Airline mulls ‘standing-only’ flights to boost sales

As one of the world’s most competitive industries, airlines are constantly looking for ways to maximise revenue. But, while most carriers charge for extra leg room or entice people with a premium upgrade, one has devised a rather unconventional approach to boosting sales.

South American carrier, VivaColombia has mooted the suggestion of standing-only flights, this week – in favour of so-called vertical seating.Although, it may not sound the most comfortable experience, it could be an ideal solution for those looking to travel short-haul on a budget. Not least because increased passenger numbers would push down ticket fares.

Not that the cabin wouldn’t be structured into aisles, of course. Traditional rows would merely be replaced by ‘saddle’ seats, which offer a bar stool-inspired perch and a back rest.

Also, passengers would also still wear a seat belt which would go over their shoulder in a similar style to the jump seats used by cabin crew during take-off and landing.The quirky idea was first mooted by Airbus in 2003, while Ireland’s low-cost carrier, Ryanair, tried to implement the idea in 2010.

They conducted a poll of 120,000 people, which found that 80,000 of them would consider the seats if they were free, while 42 per cent said they would use them if the fare was half that of a traditional ticket.

However, the plans drew criticism from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who raised doubts over whether they would pass safety tests. To this day they’ve never been approved by any aviation authority in the world.But, undeterred and keen to push the envelope, the leftfield idea is now being pushed by VivaColombia’s founder and CEO, William Shaw.