Standing-room flights inching their way to reality
By Jason Buckland, Sympatico / MSN Finance
Picture with me, if you will, you’re on a packed public bus and you’ve been fortunate enough to grab a seat.
Now – even though you’re lucky to be sitting – what would be your worst-case scenario in this spot? If some guy, with terrible B.O., came and stood over you with his arm outstretched grabbing the railing above, right?
Of course it would. There’s nothing worse. Yet, what if said you might have a chance to soon pay hundreds of dollars on an airplane seat only to experience the same phenomena? Is that something you might be interested in?
As we discussed in this space last month, the rights of airline passengers continue to melt away, bit by bit, but there’s a story now on the horizon that just might set the standards a little lower.
A Chinese airline has a plan in the works to offer discounted fares to passengers who would be willing to stand in the aisles for the duration of flights.
Shanghai-based Spring Airlines has pitched the idea to the Chinese government and, buoyed by the staunch support of the country’s Vice Premier, there appears to be a good chance it might actually stick.
The airline says the flight would still operate as normal, only the new provision would allow them to, according to the LA Times, “cram 40% more travelers” onto the plane. (Standing passengers would be strapped into bar stool-like stands during takeoff and landing.)
Sounds obscene, no? But I know what you’re thinking. Sure, they’re doing this in China. That place has a population density higher than Michael Phelps at a South Carolina college party. It’s a matter of necessity.
Mmm, not so fast. The idea “isn’t so farfetched,” says the LA Times, and European airlines are said to have been studying the concept “for years.” In fact, just yesterday Ryanair announced it already has plans to adopt a variation of Spring Airlines’ proposed system.
Does that mean standing-room flights could make their way to a North American airline near you? Tough to say, for now. A more important question might be, at this point, would you bet against it?
Posted by: Name Withheld | Jul 7, 2021 9:36:37 AM
At what point will people finally say enough when it comes to the way the airline industry treats their customers? I know of no other sector in society where people/companies could get away with such horrible customer service for so long, and never be held accountable. According to the last few articles I have read, I will now have to pay to stand up for flights, pay to use the toilet . . . I might as well save up and buy my own plane.
Posted by: Anon Anon | Jul 7, 2021 9:42:16 AM
Hysterical. Obese passengers get two seats for the price of one fare, and the rest can pay to stand.
Posted by: Joe Johnson | Jul 7, 2021 10:11:40 AM
Ummm, no. Obese passengers who take up 2 seats, pay for 2 seats.
Posted by: Anon Anon | Jul 7, 2021 10:25:17 AM
I think they lost the court case in this country based on discrimination, but I could be wrong.
Posted by: Ted C | Jul 7, 2021 10:41:00 AM
Better yet, put the stinky fat guy standing in the aisle !! BTW, just how are they supposed to serve drinks and meals with these peeps in the aisle? Or have the hostesses get past? Or how are we supposed to get to the WC? I dont mind the airbus thing, really, as long as they charge Ryanair rates. For those of you in NA who dont know what I mean, check out their website. It costs me $3.25 to go 8 blocks in this city. For 20 times that, I can go from London Eng to Barcelona Spain. Even less on a seat sale.
Posted by: Sir Richard | Jul 7, 2021 11:11:21 AM
You have to be kidding me. Is there not something more worthwhile reporting as news than this trivia? Federal regulations are there to ensure the safety and well being of the flying passenger; thus the reason for the seat belt, the oxygen masks, and the in-flight stews. These men and women whom tell you when to 'put your seats and trays back into their upright position' are there solely to ensure your travel safety in the vent of an emergency; they are not there to tickle your libido or serve you a drink or a meal.This is a sideline function of their work.
Try to picture a flight with travellers standing in the aisles, blocking the aisles, bouncing around as rag dolls whenever an air pocket is found and these standup travellers falling over the seated travellers. It is an accident looking for a place to happen. The number of lawsuits would rise exponentially.
Give me a break. Give me something real to blog about.
Posted by: Posterboy | Jul 7, 2021 11:22:11 AM
Well, there's talk about allowing small pets as cabin luggage. With straphangers in the aisles, and dogs & cats (and maybe goats & chickens?) underfoot, all we need is crates of chickens strapped to the roof! Welcome to TWA (Third World Airlines). Premium prices, and you get to travel like a local! (If your idea of "local" is rural India)
Posted by: Tim | Jul 7, 2021 11:36:43 AM
This is so typical of MSN allowing stupid Blogs like this - Are you so narrow minded that you think that this would be something that would actually pass saftey regulations.
