Gen Z Britons reveal why they are willing to try ‘standing seats’ on planes

By ESTHER MARSHALL

Published: 11:11 BST, 27 May 2025 | Updated: 11:11 BST, 27 May 2025

A controversial prototype design for a standing plane seat recently went viral on social media. 

Designed by Aviosinteriors, the seats have a bike-style perch so passengers would lean at an angle without being able to properly sit down. 

While the seats have yet to be introduced on any airline, the design proved divisive with many travellers saying they’d never want to fly in one. 

However, a poll has revealed that Gen Z travellers are much more open to the idea of flying without a seat, if the price is ‘significantly’ cheaper that is. 

A new YouGov poll asked Britons: ‘For flights of two hours or less, if the ticket costs were significantly lower, how willing or unwilling would you be to book a “half‑standing seat”- effectively like a bicycle seat with a full back rest and arm rests?’

The majority of Brits weren’t at all keen on the idea with 62 per cent saying they were either ‘fairly unwilling’ or ‘very unwilling’ to give the seat a go. 

But Gen Z were up for the challenge. 

Over half (53 per cent) of those aged between 18-24 said they’d be willing to give a standing seat a go, if the price was significantly lower. 

A controversial prototype design for a standing plane seat recently went viral on social media. Designed by Aviosinteriors, the seats have a bike-style perch so passengers would lean at an angle without being able to properly sit down

The majority of Brits weren’t at all keen on the idea with 62 per cent saying they were either ‘fairly unwilling’ or ‘very unwilling’ to give the seat a go

A poll has revealed that Gen Z travellers are much more open to the idea of flying without a seat

Those aged 65 and over were the least likely to fancy a go on a standing seat with just 11 per cent saying they’d be willing to have a try. 

Men were slightly more likely than women to be willing to travel in a standing seat with 32 per cent saying they’d try it, compared to 21 per cent of women. 

But what would it actually feel like?  

An Aviosinteriors spokesperson who has tried the company’s prototype design told MailOnline: ‘I only sat in it for five minutes, I obviously haven’t travelled in those seats [for a long time].

‘I ride horses, so for me, it felt comfortable. Who knows whether if you sat in it for two hours or three hours how that would feel?’

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Gen Z Britons reveal why they are willing to try ‘standing seats’ on planes

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