Passengers headed off on flights with budget airlines could soon be facing a strange new type of journey after standing-only seat designs were said to have passed the necessary safety tests. Unusual upright padded seats, which allow passengers to lean but not sit down, have been in the works for several years, having first been revealed by Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors in 2018.

These standing seats, known as the Sykrider, would be used for flights under two hours. The Express has now spoken with several aviation and travel experts who have shared their thoughts on this strange new design.

The main feature of the seat is the "the original bottom that ensures an increased upright passenger position allowing installation of the seat at a reduced pitch, while maintaining an adequate comfort," according to the Aviointeriors spokesperson.

"The design of this seat enables carriers to increase the passenger number by 20 %, allowing for increased profits for airline companies."

But one expert highlighted a major concern with how these standing seats fare with aircraft safety measures. 

Dr Akhil Bardwaj, former engineer and senior lecturer at the University of Bath's School of Management, who conducts research in aviation safety, told the Express: "Anyone who has taken a flight recently has had to sit through a pre-take-off announcement about safety including how to put on a seatbelt, what to do in case of an emergency and water landing, etc. regardless of whether there is any chance of survival if such an event was to transpire. Perception of airline safety matters.

"The idea of a flying bus that packs passengers might seem appealing, but it might undermine the perception of how the industry thinks about safety. At the very least, such a move requires a very strict oversight and a very clear explanation to the flying public why this is safe."

Meanwhile, LP Maurice, a travel expert, backpacker, and the CEO who started Busbud, helping travellers easily compare and book public transport worldwide, argued that the idea of standing-only seats is a good one - for the airline.

"It squeezes out more profit per square foot and opens the door for ultra-low fares. From a business angle, I get it.

"But as someone who’s worked to make long-distance travel better, not just cheaper, I see the obvious downside. You're trading almost all comfort and dignity for a few saved bucks on short-haul routes. That might work for some, but it sets a worrying precedent where price always wins over passenger experience.

"Travel should be accessible, yes, but not at the cost of making people feel like freight."

The travel expert added that there could very well be a market for the product. He said: "Some travellers will absolutely go for €5 tickets if the flight is under two hours and they just want to get there. And if safety checks are passed, it becomes more of a values debate than a regulatory one.

"But most people still expect a seat when they buy a plane ticket. You can market it all you want, but you can't lean your way to comfort. This model might find a niche, but it won’t replace traditional seats anytime soon."

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has backed "standing berths" since 2012 and suggested fares could be as low as £1. However, no airline has yet confirmed that it will introduce the seats.

A spokesperson for Aviointeriors said of the designs in 2018: "The Skyrider 2.0 is an innovative seat. It allows an ultra-high density in the aircraft cabin.

"Skyrider 2.0 opens the travelling experience to a wider passenger market, creating also a useful space for the introduction of mixed classes boarded on the same aircraft." However, not everyone appears to be on board with this new design.