Several major European low-cost airlines are set to introduce a new type of seating called "standing seats" or "Skyrider 2.0" starting in 2026, aiming to offer ultra-low fares on short-haul flights under two hours.

This innovative seating concept, designed by the Italian company Aviointeriors, features saddle-style seats that allow passengers to lean at a 45-degree angle, supported by their legs and core muscles rather than fully sitting down.

The Skyrider 2.0 seats resemble padded bicycle saddles anchored to the floor and ceiling, equipped with seatbelts for safety. Each seat reduces legroom by nearly 50% and weighs about half as much as a standard economy seat, helping airlines save on fuel consumption and maintenance costs while increasing cabin capacity by up to 20%.

 This space-saving design could significantly reduce turnaround times and allow airlines to offer tickets priced as low as €1–€5, making air travel more accessible to budget-conscious passengers.

While the seats have passed all required safety and crashworthiness tests, including rapid-exit drills, final regulatory approval is pending, and their use is expected to be limited to flights lasting less than 90 minutes to two hours.

Public reaction is mixed: some travelers welcome the prospect of cheaper flights, while others express concerns about comfort and dignity, comparing the experience to standing on a crowded train.

If successful in Europe, this seating innovation could influence airlines in other regions such as the US, South America, and Asia to adopt similar models, potentially redefining budget air travel worldwide.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has introduced a special summer promotion with reduced long-term parking fees across all terminals from June 10 to June 30, 2025. This move supports the airport’s peak travel season, during which it expects to accommodate over 250,000 passengers daily.

Travellers using Terminal 1 Car Park B, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 can take advantage of the following discounted long-stay parking rates:

• Dh100 for 3 days
• Dh200 for 7 days
• Dh300 for 14 days

These reduced rates offer significant savings compared to standard tariffs, providing better value for UAE residents and visitors embarking on extended trips.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to improve passenger flow and reduce congestion at terminal drop-off points. Dubai Airports encourages travellers to use official parking facilities instead of curbside drop-offs to ease traffic at terminal entrances. Visitors picking up arriving guests are also advised to utilize designated car parks or valet services, which are included in the summer discount offer.

Additionally, DXB offers digital navigation tools such as Express Maps, a QR code-based wayfinding system that helps passengers locate gates, shops, and amenities quickly. Passengers are reminded to plan their arrival times carefully, with Emirates flyers benefiting from early check-in options and other airlines recommending arrivals no earlier than three hours before departure.

This limited-time parking offer provides a convenient and cost-effective solution for travellers during one of the busiest periods at Dubai International Airport.

Air New Zealand is set to launch its most significant long-haul network expansion in years, adding over 34,000 seats to North America and increasing premium seat availability by 20,500 across its global routes from October 2025 to March 2026.

More Flights, More Comfort: North America in Focus
The airline will operate 8% more seats to North America than last year, with premium seating on these routes growing by 15%. Key gateways – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and Vancouver  will see increased capacity and frequency from Auckland Airport.

• Auckland–Los Angeles (AKL–LAX): Up to 12 weekly flights, 24,000 extra seats (+16%), including 6,800 more premium seats.

• Auckland–Houston (AKL–IAH): Returns with 4,500 additional seats between January and March.

• Auckland–Vancouver (AKL–YVR): Up to seven weekly flights, Boeing 777-300ER on peak routes, 25% more premium seats.

• Auckland–San Francisco (AKL–SFO): Daily flights through mid-February, then six per week in March, with 1,800 more seats and a 21% jump in premium offerings.

Premium Experience Gets a Lift To meet rising demand for comfort, Air New Zealand will introduce up to seven newly retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliners by year-end, featuring upgraded interiors and enhanced passenger amenities. The move comes as international travel rebounds and premium cabins see strong demand.

Asia Network Also Expands
The airline is also boosting premium capacity on major Asian routes:

• Auckland–Taipei (AKL–TPE): Four weekly flights (up from three), 11,800 more seats (+27%).
• Auckland–Bali (AKL–DPS): 49% increase in premium seats.
• Auckland–Hong Kong (AKL–HKG): 3,700 more premium seats (+28%).
• Auckland–Shanghai (KL–PVG): 35% increase in premium seating.

Strategic Response to Strong Demand
Jeremy O’Brien, Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted that both business and leisure travel demand remain robust. “We’re responding with more premium seats and upgraded Dreamliners to deliver a superior travel experience on our most popular routes,” he said.

The refreshed Dreamliners will debut progressively across the network, with a focus on improved comfort and service, particularly in Business Premier and Premium Economy cabins.

Air New Zealand’s expansion underscores its commitment to premium travel and positions the airline to capture growing international demand through 2026.

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has secured Air New Zealand as its latest international carrier, with direct flights to Auckland set to commence in mid-2027. This new service will begin roughly six months after the airport’s grand opening at the end of 2026.

The Auckland–WSI route will receive partial funding from the New South Wales government’s $16 million Take-Off Fund, aimed at boosting international connectivity for the region.

“This new connection between Auckland and Western Sydney will open up a pathway between two of the fastest growing regions on either side of the Tasman,” said Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran. “For customers, it’s about getting them to where they want to go more conveniently. For us, it’s another step in strengthening the ties between New Zealand and Australia.”

