New airline seat ‘Skyrider’ is world’s tiniest

MELBOURNE - A new airline seat, which is said to be the tiniest, is set to be unveiled at a US aircraft show this week.

The seat, dubbed as the “Skyrider”, is curved like a saddle, forces passengers to sit at an angle, with part of their weight taken on their legs, which are also tucked under the seat in front.

It is estimated that the Skyrider will allow just 23 inches (58 centimetres) of legroom, seven inches (18 centimetres) less than the average seat pitch of around 30 inches (76 centimetres).

But it claims the seats, which are partial overlapping of the passengers seating between rows, will increase the number of seats in economy class without sacrificing passenger comfort.

The seats, designed by Italian aircraft seat design company Aviointeriors, were styled on saddles used by cowboys and will be comfortable for flight of between one to three hours.

“The seat is like a saddle. Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in it,” News.com.au quoted an Aviointeriors spokesman as saying.

The makers also claim that several airlines have expressed their interest in the seats, and should they plan to go ahead and install them the company would have to apply to aviation authorities for proper certification. (ANI)