China's Spring Airlines, in an effort to handle a growing number of passengers, is considering selling standing-room tickets. The private airline operates just 13 planes (not nearly enough to cope with growing demand) so, they've proposed bar-stool-type seating that still requires passengers to wear a seatbelt. Standing passengers would be propped against a padded backboard, held in place with a harness – similar to stand-up seats on a roller coaster. 

The standing-room jet could accommodate 40% more passengers compared to a traditional plane. It could also help airlines cut 20% of their costs, while lowering airfares for consumers.

The airline would need government backing to go ahead with the plans. However, the airplane manufacturer, Airbus has told Spring Airlines that the proposals were safe.  In fact, according to an article in The New York Times, Airbus "researched that idea in 2003" and had been "quietly pitching the standing-room-only option to Asian carriers" -.but then "abandoned it."

Hmm… Color me skeptical. I like roller coasters as much as the next person – but not at 30,000 feet.

Here's some more travel news you can use:

*  The New York Times published the miraculous, yet sad, story of Bahia Bakari, the 14 year-old girl who survived the Yemenia Airlines flight that went down in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday.  Meanwhile, a group of angry Comorans Wednesday blocked thetake-off of one of the carrier's aircraft from Charles de GaulleAirport in Paris.  The demonstrators charged that the airline used unsafe planes on the route to the Comoros Islands, the destination of the Airbus A310 carrying 153 people.

*  Cuba Travel Services Inc., using a Continental Airlines plane, today kicks off non-stop flights from LAX to Havana.  It'll be the first Cuban flight since July 2004, when the Bush administration tightened rules governing travel to Cuba.  Since 1962, travel from the U.S. to Cuba has been banned, but Cuban Americans have been allowed to visit family under various policies.  Obama repealed the 2004 travel restrictions in April. The 5-hour flight will run every Tuesday at 11 a.m. and can accommodate 150 people.

*  Hundreds of passengers lined up today outside the United Airlinesterminal at O'Hare International Airport after a computer outagedelayed incoming and outgoing flights.  Ya know, there's nothing like digital fireworks at the airport to get the holiday weekend off on the right foot.