Air New Zealand joins Singapore Airlines as the second overseas carrier to commit to WSI. On the domestic front, Qantas and Jetstar have already signed on, with QantasLink set to launch operations using Embraer E190 regional jets and possible future deployment of the Airbus A220.

Qantas plans to base five aircraft at WSI, while Jetstar will operate ten Airbus A320 family jets. Together, they anticipate carrying four million passengers on 25,000 flights annually.

While specific domestic routes are yet to be confirmed, flights to Melbourne and Brisbane are expected to be among the first, offering significant time savings for Western Sydney residents—potentially reclaiming up to two hours on same-day trips.

WSI CEO Simon Hickey has been actively courting international airlines, leveraging the airport’s prime location 44km west of Sydney’s CBD and within an hour’s travel for three million people, making it Australia’s third largest catchment area.

“You’ve got Sydney, then Melbourne, and then Western Sydney,” Hickey said, highlighting the region’s rapid growth, youthful population, and strong appetite for travel.

Vietnam Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific are also rumored to be early entrants, reflecting the diverse demographics of the airport’s catchment. The airport’s curfew-free status is expected to attract Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, as well as Turkish Airlines, which will be permitted up to 35 weekly flights between Australia and Istanbul by late 2025.

Despite these opportunities, WSI’s designation as a ‘capital city’ airport shared with Sydney Kingsford Smith may limit some international airlines from expanding their Sydney operations due to regulatory restrictions on flight numbers.

Hickey remains optimistic, noting the strong interest from airlines, particularly in WSI’s 24-hour operational capability, which offers unprecedented scheduling flexibility for global carriers.

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has secured Air New Zealand as its latest international carrier, with direct flights to Auckland set to commence in mid-2027. This new service will begin roughly six months after the airport’s grand opening at the end of 2026.

The Auckland–WSI route will receive partial funding from the New South Wales government’s $16 million Take-Off Fund, aimed at boosting international connectivity for the region.

“This new connection between Auckland and Western Sydney will open up a pathway between two of the fastest growing regions on either side of the Tasman,” said Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran. “For customers, it’s about getting them to where they want to go more conveniently. For us, it’s another step in strengthening the ties between New Zealand and Australia.”

Air New Zealand joins Singapore Airlines as the second overseas carrier to commit to WSI. On the domestic front, Qantas and Jetstar have already signed on, with QantasLink set to launch operations using Embraer E190 regional jets and possible future deployment of the Airbus A220.

Qantas plans to base five aircraft at WSI, while Jetstar will operate ten Airbus A320 family jets. Together, they anticipate carrying four million passengers on 25,000 flights annually.

While specific domestic routes are yet to be confirmed, flights to Melbourne and Brisbane are expected to be among the first, offering significant time savings for Western Sydney residents—potentially reclaiming up to two hours on same-day trips.

WSI CEO Simon Hickey has been actively courting international airlines, leveraging the airport’s prime location 44km west of Sydney’s CBD and within an hour’s travel for three million people, making it Australia’s third largest catchment area.

“You’ve got Sydney, then Melbourne, and then Western Sydney,” Hickey said, highlighting the region’s rapid growth, youthful population, and strong appetite for travel.

Vietnam Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific are also rumored to be early entrants, reflecting the diverse demographics of the airport’s catchment. The airport’s curfew-free status is expected to attract Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, as well as Turkish Airlines, which will be permitted up to 35 weekly flights between Australia and Istanbul by late 2025.

Despite these opportunities, WSI’s designation as a ‘capital city’ airport shared with Sydney Kingsford Smith may limit some international airlines from expanding their Sydney operations due to regulatory restrictions on flight numbers.

Hickey remains optimistic, noting the strong interest from airlines, particularly in WSI’s 24-hour operational capability, which offers unprecedented scheduling flexibility for global carriers.

Malaysia-based low-cost carrier AirAsia is in advanced negotiations to order at least 100 Airbus jets at the upcoming Paris Airshow, a move expected to introduce the planemaker’s smallest aircraft, the A220, to its fleet for the first time. This potential order marks a significant shift for AirAsia, which currently operates an all-Airbus fleet composed mainly of larger A320 and A321 models and has not placed a new order since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The A220, known for its fuel efficiency and suitability for short- to medium-haul regional routes, seats between 100 and 160 passengers depending on the variant, making it smaller than any aircraft currently in AirAsia’s lineup. This addition aligns with AirAsia’s strategy to expand and strengthen its regional network across Asia, targeting smaller destinations that require more versatile aircraft.

AirAsia has faced financial challenges in recent years, including being classified as financially distressed in 2022 due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. The airline has been restructuring its order book and aims to exit this status by mid-2025. The forthcoming order would signal renewed confidence in AirAsia’s recovery and growth prospects.

Additionally, AirAsia’s parent company, Capital A, plans to consolidate its aviation businesses by merging the short-haul AirAsia operations with its long-haul unit, AirAsia X, under a single brand, further streamlining its operations.

The order, expected to be announced at the Paris Airshow from June 16 to 22, 2025, is also notable for the competitive context, as AirAsia was reportedly considering Embraer’s E2 jets alongside the A220, with financing terms playing a key role in the final decision.

In summary, AirAsia’s anticipated order of at least 100 Airbus A220 jets represents a strategic fleet diversification towards smaller, more efficient aircraft to enhance regional connectivity, marking a pivotal step in its post-pandemic recovery and growth strategy