Latest news with #lowcostairlines
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Budget airlines have finally hit rock bottom – cheap standing seats on flights would be a disaster
IT'S time to take a stand against budget airlines - although we might soon not have a choice. Terrifying travel news this week, that a handful of unnamed airlines are considering introducing standing-only seats on planes. 4 4 Despite looking better suited to a death-defying rollercoaster than a two-hour plane journey, it's been suggested that they could become be the norm for cheap flights, with it becoming a 'privilege' to get a proper seat. The uncomfortable-looking designs by Aviointeriors have a slanted, saddle-like base that allows the passengers to still be strapped in, while standing upright. it's the third version of the design, which was first revealed by Aviointeriors as far back as 2010 and has since gone through a number of 'improvements.' They claim to take up much less space than a standard economy seat, with just just 23 inches compared to 31 inches. That'll be music to low-cost airlines ears, who presumably are envisioning more crammed passengers to squeeze cash from - after repeatedly shrinking legroom, chair width and luggage allowances over the last 20 years. I love to walk around a cabin to stretch my legs, but I hardly want to be standing the whole time. Standing might even be preferable over this bizarre, half leaning situation. It reminds me of that awkward perch against a pub garden fence when you run out of seats - something never comfortable but acceptable after a few pints. Maybe these are the seats for those passengers enjoying some Wetherspoon beers before a flight, who will barely notice whether they are upright when boarding. I am all for a cheap flight - notoriously never checking in a suitcase to avoid any extra fees - but there are some things that I think are a necessity on a flight. Plane seats of the future – with no tray tables, TV screens or seat pockets and full screen dividers between each row And one of them? Being allowed to sit down. The rollercoaster like seat certainly would be just as uncomfortable during turbulence as a rollercoaster seat is when being spun and flung around corners. And I don't expect them to be a 'cheaper' option despite Ryanair's Michael O'Leary previously touting the idea of £1 standing seats in 2012. After all, Ryanair and easyJet's cheapest fares are now around £15 - but this comes without any luggage, unlike good old days when it had a free suitcase. Low-cost airlines ditched these back in 2018 - but this has hardly been passed onto the consumer in the way of price, seeing as flights back then could be found for £4.99. So with free luggage gone, and it appears cheap sit-down seats to be next, who knows what' else could gone. else is around the corner. 4 It was Ryanair who once suggested they would charge passengers to use the bathroom. Perhaps we'll have to pay to have a back to our seats, after a bizarre back-less easyJet seat went viral back in 2019. Thankfully we seem to be a way off from them being rolled out. Aviointeriors confirmed that while there has been "interest" in the seat, no airlines have actually bought them. Don't expect to see them on long-haul flights either, as it's suggested it will only be on flights less than two hours. But who knows, it's one step closer to removing seats all together, making the term "cattle class" that bit more apt. The only upside? Don't expect someone wanting to take the seat next to you if it's empty. Hey, it could be the latest plane hack to getting a row to yourself.
Skift
06-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Vietjet Expands to Central Asia With New Kazakh Joint Venture
Vietjet's new Kazakh venture signals a quiet reshaping of air travel in Central Asia, where low-cost carriers have only started to scratch the surface. Vietnam's fastest-growing airline has announced a major new joint venture in Kazakhstan. The partnership with Qazaq Air will create a new airline brand known as Vietjet Qazaqstan. The deal represents only the second agreement of its kind after the creation of Vietjet Thailand in 2014. The project was announced during a tour of the Central Asian country by To Lam, general secretary of Vietnam's Communist Party. The timing — coinciding with a formal state visit — underscores how aviation can be used as a tool of soft power and economic diplomacy. In a joint statement, the companies confirmed that the new airline will operate a fleet of at least 20 Boeing 737 planes. They said this will enable 'strong expansion of its domestic and international route network,' without disclosing specific cities to be served. What's the Goal? There are currently no scheduled nonstop passenger flights between the two countries. The distance between the capitals of Vietnam and Kazakhstan is approximately 2,000 nautical miles. This is comfortably within the range of the Boeing 737 Max 8 or similar variants. The vision for the new venture is to become, 'a strategic air bridge connecting Kazakhstan with Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and global aviation hubs.' Kazakhstan may not be the most obvious next stop for a Vietnamese airline known for beach routes and Southeast Asia hubs, but that's part of the appeal. The new venture is a soft launchpad into untapped markets in Eurasia, where demand is rising but low-cost options remain relatively sparse. Kazakhstan alone is the world's ninth largest country, with a population of more than 20 million people. Strategic Questions Remain The planned deployment of more than 20 Boeing 737s will mark a major scale-up of Qazaq Air. It is currently a regional carrier operating a small fleet of turboprop aircraft. The new venture will 'build on the existing Qazaq Air platform,' but it remains unclear if Qazaq Air will be absorbed into the new brand or operate alongside it. Vietnam's Ministry of Finance granted a foreign investment registration certificate to Aviation Holdings, a subsidiary of Vietjet. This authorized the acquisition of a strategic equity stake in Qazaq Air. No timeline was given Tuesday for the first flights or required regulatory approvals. Financial terms for the transaction were not publicly available. Vietnam's Golden Visa Ambition to 23-Million Tourist Target More Chinese tourists are now choosing Vietnam over Thailand. Smart visa policies could help keep it that way. The easier it is to get in, the more likely travelers, and their wallets, will follow. Read More An Untapped Asset? While nearly a dozen foreign low-cost airlines now fly to Kazakhstan, the country has just one homegrown budget carrier: FlyArystan. The creation of Vietjet Qazaqstan is likely to bring significant competition to the company, which is a no-frills subsidiary of the national airline, Air Astana. In recent years, Kazakhstan has emerged as a strategic location for international investment. Its proximity to China, Russia, the Middle East, and major emerging markets has piqued the interest of overseas investors. The country is also rich in rare minerals and other natural resources. Last week, Skift reported on data from Group. It highlighted Kazakhstan among countries that are gaining traction with outbound Chinese visitors. The rise of Vietnam's travel sector is likely to be a talking point at next week's Skift Asia Forum. There are just a handful of tickets left for the event in Bangkok on May 14-15. Select an option below to secure your place: Get Your Tickets Skip the FOMO. Join the decision-makers live in Bangkok. 1 Person Solo Ticket $920 Buy Now 2-6 People Group Tickets From $820 Buy Now What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
