An airline in China is mulling over plans that would allow passengers to stand during short flights and pay less than those who have seats.
Spring Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Shanghai, said having passengers stand up in flight would enable it to cram 40% more travelers into its Airbus A320 planes while cutting operating costs 20%.
The president of the airline, Wang Zhenghua, told a Chinese television station that the idea was getting some traction since it was also raised by Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang.
"He suggested that, for a lower price, passengers should be able to get on a plane like catching a bus, with no seat, no luggage consignment, no food, no water, but very convenient," Wang said.
The idea isn't so farfetched. Airbus, the European aircraft maker, has been studying the safety issues of standing passengers for years.
Passengers would be strapped to a bar-stool-like stand during takeoff and landing, a Spring Airlines spokesman said.
"It's just like bar stools. The safety belt is the most important thing. It will still be fastened around the waist," airline spokesman Zhang Wuan said, adding that Airbus had told the carrier that the proposal was safe.
"Once the government approves it formally, we'll try it."
Flights from LAX to Cuba resume
Nonstop flights between Los Angeles International Airport and Cuba resumed this week after a four-year hiatus.
The weekly flights on a chartered Boeing 737 jet operated by Continental Airlines began after President Obama eased restrictions on visits to the communist Caribbean nation. Bookings are being handled by Cuba Travel Services of Long Beach.
Round-trip fares start at $689, Cuba Travel Services said.
A visa is required and travel to Cuba is mostly restricted to Cuban Americans with family in Cuba. Others who can travel there include journalists, government officials, educators, sports teams and religious groups.
Cuba Travel said it would rely on business from the 100,000 Cuban Americans living in California -- 85,000 in the Los Angeles and Orange County area alone.
Alaska Airlines ranked highest
Alaska Airlines topped a customer satisfaction survey among traditional carriers while JetBlue Airways took top honors among low-cost carriers, J.D. Power and Associates said. The 2009 survey measured overall customer satisfaction based on cost and fees, flight crew, in-flight services and check-in, among other criteria.
