Cowboy Class? Firm Promotes Saddle-Inspired Airline Seat

Friday, 10 September 2010 | by Pat's Picks

First class. Business class. Coach. Saddle Class? Based on the idea of riding a horse, an Italian company says its new airline seat only takes up 23 inches of space. A regular coach seat is usually around 28 inches deep. According to USA Today, the company thinks low-cost carriers will fall in love with their new design, maybe even creating a new class of seating for the saddle-inspired seats, as it will allow them to pack more people onto their flights.

Both Ryanair and a Chinese airline have expressed interest in offering standing room seating on short flights. For those worried that the seat might feel cramped, a company spokesman offered this assurance: “The seat ... is like a saddle. Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in the saddle.”

Here’s a closer look at what the Skyrider‘s look like:

This would be a good cost-cutting alternative to Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary’s idea about eliminating co-pilots.

More about the SkyRider from AvioInteriors

Lots of people are trying to improve the coach experience. At the beginning of the year, we told about a New Zealand-based airline plan to offer coach customers their very own “Sky Couch,” a a seat and footrest combo that reclines into an ?almost flat? bed.

Spirit made the change earlier this summer to pre-reclined seats, a switch I fully support. The new seats don’t go up and down and the airline says they’re lighter, which saves fuel money. 

Check out the Air New Zealand’s Sky Couch: