Are standing-room-only flights really on the way? Europe's largest low-cost carrier responds!
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Recently, a netizen posted an AI-generated image on X, with the caption: "In the future, flying Ryanair will look like this. If your shoe size is larger than 10 or 11, you will need to pay an additional 15% of the ticket price as a surcharge."
This post garnered over 31 million views and reignited the debate about standing room only on airplanes. Even Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier, reposted the post and jokingly commented on the detail of a passenger wearing headphones in the AI-generated image: "We absolutely do not provide headphones."
In fact, as early as May of this year, media reports indicated that low-cost airlines might introduce "standing seats" as early as 2026.
Aviointeriors' "Standing Seat" Skyrider 2.0
Developed by manufacturer Aviointeriors, the Skyrider 2.0 is a bicycle-style cushioned seat. Its unique design allows passengers to recline without fully sitting down, potentially increasing aircraft capacity by 20%.
Previously, media outlets and social media posts claimed that Aviointeriors would supply this seat to Ryanair, and that Ryanair would offer this seating option to passengers as early as 2026. However, Ryanair has officially confirmed that it "has no such plans."
Furthermore, Aviointeriors also confirmed that the Skyrider "is actually only a concept prototype dating back to 2012 and is not part of its official product line."