Six passengers on an overcrowded jet run by Russia's Tatarstan Airlines stood for most a five-hour fligh until turbulence forced them to a seated position—in the aisles. The Boeing 737 jet plane, with a normal maximum capacity of 142 passengers, performed its routine flight from Antalya to Ekaterinburg, Russia on September 24—however the flight included 148 people on board, six more people than available seats.
"When the [Boeing 737] plane [bound for Ekaterinburg ] flew through turbulence, they [standing passengers without seats] went from standing to sitting in the aisle where naturally they had no safety belts," a Tatarstan Airlines passenger reported.
That also meant that standing passengers had no oxygen masks or life vests for safety—yet Tatarstan Airlines defends its position. "People had a choice," is the offered ‘defense’ by Evgenia Fedorova, manager of the tour responsible for booking passengers onto the overcrowded Tatarstan Airlines Russian flight. Fedorova says passengers had the option "to fly on that plane standing up [without a seat], or wait seven hours for another plane. All the tourists decided to fly back despite uncomfortable conditions."
“Uncomfortable” is not an interchangeable term for “unsafe”—an investigation is underway. 'We cannot deny this happened to our customers," a Tatarstan Airlines airline official says, "but the company will not share any details until everything is clarified. Our own investigation of this accident is about to begin."
Angry Tatarstan Airlines passengers have reportedly demanded $4,700 in compensation however the tour company has offered less than 1/24 the amount requested.
No word on whether the tour company is willing to throw in another seatless flight as part of the compensation deal to passengers.
Perhaps Tatarstan should have waited a bit for standing room only. Ryanair wants to squeeze in the idea of selling standing seats to passengers at a discounted rate--Tatarstan Airline was apparently simply ahead of its time.