As if flying coach class on an airline wasn’t uncomfortable enough (we wouldn’t know, being rich and all), a new prototype by Italian firm, Aviointeriors Group, uses a design similar to a saddle to fill aircraft to the brim with paychecks passengers. Passengers sit at an angle, with their weight taken on by their legs. It also allows seats to be overlapped. The design, named the “SkyRider”, allows just 23 inches of legroom, which is about seven inches less than the average seat’s space of 30 inches.

“The seat is like a saddle. Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in the saddle.”

The company added that the seat, which is in its final stage of testing, had been “designed and engineered to offer the possibility to even further reduce ticket prices while still maintaining sound profitability”.

Irish budget airline, Ryanair, is reportedly interested in the new seat design. This is the same airline that announced it would begin to allow passengers to stand during flights, if it were able to gain approval from the Irish Aviation Authority.

But the latest idea has already been dismissed by safety officials.

The European Aviation Safety Agency, in Cologne, Germany, said the plans were “highly unlikely” to meet stringent safety approval. “To our knowledge, no airlines or other operators have made an application for stand-up seats,” a spokesman said. “What they are proposing would be unprecedented and highly unlikely to be certified in the near future.” No approval has been granted.

Mr Menoud said if a carrier committed to the new design his company would apply for the proper certification.