A new conceptual airline seat has been unveiled that prioritizes capacity over traditional comfort.
The Aviointeriors Skyrider 2.0, presented at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2018, is aimed at budget-class cabins. The design is intended to give taller passengers more leg clearance, but does so with an “ultra high density” layout: the seat pitch is just 23 inches. That compact arrangement eliminates under-seat storage and significantly reduces the space available to sit.
According to Aviointeriors, “Skyrider 2.0 opens the traveling experience to a wider passenger market, creating also a useful space for the introduction mixed classes boarded on the same aircraft.” The company highlights an innovative seat base that promotes a more upright posture, enabling installation at a reduced pitch while attempting to preserve acceptable comfort levels.
Aviointeriors markets the Skyrider 2.0 as a potential “new frontier of low cost tickets,” saying it could make air travel accessible to people who might not otherwise be able to afford it. The configuration could allow airlines to increase capacity by around 20 percent in a cabin.
Industry analysis suggests carriers would likely trial the Skyrider 2.0 in limited sections of a cabin rather than fit an entire aircraft with the seats. As of now, no airline has placed an order for the design.