Ryanair wants you to stand while you fly
A quick Ryanair primer for those unfamiliar:
The budget airline, based out of Dublin, is run by a man named Michael O’Leary. O’Leary is a CEO right out of the Sir Richard Branson mould, reserved for bosses who crave – and value – heaps of publicity. You might remember this behaviour cresting in April when Ryanair told the world it would begin charging its passengers to use the airline’s toilets.
And O’Leary, not unlike Mel Gibson’s lack of discretion, is back at it again. Last night, Ryanair announced it would begin the process of offering standing room seats and fares on some of its airplanes.
According to the Daily Mail, the Irish budget carrier is set to begin safety testing on discount seats where passengers would perch on a narrow shelf-like plank and lean against a padded backboard for support. Shoulder restraints would also extend over and across the passenger’s chest for extra protection during the flight. Picture here.
If O’Leary has his way – read: if the European Aviation Safety Agency gives them the okay – Ryanair would remove the back ten rows of seats on 250 of its airplanes and add 15 rows of the standing room “chairs.”
While this plan is probably two parts publicity to one part business sense, that one part is still a big chunk when you step back and analyze the airline’s proposal.
For starters, standing room fares could be as low as $6.50 for passengers (that’s why, with such a low profit margin, the Ryanair move isn’t a complete slam dunk despite adding dozens of paying customers per flight) so they’re bound to be popular among all types of travelers.
Remember: the lion’s share of Ryanair flights are within Europe, so your longest possible flight can’t be much more than a few hours in duration. For the money, it’s not like you’re being asked to walk on hot coals for a cross-Atlantic journey.
And on that note, these seats don’t seem that bad. Anyone ever been on one of those standing roller coasters, where you’ve got the fake-seat-thingy between your crotch that supports your weight for the length of the ride? Those things are fine, right? As long as your back isn’t bearing the brunt of your weight, these seats should be just peachy. For a $6 flight, the comfort level seems more than generous.
In any case, the question on everyone’s minds is probably this: will we ever see standing room flights on Canadian airlines?
Well, I asked reps from both Air Canada and WestJet yesterday, and while AC didn’t respond as of press time, WestJet’s answer was telling enough:
“I can’t speak for other airlines, but we certainly have no plans to consider such a move,” said Robert Palmer, the carrier’s spokesperson. “WestJet strives to deliver a world-class guest experience each and every day, and clearly, this type of seating arrangement would fall well short of that. Regardless … I’m certain it wouldn't meet Canadian aviation safety regulations.”
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: whatever | Jul 4, 2021 2:02:13 AM
he's an idiot to think people will want to stand in a plane while it's taking off or landing..
also Jason stop with Mel Gibson's comment.. you look like an arse seriously.
Posted by: Akonye Kena | Jul 4, 2021 11:16:47 AM
the concept isn't new - when the A380 was in development, there were reports of some Asian airlines putting these in - turned out to be a hoax.
Am I surprised? Not in the least. Of course, this is why I don't fly economy - or take budget airlines.
Posted by: Chris | Jul 4, 2021 12:02:12 PM
As long as it is not for longer than a 2 hour flight (That is the max average between every 2 European Capitals) and as llong as it passes all tests of the European Aviation Standards, it should be fine...
Problem is why only 6.50$?!!! How much was the regular seat originally, just 10.00$???
If so, t would be scary to go on those planes to start!!!
Posted by: John | Jul 5, 2021 11:16:09 AM
Great Idea, current seats don't provide enough breathing space anyways!
Posted by: Chad | Jul 5, 2021 4:11:02 PM
Funny Air Canada didn't respond and WestJet did... Kind of supports the impression of arrogance that is indicative of Air Canada, the private company built on tax payers money and based in Montreal or maybe you should have asked them in French!
Posted by: Ted C | Jul 5, 2021 4:20:19 PM
Nothing wrong with the idea IMHO. Have flown Ryanair in the past and it is just FINE, and paid only 5GBP (plus taxes) for my seat. It may become popular on the short hops of an hour and less and not so popular on the longer flights. If it helps me get on a flight I need to make, I'll try it, but the regular seats are cheap enuff that there really isnt a huge cost savings. Ryanair is a popular concept in Europe, especially among the young who wont mind standing for short terms anyways. And it has directs to smaller airports that the big carriers dont. It is a viable business move that should be applauded. If they dont sell these spaces, the regular seats will be put back in I surmise.....
Posted by: Dogg64 | Jul 5, 2021 6:40:38 PM
Sign me up!