Is cargo the new economy? Saudi airline flyadeal seems to think so...

In what's likely to be a marketing stunt, the low-cost carrier has announced a new option for customers to fly in 'Cargo Passenger Class'

Female cabin crew pose in front of a flyadeal aircraft. AFP 

The low-cost carrier flyadeal, from Saudi Arabia, has introduced a new way to travel: its passengers can now be stowed away with the cargo. Or can they?

Via a tweet in Arabic and English from their official account, the airline company shared a link to its site, which explains how the scheme would work, starting from January 1, 2019.

We are always looking for new and innovative ways to lower airfares and our newest product, Cargo Passenger Class, offers the lowest fares you will find. Guaranteed.

For more information visit our website.#cargo_passenger_class

— طيران أديل (@flyadeal) December 16, 2018

“At one of our brainstorming sessions we came up with a radical idea that started with a simple fact: on average 46 per cent of the cargo space on our aircraft is not being used,” the company explains on its site.

It goes on to state height and weight requirements – not more than 90kgs and not taller than 180cm – as there is a limit to the weight allowed in a plane’s cargo bay. The larger and shorter among us will have to fly the normal way, it seems.

However, not all our buying this newly announced seating option. Alex Macheras, an aviation analyst, isn't convinced. On Twitter, he posted an official-looking video that explains the idea and added: "FlyADeal say passengers will be able to sit in unused spaces of cargo hold & should 'use bathroom before flight'

"Although they haven't admit it yet...this is a joke...for now!"

Latest: Saudi low-cost airline @FlyADeal announce “Cargo Passenger Class” on #A320 fleet 😳

• FlyADeal say passengers will be able to sit in unused spaces of cargo hold, & should ‘use bathroom before flight’

• Although they haven’t admit it yet...this is a joke...for now! 😬 pic.twitter.com/JHlj34vw1X

— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) December 16, 2018

It has not yet been clarified from flyadeal yet whether this is all just an elaborate publicity stunt or not. Although stringent safety procedures in the industry will surely stop it in its tracks.

UPDATE:

It's official – flyadeal has announced via Twitter that the launch of 'Cargo Passenger Class' was in fact a joke:

ما يحتاج درجة خزانة الأمتعة! مع #طيران_أديل #سافر_بأقل_الأسعار في كل الأوقات! 😀 ✈️#درجة_خزانة_الأمتعة

We don’t need Cargo Passenger Class! With #flyadeal you can #FlyforLess
anytime 😀 ✈️#cargo_passenger_class pic.twitter.com/pVDJPFyG8P

— طيران أديل (@flyadeal) December 16, 2018

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