ECONOMY-CLASS cabins may be about to resemble sardine tins rather than cattle trucks in the near future.

That’s because an Italian seat manufacturer has unveiled seating that’s so upright passengers using it will practically be standing up.

Should any carriers install them, they will be able to cram in more passengers than ever before, in a formation that’s known in the industry as “ultra-high density.”

The horse-saddle-style seating is an improved version of a concept it tried — and failed — to launch in 2010.

Skyrider 2.0 has more padding than the previous version and firmer mountings, with poles connecting each row to the ceiling and floor, instead of the frame just being fitted to a rail.

Aviointeriors claims that its design will enable carriers to fit 20 percent more people into a cabin, as legroom will be diminished.

Its claim is that this seating represents “the new frontier of low-cost tickets and passenger experience.” Whether that’s true, of course, remains to be seen.

It’s not known whether any airlines have bought the seating yet. (SD-Agencies)