Hard to imagine, regional trains and the tube without Sit/Stand Seats. Passengers get in, lean on for a while and get out again at the next stop. Stand Seats are first choice, for short distances and an efficient option to boost cabin load at rush hour.

What works for trains may work for aircraft, too. No wonder, airlines like the Ireland based Ryanair consider to transport passengers the same way. But are Sit/Stand Seats appropriate for aircrafts? Are they the right mean, to reduce costs? And if so, at what price?

The AIDA Development (www.aida.aero, www.aida-development.de) has gained reputation as high-tech development provider for aircraft interiors. AIDA´s customer list sounds like the ´who is who´ of aviation industry. Companies like Airbus and Eurocopter are listed as well, as interior manufacturers from all over Europe and the USA.

In 2005 AIDA developed a Sit/Stand Seat concept. Especially the high safety requirements were a real head-scratcher for the designers and engineers. Aircraft seats, and a Sit/Stand Seat will also be certified as ´Seat´, have to withstand forces 16-times higher than the passenger weight. Due to the concept´s small foot-print this high loads will be applied to a relatively small area at the cabin floor. Maximum forces will be exceeded fast.

Also ergonomic demands are extremely high. Finally a 6.5 ft Norwegian has to fit into the seat as well as a petite 5.0 ft Asian. That means, a fixed seat surface does not come into consideration.

The concept´s feasibility could be proven, though. In 2005 the AIDA presented the seat to the interested audience at the Aircraft Interiors Hamburg, the most important industrial fair for aircraft interior products.

The concept´s technical data are convincing. Weight can be reduced by 20 %. And the space saving design allows for a 10 % reduced seat pitch. Airlines could transport for instance 132 instead of 120 passengers in a Boeing 737. Costs will be reduced, revenue will boost.

What do the passenger think about the Sit/Stand Seat idea? Airline studies have to prove now, if passengers are willing to enter an airplane without a ´real´ seat – and first of all, will show, what they are willing to pay for such a seat.