SkyRider (seat)

SkyRider is an airliner saddle seat, a type of airplane seat shaped similar to a horse saddle. It was designed by the Italian firm Aviointeriors and reduces economy-class seating spacing (seat pitch) from an average of 32- to 30-inches, to 23-inches (58cm), a 25% decrease. The creator describes it as for use for ultra-high density seating configurations, allowing up to 40% increase in passenger capacity.[1][2][3]

The seat was designed to reduce ticket prices and increase profits.[3] It is for use on flights less than 3-hours in duration.[1] The company notes that cowboys ride in similar style seats for more than 8-hours a day in comfort.[2] The seat requires passengers to be seated partially upright, with their weight taken up by their legs.[2] The seat does not recline, and leaves the occupant's knees in contact with the seat in front of them.[4] The seat still contains a fold-down tray, and back of seat pocket, both for storage of carry-on items.[5] The design was unveiled at the 2010 Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas on 13 September 2010, in Long Beach, California, US.[4][6]

The design is superficially similar to the vertical seat design proposed by RyanAir. This stand-up seat design was met with initial skepticism by the safety and licensing authority, the European Aviation Safety Agency and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and has not yet been licensed for use. However, the SkyRider is not expected to meet with as much regulatory resistance as the RyanAir seat.[7][8]

The SkyRider seat is not currently approved by the FAA for use in the USA.[1]

References
  1. CNN, "Giddyup: Saddle seat a new squeeze on fliers?", Marnie Hunte, 14 September 2010 (accessed 15 September 2010)
  2. The Daily Telegraph, "SkyRider: new 'saddle' seat allows airlines to 'cram' more passengers", Andrew Hough, 14 September 2010 (accessed 15 September 2010)
  3. New York Daily News, "Saddle up! New airplane seat design is made for cowpokes, not real passengers", Robert Dominguez, 14 September 2010 (accessed 15 September 2010)
  4. Aviation International News, "High-density Seats Squish Penurious Passengers" Archived 2010-09-18 at the Wayback Machine, Matt Thurber, 15 September 2010 (accessed 15 September 2010)
  5. CTV News, "World's most-cramped airplane seat to launch", 15 September 2010 (accessed 15 September 2010)
  6. Times of India, "A saddle-like seat to squeeze in more flyers", 15 September 2010 (accessed 15 September 2010)
  7. National Post, "Italian company unveils ‘saddle seat’ for airlines", Ron Nurwisah, 15 September 2010 (accessed 15 September 2010)
  8. The Daily Telegraph, "Ryanair to sell £5 tickets for standing-room only flights", Laura Roberts, 1 July 2010 (accessed 15 September 2010)
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