lindalove

Can you ever imagine yourself purchasing a ticket for a standing-room-only "seat" on an airplane? Think I'm kidding? I'm not.

The New York Times reports that Airbus has been proposing a plane configuration to Asian carriers that includes standing "seats", in which passengers would be strapped in harnesses for the duration of the flight. These spaces would be located in coach and would maximize the space used for passengers the planes.

If you would consider this, how much of a discount would you expect as compared with a regular coach seat?

And what about the rest of us who purchase a seat, but have the standing crowd hovering over us? Are we entitled to pay less? Why or why not?



One Day, That Economy Ticket May Buy You a Place to Stand

My thoughts: Whoa. This is strange. I can't imagine that would be very comfortable. And I have a problem with tons of people in cramped spaces anyway. There should really be some laws implemented with how many passengers a plane can hold for how long it will be in the air. Can you imagine buying a standing ticket for a flight from Florida to Hawai'i or something? Outrageous!

iccky

I could see it for short flights - DC to Boston or something. Any more then an hour or so in the air and I don't see it happening.

I'd say it would require at least a 40% discount though.

maleficent

I've been following this, and it would be for short distance flights only... and I would seriously LOVE IT.... Ok, it would make drink service a little impractical... and reading owuld bea challenge... but to never be tormented by the jackass in front of you who thinks it's acceptable to recline their seat into your lap while you are trying to work... or to not have the idiot behind you play with the tray table or kick your chair...

Airplane seats are not comfortable - flights longer than a few hours have my back going into spasms... i would happily stand for a 3 -4 hour flight...

the concern I would have - in order for this to be practical.. how adjustable are these standee seats... A personn who's 5'2 would fit a lot differently into that section than say one who's 6'0... Will these things be adjustable? Probably not...

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flstf

Maybe soon they will have handlers with white gloves to cram more people in.
I think standing room will work in Asia.

stevie667

Planes are limited by law as to how many people can be safely evacuated in i believe 90 secs, and how viable it is with regards to fuel costs e.t.c to have that many passengers and luggage aboard.

Standing may work, but only on short flights. I get pissed off standing up at the bar, let alone on a plane

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maleficent

If they did allow standees -- will they also be limited to the amount of carry on luggage they can bring? (Please, if there's any justice in the universe.... ) where would the carryon luggage go for those people?

I honestly have no objection to standing -it's more comfortable than an airline seat -but I know how long it takes to deplane an regional jet that seats 67 passengers... it'd take two hours to deplane a plane that seats 600 people...

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BigBen

My head hits the roof of the plane to begin with... (roof = bulkhead? Fuckin' navy)

No, I would not buy a place to stand. As someone who has stood for hours in one spot, it is a real killer. My feet swell, the blood pools in my legs and I get cramps (as well as almost passing out). That was on a asphalt parade square in boots and 35 degree heat, so maybe these little seats (lean-to's?) would help that out.

They would have to change the safety briefing for the first time in 30 years! "Please remain seated until the Captain has turned off the seatbelt light. Except for you poor fuckers who are standing. If you are standing, then just chill out..."

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Charlatan

What would be cool would be if they could stack those horizontally. You could geta few more in and you would be supine.

Sweet... of course getting down from the top bunk to go pee would suck but it would still be cool. Like flying capsule hotels... only smaller.

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maleficent

that would be incredibly claustrophobic.. don't give 'em any ideas...

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maleficent

I'd imagine turbulance (which I always think is kinda fun) while standing would be a little bit like riding one of those roller coasters that you ride standing up...

there will be a sign - you m ust be THIS TALL to stand here...

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BigBen

I just found out that the airlines are looking into a faster way of de-boarding an aircraft...



Getting on seems to be easy enough...

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ngdawg

I'd swell up standing like that for an hour! Then my legs would fall asleep.... Isn't there some sort of correlation between flying and the body's electrolytes that would make that position rather unhealthful for many?
And what about turbulence? That position would cause some whiplash or something, no?

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maleficent

I was just thinking about that - Deep Vein Thrombis is a concern for people who fly regularly - it seems to occur on long haul flights when people don't move their legs reguarly... i'd imagine standing - it would be a lot easier to move-and since you are not sitting, less pressure on your thighs - so the DVT problem would lessen....

for short distance flights, dvt is not a problem... it's the pressurized cabins,and not moving for a long period of time that causes the problem

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Fremen

They should put in a few treadmills, too.
That way you can walk 'around' and your feet won't get so tired.

Just strap me on the wing with a jacket and oxygen und I'll be hoppy.

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Zodijackyl

Sitting in any bus, most cars, theatres, and most other places with fixed seating already hurts my knees being a taller person (6'9"), but I simply would not fit in this most likely. It would be quite funny though to have a drink service with IV bags and tubes with disposbale mouthpieces like the ones on camelback water bags though.

