Asking because I’m a disabled person with severe POTS and my heart has been recorded stopping after 35 minutes of being forced to stand up, so I absolutely couldn’t do a more than 30 minute flight if this is going to be the case (I’d also imagine a woman’s heart stopping shortly after takeoff and having to lie down in the aisle to stay conscious/recover would call for a return to the airport).
I’ve heard some airlines are considering standing only seats and will roll them out in 2028 because it allows passengers to be packed more tightly and it’ll make more money. The articles don’t seem to say which airlines are considering this though, so I’m wondering if it’s going to be a thing.
That’s a great rundown with decent logic & examples behind each point.
I think the biggest point is the takeoff weight.
If the impact/evac/safety aspects can be addressed, the only way I can see it working is to add a “cattle class” that’s like $10 cheaper than current economy and has something like 40 “seats”.
Then increase the price of what is currently economy class by $10-20.
You lose $400 because of the new cheaper class, but gain $1,200 to $2,400 by increasing the price of economy (considering a 160 seat plane, and convert 40 seats to standing). So, net gain $800-2000. Let’s you advertise new cheaper fares, and the price increase isn’t hugely egregious when the 40 seats sell out instantly.
I guess it doesn’t work on less busy flights if only the 40 cheap seats sell