Controversial 'standing seats' could be brought into airlines next year with tickets as cheap as $5

Whether you're willing to admit it or not, we all like to travel in style. While some of us can only dream of flying first class, others refuse to travel any other way.

Still, with the average first class ticket costing up to $12,000, it's simply a luxury many of us can't afford.

There's something satisfying about bagging a bargain break, and whether it's saving a few dollars on your hotel or transport, some of you are obsessed with squeezing every cent out of your getaway.

We're not sure we'd be willing to stay in a transparent hotel room just for a free night's accommodation, and similarly, we're not convinced that standing for the entire plane journey will be worth it. After all, catching 40 winks while standing up is quite the achievement.

On the opposite end of the spectrum to the YouTuber who tried every seat on the most expensive airline in the world, airlines could apparently be rolling out $5 standing seats as early as next year.

Instagram account @entrepreneurshipquote claims that these padded standing seats are being manufactured by Aviointeriors with plans to have them in operation in 2026. With passengers able to lean back at an angle but not fully sit down, it's thought that these controversial seats could increase customer capacity by up to 20%.

We know how budget airlines like to get their most out of customers, but alongside increasingly stringent baggage rules or extra charges for the likes of Wi-Fi, there’s even talk about making you pay to use the toilet.

MailOnline approached Aviointeriors for comment, but it declined to confirm or deny whether these standing seats will soon be taking to the skies.

The Skyrider 2.0 seat was originally showcased at 2018's Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, with the saddle-style seating being an evolution of a concept that failed to launch in 2010.

This supposedly new and improved Skyrider has more padding and firmer mountings, with poles connecting rows to the ceiling and floor instead of simply fitting a frame to a rail.

Aviointeriors said back in 2018: "The Skyrider 2.0 is an innovative seat. It allows an ultra-high density in the aircraft cabin. Skyrider 2.0 opens the travelling experience to a wider passenger market, creating also a useful space for the introduction of mixed classes boarded on the same aircraft."

The manufacturer also said the Skyrider 2.0 weighs 50% than a standard economy seat, as well as having fewer parts to provide 'minimum maintenance costs'.

Promising "the new frontier of low-cost tickets and passenger experience," the idea of something similar to the Skyrider has been championed by Ryanair's Michael O’Leary since 2012. Back then, he said he wanted his Boeing 737 and 800 planes to be fitted with 15 rows of 'normal' seats and 10 rows of standing seats, saying that tickets could cost as little as $1.

More than just comfort complaints, there are concerns about health risks and safety during turbulence or emergencies.

Manufacturers say the seating is compliant with global safety regulations and will be limited to specific flights. Thankfully, we don’t think you’ll be standing for the world's longest flight.