No joke…this has been reported by several sources. Marketwatch.com is reporting today that Ryanair is considering adding “vertical seats” to their fleet and indicated that 42% of passengers polled would stand on short flights if they could fly for half price. They could cram 50-60 additional passengers onto each flight if this plan is finalized by management and approved by Boeing and authorities in the U.S. and EU. They’re also still kicking around the “pay to pee” idea that would remove two of three lavatories, add two more rows of seats, and charge $1.40 per use for the only remaining toilet on board.
Posted by
Boulder
2 posts
It is hard to believe that a safety transportation board in Europe would accept the idea of cramming an extra 50 people in. What if the people needed to be de-planed in a hurry?
As for the "pay to pee" idea, if travelers accept that, then I guess there is no end to the idea that cost is everything. Sad that it is even being contemplated.
C
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
The standing-room idea, as I understand it, would only be for flights of an hour or less. But I still don't see it being approved, as a safety issue. Even the flight attendants are required to be seated and buckled in at takeoff and landing. And though my suspicion is that the lavatory thing is just a publicity ploy, barring an emergency it really shouldn't be an issue for most people to "hold it" for an hour, particularly if they go before getting on the plane, like your mom always told you to do. In any event, it comes down to this: if you don't like their rules, don't fly with them. There are lots of other choices.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
368 posts
There are weight costs to consider by adding extra passengers like that as well. Extra weight equals more fuel required which equals extra weight, etc.
Also, seeing how long some the take-off rollouts for heavily loaded 737s I have been on, I would not be to comfortable adding more weight to the equation.
I would like to see their return on investment as they would be adding an extra average 7500lbs per air craft not including extra luggage (the standing restraint systems would likely be close to the same weight as an existing seat I would expect).
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32222 posts
Michael,
Yet more goofy ideas from RyanAir! Anything to maximize profits. I don't plan on flying with them again unless absolutely necessary!
Posted by
Freedonia
15243 posts
The guy who runs Ryanair loves publicity and lots of what he says if for that. I wouldn't take him too seriously.
Interesting though that they did announce they will be cutting back service out of London during the winter months.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
I agree with Frank II. By doing things like this Ryanair gets lots of media publicity as a "low cost" or "budget" carrier that they don't have to pay for. Just another example of the old saying that "There's no such thing as bad publicity."
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Jeff....thre's another axiom that might also be apropos..."I don't care what they say about us, as long as they spell our name right."