It wasn’t so long ago that I was questioning the rather questionable logic surrounding the concept commercial aircraft that has a transparent hull. As debatable as my stance may have been on that particular point (I’m willing to admit that may be some people’s thing), the latest commercial aircraft technological ‘improvement’ will undoubtedly prove to be a lot more one sided.
You may have read this story on the PopSci front page, and if you haven’t you really should because it potentially affects everyone who intends on flying anywhere in the future. The article talks about the proposed SkyRider seat ‘upgrade’ that will have your average passenger (read: economy fliers) travelling like horse-mounted cowboys in even more cramped conditions.
I’ve always believed it’s more beneficial to be a taller person: I can reach those pesky items at the back of pantries, I have a longer stride which gets me places faster and I have access to cleaner oxygen (WARNING: one of these items may be ridiculously untrue). But when it comes to flying—be it a short domestic flight or an epic haul over to the other side of the world—my height becomes a negative. It’s difficult to stretch my legs out properly, and my generally larger frame means that I have to cross my arms to fit in my seat lest I risk rubbing shoulders with random strangers or have my elbow hit by that surprisingly solid food & drinks cart.
In case the link between my uncomfortability with the current state of economy-class flying and the proposed SkyRider conundrum isn’t transparent, let me make it abundantly clear: this is a very bad idea. That being said, as stated in the original article, it is rumoured that several airlines are already interested in the innovation. And why wouldn’t they be? More cramped seating conditions under the guise of some form of passenger cowboy comfortability equates to more seats on a plane which means they can potentially sell more tickets.
Now while the novelty side of me loves the idea of entering cowboy mode for such flights—complete with hat, spurs and bullwhip (airport security pending)—the rest of me is rather uncomfortable with the thought of further cramped flying conditions.
What say the rest of you?
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I hate long haul flights for that very reason. I am huge compared to who ever designed the seats of planes. There must be a nation of midgets somewhere in the world who’s sole export must be aeroplanes. No one has told them that the rest of us are tall, freakish like dinosaurs who don’t fit in their amazing flying contraptions!