Is the travel industry ready for the latest seat?

The question has been asked an overwhelming number of times: can the economy class cabin seating get any smaller? Will the limited legroom situation ever change to improve travel for budget-conscious passengers?

It’s been a topic that all of us at Dretloh grapple with regularly. Being a topnotch MRO services provider specializing in repair, maintenance, and overhaul of commercial aircraft, it’s imperative to find solutions for our clients. The newest airplane seat promises plenty of legroom, but it’s not what you expect. Say hello to the SkyRider 2.0

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Introducing SkyRider 2.0

Leave it to the Italians to design a solution! Avio Interiors is an airline seat and interiors manufacturer that just launched a seat with an “ultra-high density” design. The SkyRider 2.0 seat provides economy class passengers with lots of space to stretch their legs at no extra cost to them. As Avio Interiors stated in a recent Facebook post: “Hey folks! Let’s ride the sky in cowboy style!” The seating position is that of a horseback rider which points outwards to provide a comfortable saddle seat that cowboys can sit on for hours. The main thing to note here is that the seats are extremely upright so you’re practically in standing position. The company revealed the SkyRider 2.0 at the Aircraft Interiors Expo which took place in April in Hamburg, Germany.

Photo courtesy of Nick from Wisables

The Skyrider 2.0 is the new version of a design which was called, “the world’s smallest airline seat” previously launched in 2010. Unfortunately, the old model (pictured below) did not gain approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration. It was designed in the style of a horse saddle and failed to be a success in the aviation market.
Photo: Avio Interiors
According to Avio Interiors, the SkyRider 2.0 seat allows for an additional 20 percent in passenger capacity. The cabin will accommodate more passengers and will lead to more profits for airlines. Additionally, the seat weighs less than half of a standard economy seat. This reduction in components will allow for more cost-effective maintenance costs.