Michael O’Leary, the combative head of European low cost carrier Ryanair, is never short of a cost-cutting idea. Recent suggestions have included higher fares for the obese, and passengers carrying their luggage to the aircraft.
But his latest PR stunt comes courtesy of Chinese carrier Spring Airlines, which was the first to announce it was looking at standing-only tickets. Spring thinks that “upright seating” (bar stools with a seat belt) will allow for 40% more passengers and much cheaper tickets.
Whether safety regulators are ready to allow it is a lot more important, and WiC doesn’t think this particular idea will ever fly.
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