Airline Seat of the Future?

A new airline seat has riders straddling a saddle-like cushion, with just 23 inches of space between them and passenger in front of them, USA Today reports. The SkyRider, in which passengers are somewhere between standing and sitting, will be unveiled at an industry conference next week. Maker Aviointeriors hopes airlines—it says several are interested—will sell the seats at reduced prices, as a class below coach.

In theory, they'd make up that money and far more by being able to jam more people in their planes. "For flights anywhere from one to possibly even up to three hours this would be comfortable seating," says a company official. "The seat is like a saddle. Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable." An FAA spokesman is skeptical but doesn't rule out the possibility that such a seat would meet safety requirements. And everyone laughed when Ryanair suggested a similar scheme.
(More airlines stories.)