While you’re fighting for territory on the arm rest and suffering the kicks, nudges and otherwise annoying seat disturbances that come with flying commercial airlines, just think… it could be worse. How much worse? Like perching on a bicycle seat worse.

Airbus submitted a patent in Europe for the seats, with have small backrests but no tray tables or headrest, reports the Los Angeles Times. And legroom? Keep dreaming.

The pared down design is an attempt to cut down on bulk, which in turn allows for more sardined passengers and ostensibly, more money.

“In effect, to increase the number of cabin seats, the space allotted to each passenger must be reduced,” the patent application states.

Of course, just because aircraft manufacturer Airbus is seeking a patent for something that resembles a torture device, that doesn’t mean we’ll all be perched on hard, foldable seats anytime soon… right? After all, Airbus has said wider seats lead to happier customers.

“Many, if not most, of these concepts will never be developed, but in case the future of commercial aviation makes one of our patents relevant, our work is protected,” an Airbus spokeswoman explained. “Right now these patent filings are simply conceptual.”

*Thanks for the link, Thomas!

Airbus seeks patent for bicycle-like airline seat [Los Angeles Times]

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