, traditional seating is here to stay.

Are standing airplane seats safe?

Standing airplane seats haven’t been approved for commercial use yet, largely due to safety concerns. Aviation authorities like the FAA and EASA require all seats to meet strict crash safety and evacuation standards - and so far, standing seat designs haven’t passed those tests.

The main issues include the reduced seat pitch, limited passenger support during turbulence, and unclear evacuation procedures in emergencies. While manufacturers like Aviointeriors say their Skyrider models are built with safety in mind, they’ve yet to receive official certification.

Until those regulations are met and full-scale testing is complete, these seats can’t be installed on commercial aircraft. For now, standing airplane seats remain a concept - not an approved or proven option for safe travel.

How much cheaper would a standing seat be?

Standing airplane seats are designed to help airlines cut costs by fitting more passengers into the same space. While exact prices haven’t been confirmed (because no airline has rolled them out yet) some reports suggest tickets could be significantly cheaper than standard economy fares.

In the past, budget airlines have floated the idea of offering these seats for as little as £1, though that’s likely more of a headline grabber than a set price. Realistically, passengers might expect to save 20-30% compared to a basic economy ticket, depending on the route and airline.

The goal is simple: create an ultra-low-cost option for short-haul flights, where comfort matters less and price matters more. But until these seats are approved and tested in real-world service, any cost savings remain theoretical.

Would standing seats be used for long flights?

No, standing airplane seats are not designed for long flights. They’re intended for short-haul routes, typically under two hours. The design is focused on saving space and reducing costs, not comfort. With a small saddle-style perch and limited legroom, these seats wouldn’t be practical (or safe) for extended periods in the air.

Manufacturers like Aviointeriors have made it clear that standing seats are meant for quick trips where passengers might be willing to trade comfort for a lower fare. On longer journeys, issues like circulation, fatigue, and overall passenger health become far more important, and current designs just don’t meet those needs.

So if you’re flying long-haul, standard seating options are here to stay. Standing seats, if approved, would likely only appear on shorter, no-frills flights aimed at keeping costs as low as possible.

Who makes the standing airplane seats?

The standing airplane seats most commonly in the spotlight are designed by Aviointeriors, an Italian aircraft interior manufacturer. They introduced the concept with their Skyrider series, first unveiling the Skyrider 1.0 in 2010. Since then, they’ve continued to develop the design with updated versions, including the Skyrider 2.0 and 3.0.

Aviointeriors focuses on creating space-saving seating options for short-haul flights, aiming to help airlines increase passenger capacity while reducing costs. The Skyrider is their most attention-grabbing concept, featuring a saddle-style perch, vertical backrest and a reduced seat pitch of just 23 inches.

While the design has generated media interest and debate, it’s still in the prototype phase and hasn’t been certified for commercial use. No airline has installed these seats yet, but Aviointeriors continues to refine the model and present it at major aviation expos, including Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

Why would anyone choose a standing seat?

Standing airplane seats are all about price and practicality. For travellers on a tight budget, especially those taking short flights, the lower cost could make flying more accessible. These seats are designed to fit more passengers into the cabin, which could help airlines offer cheaper fares.

They’re not built for comfort and they’re not meant to replace standard seating. But if someone’s flying for under an hour and just needs to get from one city to another quickly and affordably, the trade-off might feel worth it.

In the same way some people take the bus or stand on a packed train to save money, standing airplane seats could appeal to passengers who prioritise price over extras. They offer another option - not for everyone, but for those who just want to get there without spending more than they have to.

That said, if cost is the only reason you're considering a standing seat, there’s a better option. With Buy Now Pay Later at Alternative Airlines, you can spread the cost of your flight over time and book a regular seat with space to breathe. Choose from providers like Afterpay, Klarna or Affirm at checkout - no need to give up comfort to afford your trip.

What routes could the standing seats be used for?

While not currently in use, if standing airplane seats ever get regulatory approval, they’d likely be limited to flights under 2 hours.

Airlines that have shown interest:

  • Ryanair - Famously suggested vertical seats back in 2010
  • Viva Air - A Latin American low-cost carrier that explored ultra-basic seating concepts
  • Wizz Air - Known for cost-cutting innovation and has shown interest in similar ideas


Example routes where standing seats might be used in future (if approved):

These short-haul routes could be candidates purely based on flight time - not current seat options.