Multiple low-cost airlines in Europe are planning to change a part of their economy seats into Skyrider 2.0, a new, half-standing seat that would drastically reduce the cost of flight tickets.

The new standing seats are designed for passengers to lean against padded bicycle saddles attached to the cabin’s floor and ceiling. Passengers would recline against a 45-degree angle, with their weight falling on their legs and core. The seats would also include safety seatbelts, like a harness-equipped support.

These vertical seats weigh nearly half the weight of a regular seat, which would cut down on fuel burn. According to airlines, standing seats could be priced as low as €1-€5, making them ideal for budget travellers. Furthermore, they occupy less cabin space, allowing for an extra 20% more passengers to board on flights. It could also increase the profit of airlines, as more passengers means greater profit margins and fewer parts means less cleaning, allowing planes to spend more in the air.

The seats are designated for short-haul flights lasting less than two hours, offering a leg workout for those who opt for the vertical seat option. According to rumours, whilst these seats would be the most budget-friendly option, regular seats could still be priced relatively low, though at a slightly higher price.

Standing seats have brought quite some debate online, with some thinking it’s the perfect solution for budget travels, whilst others are concerned about comfort and passenger well-being.

This concept had been previously considered by Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary in 2012, and is now growing more and more popular within Spanish and Eastern European countries. However, this development has sparked concerns regarding safety, comfort, and regulation. Issues like passenger safety during turbulence, whether the vertical seats met safety standards for emergency situations, and whether passengers would be able to evacuate safely and quickly if necessary, are still up in the air.

For now, standing seats seem to struggle passing rigorous certifications required for commercial flights, and they could only be implemented once these certifications have been approved.