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July 03, 2009

Airline mulls installing 'standing seats'

Thomas Lifson
As airlines cut back on amenities like hot meals, free soda, and clean interiors, word comes of a new innovation aimed at saving money while maximizing revenue: selling standing room.

The report comes from a serious trade magazine, Flight Global:

Privately-owned Chinese low-cost carrier Spring Airlines has spoken to Airbus about adding standing-seats on its Airbus A320s so it can have 40% more passengers on board.

Zhang Wuan, an official at the Shanghai airline who works closely with the CEO, says: "We are planning to have standing seats" and have had "initial discussions with the Airbus side to see if the safety question can be" addressed.

Don't worry about safety, though. There will be something resembling a "bar stool" featuring some form of restraint. Presumably, the revenue-maximizing airline will be selling drinks to passengers on the bar stools, so the complete package could feature the ambience of a low rent cocktail lounge.

As wealth continues to be destroyed, we are all going to become accustomed to less and less luxury in our lives. Soon it will be thirty-somethings who remember the good old days.

Hat tip: Bryan Demko

Posted at 09:59 AM | Email | | | Share Share
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