Great idea. Standing up for a few hours on a plane is no different to waiting outside a box office for tickets or standing at a concert. But only if there is such a reduction in price would it be successful. Harry Samuels, Croydon

The "sardine-stacking" idea is excellent - there's nothing like the recumbent posture for long-haul comfort. It would be no worse than the Tokyo "capsule hotels". Of course, the safety people would grumble about crash survivability of horizontal passengers. But if airlines took any notice of them, we'd already have rearward-facing seats. We don't, only because passengers prefer to face in the direction of travel. Max Bishop, Lausanne, Switzerland

I disagree entirely with the proposals; they may certainly be feasible for short haul flights for up to one hour, but for longer flights, a large number of standing passengers without designated seats loitering up and down the aisles will cause mayhem on flights and distress to other passengers. Also, I do not see how cramming more passengers on flights to help the environment will do exactly that, given the fact that heavier aircraft will require more fuel to complete the journey, not to mention the fact that planes will conceivable have to be redesigned and made bigger to accommodate this latest gimmick. Simply put, heavier aircraft will not help the environment so I really do not see how this argument stands. All I see it doing is irritating those who have paid more for seats to be irritated by those who do not. James Yew, London

All very well for short flights where the journey is no longer than one hour, although I don't think it would be very safe, but imagine travelling to Australia! Christine Rule, Orpington

Woah, slow down there. Think back how expensive it used to be to fly, vs now. I understand it's creaping back up because of fuel but without "cattle class", sitting or standing, many people would not be able to afford to fly at all. Business payers have always enabled recreational flyers to afford the less comfortable seats. Quite frankly I would rather stand in a secure upright position on a flight up to about one and a half hours, which many of my business trips in the US are, than to be cramped with my knees jammed against the seat in front. If my company is prepared to spend a little more on an upgraded standard then fine, but why not make the option available? I see the bigger problem being the logistics of how to incorporate standing "seats" but maintaining flexiblity of airline stock for multiple purpose use. Now, if the airlines can provide a normal seat, that does not jam my knees, or make my backside numb after 15 minutes at a reasonable price then of course I would rather have that. At the end of the day, market experience will determine if it's a viable option; try it and if it works it works. Remember that most of the airlines in the world who are turning a profit are the no-frills basic service lines and not the big guys with the expensive first class services. That has to tell us something about acceptable standards at a cost point. Keith Manton, Houston, Texas

I think this is a terrific idea. Anything that reduces the pollution of our skies and potentially fatal stacking of planes has surely got to be positive. However, far better to scrap first class. With its beds and bars it is a grotesque waste of cabin space and resources. Name and address withheld

A most welcome development - if it ever takes off. There are obvious practical points to be taken into consideration. For example, the configuration of the standing spaces or "perch" seats. Would they give one a better porthole view - or could portholes be made a sensible size to enable standees to enjoy the view out (surely, apart from the cheap thrills of taking off and landing, the only entertaining aspect of travel aboard a large tin bird). On short flights the hectoring and pestering of airline staff continually circulating with refreshments and scratch cards never would be missed. We spend too much of our lives on our bums. I enjoy eating light meals (breakfast and lunch) in a vertical position. It aids the digestion. I prefer to stand in a corridor or vestibule when travelling by train (often a better view). And on the lamentably rare occasions that I travel by sea nowadays I tend to spend most of my time when not sleeping or eating stood on deck. Mike Bent, Oviedo, Spain

Ah yes, the race to the bottom. The thing is, a large percentage of airfares are payed by companies. The staff aren't given any choice. It's go cheap, or go and don't come back. I cant wait. Bradley Hardacre, Buston

Having been a commuter for the past 30 years using the London Underground and the mainline services, I cannot see any difference in standing on a flight for up to 30 minutes. At least we will be guaranteed standing space. Internal flights within Russia had standing passengers on the old airline, Aeroflot. Vinay Mehra, Purley

Economy seats are already in cattle class in all but name. Sometimes I need to be on the US West coast, sometimes on the East coast. I will re-route myself in order to avoid a US-owned airline. Avoiding the aggravation is more than worth the expense. Kwanten Luc, Shanghai

As someone who flies long distance out of necessity all too frequently and has witnessed the gradual degrading of "economy" class travel for 30+ years, I am seriously considering going by sea for my next transatlantic trip. Enough said? Brian Naylor, Farnham

Cattle class air travel? Maybe it will prove to be a good idea and solve the deep vein thrombosis syndrome. Anita Watts, Brussels

Well that's going to be rather sporting during moments of turbulence isn't it? Since standing up on the train as it lurches and bounces can be quite stressful enough, the idea of doing the same on an aircraft does not appeal. Therefore, I would have to say no. Sarah Marquis, London

Excellent idea - but why not stack the passengers on shelves head to toe? After all, it works for sardines. Phil Linehan, Mexico City

What an absolutely ghastly idea. It just shows how low you can crawl in contempt for the passengers who provide the airlines' profits. Why not strip them naked to lighten up the aircraft too? They could always buy what they need from little stands at the airport on arrival. Considering how expensive the taxes are even before you pay for the ticket, you'd have to pay passengers to take up such an uncomfortable sardine class. Sarah Hague, Montpellier, France

Never in a million years. Flying is hard enough on the body. I have worked in the travel industry for 20 years and this has got to be the most lame-brained scheme I've heard in ages. Airlines need to wake up to the fact that it costs X amount to transport someone from point A to point B. They need to stop trying to undercut the cost of travel to the detriment of their employees and the travelling public. Margaret Scott, Richmond, USA

April 1 was 25 days ago. Jonathan Wilton, Singapore

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