Airline seat resembling a saddle makes debut

Los Angeles: If you think airline passengers are already feeling cramped, check out the SkyRider, a seat that resembles a padded saddle and lets airlines squeeze in up to 40 per cent more travellers per flight.

The seat has not been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration or purchased by any major airline, but it drew crowds when it debuted last week at the Aircraft Interiors Expo at the Long Beach Convention Centre.

With the US airline industry still staggering from $58 billion (Dh212 billion) in losses since the terrorist attacks of 2001, the new saddle seat represents the latest idea for wringing as much revenue as possible out of each flight. Other money-saving ideas on display at the expo included an in-seat entertainment system with a built-in credit card reader, passenger seats and overhead bins made of lighter material to reduce fuel costs, and carpeting and seat covers that need less maintenance.

Extreme measures

"We would like to help an industry that is not making a profit," said Fredrik Meloni, a sales manager for Italy-based Aviointeriors, the designers and manufacturers of the SkyRider seat.

Still, airline analysts predict such extreme measures as the saddle seat may be limited to a few economy air carriers such as Ireland's Ryanair or Florida-based Spirit Airlines.

"I don't think that most airlines ... would even consider them, so consumers will still have some choices when it comes to comfort," said Anne Banas, executive editor at SmarterTravel, an online consumer travel website. A spokeswoman for Spirit Airlines said the company had yet to see the SkyRider seat and could not comment on it. Ryanair could not be reached for comment.

The industry had nearly recovered from the September 11 terrorist attacks when the recession hit in 2007, cutting demand, particularly among business travellers who began flying less, booking economy-class seats and staying in cheaper hotels.

Fuel prices

Although demand for airline seats and prices has begun to inch up in the last few months, the industry is still staggering, with airline executives worried that a jump in fuel prices could send the industry into another nose dive.

At the Long Beach expo many exhibitors unveiled lightweight airline cabin fixtures — seats, overhead bins and other interior modules — aimed at cutting fuel costs, air carriers' second-highest expense behind labour.