Passengers on fully loaded Russian flight told “standing room only”

Looks like the Russians managed to beat Ryanair to claiming the dubious honor of being the first airline with standing room only.

On a Tatarstan airlines flight from Antalya (Turkey) to Ekaterinburg (Russia), passengers were told that the flight was full, and that they’d need to stand if they wanted to get to their destination.

In total, six adults did not get a seat – which means they were also without a life jacket and oxygen mask, not to mention the possibility that the plane would not have enough bags of pretzel snack mix for them.

Apparently, the original plane with 148 seats had been switched out at the last minute for a plane with 142 seats. In any normal situation, the airline would “bump” the six passengers and leave them behind, but I guess telling people to just shut up and find somewhere to stand is much cheaper.

Of course, the passengers are now demanding compensation from the airline, expecting just under $5,000 for the experience of having to stand. Look at the bright side – if told to stand, you won’t have to worry about a middle seat, and there won’t be any arguments over the armrests.

Spring Airlines gets international approval

Remember that story about China’s Spring Airlines considering standing-room only tickets?

Well, if they ever get around to realizing that glorious dream, standing-room only could be slowly making it’s way closer to you.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) ruled on Thursday that the airline will be able to operate specific international routes. Spring Airlines is the second private firm that has received this approval by the CAAC.

This will initially open up short-distance routes, such as flights to Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea and Russia. The airline was founded in 2005 and currently has 13 Airbus 320 passenger jets, with 30 domestic air routes.

Any volunteers for when Spring Airlines decides to take standing room to trans-Pacific flights?

Spring Airlines considers standing-room tickets

Remember a few years ago when Airbus was considering standing-room only economy class tickets? Well it looks like the aircraft manufacturer might have its first taker.

China’s Spring Airlines says it has been considering the concept since the beginning of the year to accommodate a surge in passenger volume. While a representative for the airline claims that the new method is “just like bar stools,” it could allow for 40% more passengers and cut costs by 20%, while lowering airfare for consumers.

Spring Airlines could submit the idea for approval within the year.

I guess this will bring up entirely new issues of when it’s appropriate to be out of your “seat.”

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[Thanks, Howard!]