Russian Airline Plans to Use ‘Stand up’ Seats

A woman uses her laptop on a flight out of John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York, US, May 26, 2017. Picture taken May 26, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
A woman uses her laptop on a flight out of John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York, US, May 26, 2017. Picture taken May 26, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
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Russian Airline Plans to Use ‘Stand up’ Seats

A woman uses her laptop on a flight out of John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York, US, May 26, 2017. Picture taken May 26, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
A woman uses her laptop on a flight out of John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York, US, May 26, 2017. Picture taken May 26, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Pobeda, a Russian carrier, plans to take advantage of the “stand up travel” innovation, aiming to boost its revenues by increasing the number of passengers on its flights.

Russian media outlets reported that as part of this commercial view, the Aeroflot-owned Pobeda Airlines, plans to inaugurate a special section on its flights, in which the regular seats will be replaced with new “stand up” seats. But, those seats still have to acquire the necessary official approvals, and meet all the security and safety conditions. Commenting on the news, the company said it is studying several suggestions to increase the number of its cheap tickets.

The “Stand up seats” idea has been created by the Italian Aviointeriors, specialized in designing and manufacturing airplane seats. It is hoped that the new seats will allow more space on flights - up to 20 percent on board.

The seat, which is placed on a column, is composed of a thin cushion designed to fit the human body's structure while standing, allowing it to lean and reduce body weight pressure on the spine. In the middle, the “stand up seat” includes a part that resembles a horse saddle, designed to allow the passenger to stand in a "half-seated" position, that also help reduce the body weight’s pressure on the spine.

Engineers provided the seat with side arms, like those found in regular seats.

The US Civil Aviation Authority has rejected the idea of ​​"standup" seats, but airlines are trying to get approvals to use this type of seats on domestic short flights to increase the number of passengers, and thus, enjoy profit growth.



Turki Alalshikh Honored as ‘Most Influential Personality of the Decade’ at MENA Effie Awards

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Turki Alalshikh Honored as ‘Most Influential Personality of the Decade’ at MENA Effie Awards

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In a landmark global achievement, Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, was named the “Most Influential Personality of the Decade” during the MENA Effie Awards ceremony.

Theprestigious honor recognizes his transformative contributions to the Kingdom’s entertainment sector and his pivotal role in its development and international prominence.

The MENA Effie Awards, renowned for celebrating impact and creativity across the Middle East and North Africa, distinguishes individuals whose efforts have delivered exceptional and lasting contributions over the past decade.

Alalshikh’s recognition underscores his status as one of the most influential figures in global entertainment and reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing impact on the international cultural and entertainment landscape.

Under his leadership, the General Entertainment Authority has played a key role in enhancing the quality of life in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. His efforts have established a world-class entertainment ecosystem, bolstering the national economy and fostering sustainable development.

Since the launch of Riyadh Season 2024 in October, spearheaded by Alalshikh, the event has attracted unprecedented global attention. In less than a month, approximately 6 million visitors attended, showcasing the event’s extraordinary appeal to both local and international audiences.

The season features thousands of events, ranging from concerts and art exhibitions to theater performances and family-friendly activities. Riyadh Season 2024 includes five main zones—Boulevard World, Kingdom Arena, Boulevard City, The Venue, and Al-Suwaidi Park—each offering a distinctive and immersive experience.

During its opening week, the season set a record with 2 million visitors, highlighting the public’s enthusiasm for this eagerly awaited event.