Row: 26 Seat: Standing Room

Posted in In the News | 2 comments

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I was surfing the internet tonight and came across this doozy of an idea. Privately held Chinese (they would) airline Spring Airlines is approaching the government about allowing passengers to buy standing room only tickets because their traffic has doubled and they can’t get additional aircraft quick enough.

Can you imagine? As it is now, on my airline, row 26 is basically sitting in the galley with us, never mind having a row of people just standing there because that’s where they’re ticketed to be. In addition to the bathroom line, those people needing to “stretch their legs,” mothers and their kids, we’ll now have people you can’t shoo away.

Airline officials said it’ll operate just like a bus or a metro system in a major city. These passengers will purchase  just the right to be on the aircraft there will be no food, water, luggage stowage or seat but it would be “very convenient.”

Spring had asked Airbus if their proposal would be safe and they said yes.

If this idea passes in China, whats the chances we’ll see it happen here? I don’t think the FAA would approve such a thing, but could this be where air travel is headed? I’m surprised US Airways hasn’t tried it, since their charging extra for windows and aisles now (and for a short while beverages too), why not offer a discounted ticket to stand in the galley with a “safety strap” to hold onto for take-off and landing.

Some people never cease to amaze me. I’m interested in seeing what happens!