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Budget airline proposes upright seating
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BUDGET carrier Spring Airlines is considering offering passengers a new low-cost way to fly, as long as they’re prepared to forgo the comfort of a regular seat.
The idea is to introduce “upright seating,” which can significantly increase the capacity of each flight, Wang Zhenghua, its chairman, said yesterday.
If the idea wins approval from the regulator, the company will be able to cut ticket prices by up to 30 percent, he said.
On an upright seating flight, passengers effectively stand for the duration of the flight. However, in the event of turbulence or an emergency situation, they can “sit” on simple folding chairs and strap themselves in. On an Airbus 320 — the aircraft most commonly used by Spring — an upright seating configuration would allow for 20 more passengers per flight, which in turn would reduce the carrier’s costs by 20 percent, Wang said.
The budget airline first proposed the standing concept in 2009, but failed to gain approval for the idea from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
The idea resurfaced yesterday as the company promoted its new international routes to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Singapore.
Several years ago, Airbus drew up plans for an upright configuration for Ireland-based budget carrier Ryanair. Malaysia’s Air Asia has also considered the idea.
Upright seats are similar to bar stools, with no backrests or arms, and passengers can choose to either sit or stand while in the air.
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