Standing Room Only? Are No Seat Flights Coming to an Airline Near You?
Air travel is a pain. You deal with long airport waits, baggage searches, pat downs, security scans, crowded seasons and few amenities have taken the glamour out of airline travel. In fact, for many, air travel is both inconvenient and expensive. Now a European airline executive has a new idea for cheap flights.
Michael O’Leary, the CEO of the Irish airline Ryanair, is known for controversial ideas like pay toilets on airplanes and pay-per-view in-flight porn. His latest idea is a standing-room-only section on airplanes.
O’Leary has been quite vocal about his belief that seat belts offer little protection in the event of an airplane crash. In the standing-room-only sections there would be no seat belts because there would be no seats. Prices would start at about £1 ,the equivalent of $1.50 in the U.S. O’Leary believes these cheap standing-room-only tickets would sell out long before more expensive tickets for seats.
While seat belts on airplanes are unlikely to save one’s life in the event of an airplane crash, they do prevent airline injuries. Seat belts are especially important during take-off, landing and when there is too much turbulence. These are the times when many airline injuries occur. Seat belts keep passengers in their seats if the plane must stop suddenly, crashes into another object or experiences severe shaking. If passengers are standing, they are likely to suffer severe injuries.
Will O’Leary’s idea fly? Critics say it is not likely, at least not without a change in transportation law. For now, European safety regulations require that every passenger be buckled up during take-off and landing.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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