Psycho Dad

I'm all for that. When flying, I generally take two flights in a day. The very first one out and the last one back. I'm tired both times and the sleep would be good.

Besides, they could change the announcement for water landing to "in the event of a water landing, your mattress can be used as a floatation device. Flaoting around on a mattress is far better than clinging to a seat cushion until the sharks arrive.

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ASU2003

I would get a bed 'seat'. But, I'm not sure how turbulence proof they would be. Getting in and out would be tough as well.

Radiospank

nope not gonna do that unless i was flying somwehre real short

ratbastid

... Like in a morgue? No thanks.

It's bad enough they call it a "terminal".

Val_1

I would imagine that the standing seats would reduced deboarding time. They will still have to have seats though. Not everyone is physically capable of standing for long periods of time. And the standing seats wouldn't work well for peopel of varying heights.

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little_tippler

I think it's a terrible idea.

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Vincentt

I'm going to go for a "capsule hotel" of planes.

I've stayed in some of these hotels before, and they are quite nice...

Basicly as said before, stacking prone people in booths.

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shyr_15

i can do it as long as its a short flight..

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Anexkahn

I would prefer this over sitting... being 6'4", unless i get put in the first row, i hate sitting with no leg room for the flight. I'd much rather stand for 4-5 hours.

AquaFox

if they are nly gaining 5 inchs more per row, that isn't rreally saving much room.... i don't see it happening... i would play it smart, i would get a cheap ticket for one of those, then i would spend the flight in the bathroom so i would have a place to sit

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blade02

I'd do it, but only to avoid the old ladies that want to talk to me the whole flight. Maybe that Im 22 it wont happen anymore, but when I was younger, I'd always wind up sitting next to the people that wanted to talk to me the whole time. Stuff like "Why aren't you young to be flying... blah blah blah". Theres a reason I have a book, and headphones. Its because I dont want to talk to you.

I think the BEST seats would be like the suspended roller coaster seats where your feet "dangle" below you. Being 6ft2, it seems like the only way to get enough leg room.

cyrnel

I'd do it, but I would fear the delays before and after actual flying time.

People would have to get used to not having lap or under-seat storage. That'd make it difficult to juggle books and drinks.

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genuinegirly

I would pay $10.00 for such a seat. I don't care how far the distance. It would be miserable.

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raeanna74

I think this idea will take a LOT of planning to make it a popular enough choice.

I kindof wonder if these wouldn't be the new 'economy seats' and the price for an actual SEAT (those that used to be economy) would cost a little more. Like when Hardees changed their drink sizes. They didn't really change them. They just eliminated the small drink and call the previously medium a small. Then they charged the previously medium price for the small. It's stupid and greedy in my opinion.

This could have it's advantages. Like some of those mentioned already. Some people would LIKE to be able to stand a little more on a flight. It might reduce the trouble with DVT. It might help exiting speed. BUT none of these will be true unless they plan this just right.

If they get it right, I'm not stacked in there like vertical cord wood, I'm able to lean enough the seat and harness enough, and if there's room for my carryon luggage - yeah I'd pay for it. Not as much as I'd pay for an economy seat now for sure.

I think if the average seat takes up 30" and these would gain 5" per row a logical price reduction would be 17% or 20%. I think I'd want at least 25% off the economy seat price.

I wonder if they'd provide one of those little bitty seats that you straddle? You know like the ones they have on those standup roller coasters?. They're relatively comfortable in my opinion. That might work well.

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maleficent

try sitting in the middle seat in the back of the plane, where the moron in front of you decides to recline their seat... Standing would be preferable...

the only downside to this - is that sleeping isn't an option - and that chatty cathy next to you would never shut up...

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Cynthetiq

for short runs it seems viable, such as commuter flights from Boston to NYC, NYC to DC, LA to SF etc.

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KungFuGuy

it would be cool if they strapped you into a harness, such as the ones they use for parachute jumping or mountain climbing, that just lets you hang there. If they figured out a standing room only seat that allowed you to take the wait off of your feet, it would rock.

I hate standing up for standing room only plays, so I dont think the proposed model in the diagram looks very good.

Cross-Over

I wish people wouldn't recline their seats, but as long as it isn't during takeoff, landing, or mealtime, then it’s permissible. I recline my seat only when the person in front of me has already reclined theirs. Being 6'3", dealing with the spacing is difficult enough, so if the person in front of me reclines, I do the same. Obviously, I wouldn't recline if there was a mother with a newborn, etc, but I use the above method as a general rule.


As for standing, I wouldn't mind doing it for up to 4 or 5 hours. Since it is only going to be used for even shorter flights, I'm definitely a proponent.

cyrnel

From the looks of it, if they don't supply one you could do it yourself. Hang it from the "seat" back. Not a bad idea, really. A bungie sleep harness would be more comfortable than most of the coach or business seats.

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G5_Todd

i would feel like a cheap bastard.....

hey maybe i would fly in coach and make the kids fly in standing room

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