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Chinese airline wants spare 'barstool-style' seating to carry 40% more passengers
China's Spring Airlines is in a bit of a pickle. The air carrier has enjoyed a steady increase in passengers since its start in '05 thanks to low fares (which means next to no complimentary in-flight amenities), and now its fleet of 13 planes can't handle all the prospective customers. The airline already has 14 new jets on the way, but that's not enough, officials say.
The solution? Make passengers stand! Well, not completely, but close enough. "It's just like bar stools. The safety belt is the most important thing. It will still be fastened around the waist," Spring Airlines' Zhang Wuan told China's CCTV. The new arrangement, according to Spring Airlines, would allow 40% more passengers on every flight and help reduce the carrier's cost by up to 20%, which would in turn lower fares.
Spring Airlines president Wang Zhenghua may even want to take the idea further, after talking with China's vice premier, Zhang Dejiang. "He suggested that, for a lower price, passengers should be able to get on a plane like catching a bus, with no seat, no luggage consignment, no food, no water, but very convenient," Mr. Zhenghua said.
That kind of reasoning is entirely opposite to most airlines, which seek to recoup losses through luxury services and optimized routes while still providing comfort. Still, it's just a proposal for the time being. Spring Airlines wants to submit its plan by the end of the year.
Via Sky News
By Mr. Gumsandals at 7:11 PM ON 07/01/09
Clever idea. As long as the bar stool is attached to a bar, sign me up!
By xzach_attackx at 7:39 PM ON 07/01/09
sounds like an awful idea. sitting slouched on a backless stool for a few hours on a flight sounds horrible.
By Stan Winstone at 8:06 PM ON 07/01/09
Wouldn't that cause a safety issue with all the extra weight of 40% more people and their luggage?
By AirCattle at 12:47 AM ON 07/02/09
With no luggage allowance, this "bus service" could carry many more passengers–and they're not the first to propose this for short hops. Airbus already has looked at "stand up" seating where passengers would park their buns on a small ledge and strap themselves in. http://www.seattlepi.com/business/267888_seats25.html
Just when you think conditions could get no worse! No doubt they'll save thrust by giving the cabin no additional air for all those people. Train anyone?
By IsoTek at 1:24 AM ON 07/02/09
Geez maybe we can start strapping people to the wings and fuselage too.
By Thrishmal at 5:49 AM ON 07/02/09
Not a bad idea, IsoTek.
Seriously though, stool seating sounds like a real pain. They may as well not even worry about seat belts anyway, not like they would do much good in a plane crash anyway and you save money!
By Giggity at 11:19 AM ON 07/02/09
This is hilarious...bad idea, but hilarious none the less.
And what luxury services do airlines provide anymore anyway?
They herd us like cattle, make us wait hours and still make us pay exhorbitant prices all while reducing amenities.
I mean, cmon...we have to pay extra to bring bags now?? Yeah, because I normally travel without any clothes and stuff.
This statement alone is full of BS: "most airlines, which seek to recoup losses through luxury services and optimized routes while still providing comfort"
By Giggity at 11:21 AM ON 07/02/09
This is hilarious...bad idea, but hilarious none the less.
And what luxury services do airlines provide anymore anyway?
They herd us like cattle, make us wait hours and still make us pay exhorbitant prices all while reducing amenities.
I mean, cmon...we have to pay extra to bring bags now?? Yeah, because I normally travel without any clothes and stuff.
This statement alone is full of BS: "most airlines, which seek to recoup losses through luxury services and optimized routes while still providing comfort"
By citizen x my space at 2:51 PM ON 07/06/09
sounds a bit like a slave ship, how they were all packed in like sardines , I think people should have more respect for themselves , air travel is becoming more and more like a cattle run, how sad we are looked apon as animals, how human standards have sunk so low to make a buck, I think some day we will regret letting these big companies destroy our lives, please don’t accept it, boycott any airline that does this, I will never fly Ryan air ever again for the things they have done to the industry it is just mean, the cost of fuel has dropped , the 99 cent ticket still costs around 200euro anyway, the only people saving money is the airline not us! don’t be a sucker
By zintradi at 11:24 AM ON 07/07/09
The airlines herd us like cattle because we, the flying public want to pay cattle car prices... if you want luxury, buy a first class ticket...
I'm sure sooner or later there will be pushback on this whole idea and some airline will try the idea of a different business model with say 20% higher fares, but with fewer people per flight, full meals, complimentary drinks and seats that recline further. They could even try that idea while flying out of smaller regional airports so the security lines are shorter...
By Dave at 7:40 AM ON 08/01/09
I think it is a good idea. If they cram people in tight enough, they won't be able to fall over.
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