Budget airline Ryanair denies claims it will soon offer 'cheaper standing seats'

Over the last ten years, low-cost travel has become extremely popular, and it’s difficult to find a more affordable choice than Ryanair, which occasionally offers tickets for just €7.99.

Nevertheless, recent social media buzz has suggested that the Irish carrier might soon introduce an even more affordable choice with "stand-up seats."

These seats would look like vertical bicycle saddles, enabling passengers to recline instead of sitting upright completely.

Travelers would mostly find themselves in an almost upright stance, sustained by a cushioned, slim seat equipped with a support for the back to help maintain their body positioning.

Extra safety measures commonly featured in conceptual drawings of such designs encompass harness-type seatbelts or straps aimed at keeping passengers safe during take-offs, landings, and turbulent moments. Additionally, there are upright poles linking every row to the airplane’s ceiling to enhance steadiness.

This is a highly space-efficient setup that enables airlines to fit additional passengers within the cabin for shorter flight routes.

Various travel-oriented platforms and social media entries claimed that Italian company Aviointeriors was set to supply these seats to Ryanair, enabling the airline to offer them as an option starting from as early as 2026.

Nevertheless, the firm has affirmed that it currently "has no intention" of doing so.

Meanwhile, Aviointeriors' official communications confirmed that the Skyrider, a standing seat mock-up often featured in these claims, "is in fact a conceptual prototype dating back to 2012" and "is not part of the official line-up" of their products.

Still, the origin of these viral claims actually traces back to past statements by Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, who is known for suggesting unconventional cost-cutting ideas.

As far back as 2010, O'Leary discussed the theoretical concept of "standing seats" to maximise aeroplane space and offer extremely low fares. He also proposed the idea of pay-per-use onboard toilets in 2009, as well as a "fat tax" that would impose extra charges on overweight passengers.

Nevertheless, these concepts were explored merely as jests or means of drawing attention, with no formal plans being drawn up.

Could standing seats work?

Even though no airline has officially endorsed the implementation of these upright seats, they might theoretically work for brief trips.

The standing seats created by Aviointeriors have already been subjected to initial safety evaluations, demonstrating their ability to meet the standards for emergency landings and quick evacuations set forth by aviation authorities.

These tests indicate that, considering only safety aspects, it could potentially be feasible to achieve the strict criteria established by organizations such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The main concern for both airlines and manufacturers revolves around passenger comfort. On short trips, the mostly standing position that travelers would assume with these saddle-like seats could lead to issues such as unease, tiredness, and poor blood flow.

Similarly, airlines are already facing scrutiny for reducing legroom and making cabins more confined. Adding standing seats could lead to substantial opposition; although some surveys suggest that a tiny segment of highly cost-conscious passengers might accept them if ticket prices were very cheap, broad acceptance seems unlikely, potentially jeopardising the airline’s profitability.