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New Skyrider 2.0 Seat Will Allow Flights at 5 Euros in Europe, but Passengers Will Travel Standing Up with Limited Comfort
Starting in 2026, European passengers will be able to pay only 5 euros to fly. However, the extremely low price comes with an unusual condition: the trip will be made standing up. Low-cost airlines are preparing to introduce the Skyrider 2.0 seat, a new concept that promises to change the flying experience.
How the Skyrider 2.0 Works
The Skyrider 2.0, developed by the Italian company Aviointeriors, features a different shape from traditional seats.
It is a padded saddle, fixed to the floor and ceiling of the cabin. The passenger is positioned at a 45-degree angle, with the weight of the body distributed between the legs and an abdominal belt.
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It is not a conventional seat, but a kind of support. The feeling is similar to staying at a crowded bus stop, only at 10,000 meters in altitude.
Cost Savings and Efficiency for Companies
In addition to enabling extremely low fares, the new model offers operational advantages for airlines. The Skyrider 2.0 is twice as light as conventional seats. This reduces the total weight of the aircraft and decreases fuel consumption.
With only 58 centimeters of distance between rows — well below the usual 75 to 80 centimeters — planes could accommodate up to ten extra passengers on short flights.
This configuration increases capacity and improves flight profitability. With less weight and more passengers, companies reduce operating, maintenance, and cleaning costs, also speeding up boarding and disembarking.
Interest from Low-Cost Airlines
Ultra-low-cost airlines like Ryanair have already shown interest in the model. The company’s director, Michael O’Leary, has advocated for the adoption of similar seats for over ten years, which he himself calls “little benches with belts.”
The possibility of maximizing the number of passengers and minimizing expenses particularly appeals to companies focused on low-cost flights.
The low price, however, comes at the cost of comfort. Passengers will not be able to lie down, sleep, or stretch. Trips will be limited to routes of a maximum of two hours.
The focus is on passengers willing to forgo comfort in exchange for significant savings. Short routes like Madrid-Lisbon, Paris-London, and Berlin-Prague are the main targets for this proposal.
Safety Under Debate
The safety of the Skyrider 2.0 has also been a topic of discussion. According to the manufacturer, the model has passed the tests required by international aviation standards.
Aspects such as turbulence resistance, quick evacuation, and seatbelt functionality were evaluated.
Despite preliminary approval, the model is still awaiting definitive certification from European authorities. However, Aviointeriors is confident in final approval.
Divided Reactions on Social Media
The concept has generated varied reactions on social media. Many users celebrate the possibility of traveling for such a low price. Others, however, harshly criticize the model.
Some call the system a “passenger pen” and question the humanization of air transport. There are also concerns about accessibility, as the model may not be suitable for the elderly, families with children, or very tall individuals.
Despite the critiques, low-cost airlines believe there is a young, adaptable audience willing to try the new format.
At the same time, they plan to maintain traditional options for passengers who do not want to give up more comfort. The balance between cost savings and well-being will still be the biggest challenge.
It remains to be seen whether the price of 5 euros will be enough to convince the public to travel standing up. The fact is that the European airline industry continues to advance in the pursuit of ever-lower fares, even if that means almost completely sacrificing comfort during the flight.
With information from Xataka.
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