Grow up !!!!
Posted by: bobster | Jul 7, 2021 12:14:55 PM
It's MSN Canada, what do you expect? Get your news from worthy sources, with insightful commentary, not this drivel...
Posted by: Ted C | Jul 7, 2021 1:25:26 PM
Bob, Tim, Sir Richard - do you guys REALLY live in Canada? Have you ever REALLY examined the sort of things that come out of our Governments and their agencies? No way this could happen in Canada, what with a gov't agency looking after us? Hahahahaha I think it must be Stephen, Micheal, and Jack using aliases. Maybe Dalton too. Anyways, saying our governments wouldnt allow this to happen makes me think you live in Wonderland - or possibly have had a few too many trips yourselves - using little purple pills. Anyways, anyone that trusts our governments or their agencies MUST be part of one, or under 30 , and you decide if I mean years or IQ.
Posted by: Paul | Jul 7, 2021 1:31:16 PM
When will we stop flying, using up fossil fuels, and creating additional environmental damage?
Posted by: Misha | Jul 7, 2021 3:48:45 PM
I can't believe this s... First it was pets allowed in the cabin area, now "Standing room" policy. What next??
Posted by: ANGUS MILLER | Jul 7, 2021 4:25:20 PM
i for one would stop flying this is so stupid animals get treated better when flying air travel used be a great adventure but now it is see how the public will take but i t will take out the seat recliner probelm???
Posted by: Soctane | Jul 7, 2021 4:50:47 PM
How could this idea ever 'fly'? What about take-off, turbulence, and landing? They don't even let you get up to pee during that. This will never happen.
If they really want to innovate, put in 'sleeping pods' like what you find in those infamous Japanese hotels. You can stack 'em high and lock 'em in and just imagine how rested you will be when you've had a long flight and were able to sleep laying down the whole way.
Posted by: Steve | Jul 7, 2021 6:02:12 PM
How bout turbulence? I've heard of planes dropping several feet and people sitting without seat belts going up and smashing there heads. Didn't that guy from tv ads just have an accident like that? Then there will be injuries and lawsuits. The sleeping pods would be great. Let the Chinese or Japanese do it. Obviously they treat their own kind like animals anyways.
Posted by: Lindon | Jul 7, 2021 6:41:47 PM
This has to be a joke. I fly constantly. Detroit - Seattle, Detroit - Houston, Toronto - Montreal, Toronto - Ottawa, Toronto - Calgary, Toronto - Edmonton. I mean CONSTANTLY. I spend more time in the air than on the ground. To have someone standing during a flight is utterly stupid. In many flights, there may be sufficient turbulent to injure someone who is not sitting and secured with a seat belt. I have experienced it all. This will never fly (no pun intended). There is no way ANY airline company would take this risk. I once got up to wait at the lavatory during a calm flight and was told to sit down until it became free. This was on NWA. The company I work for would fire anyone, on the spot, for even the most minor safety infraction.
Posted by: Steed | Jul 7, 2021 6:44:30 PM
Paul, you ask when we will stop flying, using up fossil fuels, etc. The answer is when we die, however, others will take our place.
Posted by: Sandford Tuey | Jul 7, 2021 9:39:30 PM
This should be illegal. If there is turbulance or hard landings and takeoffs, the last thing a sitting paying passenger wants is some other passenger face down in their lap. It's bad enough I have worn the hot coffee from the passenger seated infront of me when the plane dropped so fast that beverages hit the ceiling and landed on the people behind. Not sure what happened to my drink either.
Stuffing passengers in the aisles is illegal from a fire point of view and should not be allowed. Just like people are not allowed to crowd stairs or walkways in theaters.
Sandford Tuey
www.Playdigm.com
Posted by: armlecker | Jul 8, 2021 6:10:56 AM
Read all of the comments . One should not get hyped up about these Tabloid Papprozzies seeking attention.They as any other person are trying to make a living .Let them be .One should not taken in by these articles . just have a laugh and forget it .Reality will come fast if it ever will implemented .we have a goverment (or socalled ) who might stop this or not .Who knows .Just read the REAL news .It is more scaring then a highflying Attentiongetter .He should go to Afghanistan with a rifle and protect our lifestyle then making a mockering about it
Posted by: armlecker | Jul 8, 2021 6:15:41 AM
i did write before .Maybee it did not passed the censors ?