travel

New seats let U.S. airlines squeeze in more passengers

13 Comments
By JOSHUA FREED

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13 Comments
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I'm pretty sure I'll notice an inch difference since just taking the magazines out helps me. At 6'3" I'm usually already wedged in. Updated, ligher, more efficent seats are a great idea, but I'm totally against ANY reduction in pitch. If it weren't for crashworthy safety requirements, we'd by flying like a rush hour Odakyu train...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Good report on how US carriers are charging more for less. I don't use US carriers anymore and always carefully check any code shares are not using US carriers and crew.

US domestic carriers are abysmally poor, so I take a car wherever feasible.

The US used to be proud of its service levels and creature comforts, but these shareholder led corporates have destroyed much of that.

Hopefully this will provide a chance for companies that care about customers rather than shareholders.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Ryanair has a vision of standing on shorter segments, and are trying to get permission to "tether" passengers to poles for take off and landing. Creativity comes to a difficult issue!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I was on Swiss Air recently and my own two hard bumps with a cart were nothing compared to a full-on stop with the knee of a guy across the aisle. He was clearly in pain.

It really did seem like the attendants were intentionally whacking people with zero warning to get them to clear the aisles. Try holding your legs and feet inside 18 or 19 inches of sardine seat over a 12-hour flight!

Once again, happy I am just 5-10.

Now I have to figure out what to do with my shoulders.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

i don't know... 12 hours of hell for the convenience to fly over an ocean relatively quickly.. Airline companies aren't in the business to make customers super comfortable (enough that they are a repeat customer) but to maximize revenues and profits.

I don't like it anymore than the next guy and I think its completely sinister that they are now charging extra for so many "perks" that never used to be considered perks.. i.e exit row/bulkhead seats, aisle seats, pillows and blankets, baggage charge on domestic flights...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

To avoid bumping seats or passengers with carts, a track in the isle deck that the cart can attach to and ride on could help avoid accidentally bumping passengers.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Cattle class just got a whole lot worse... There wasn't enough leg room a year ago, and now this? One day, some passengers (probably myself included) are just gonna flip out mid-flight from all the pushing and prodding by the passengers behind them.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Just looking at those photos of the new interiors makes me claustrophobic. I don't think I could stand to fly anymore!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

malfupeteOct. 18, 2013 - 10:14PM JST i don't know... 12 hours of hell for the convenience to fly over an ocean relatively quickly.. Airline companies aren't in the business to make customers super comfortable (enough that they are a repeat customer) but to maximize revenues and profits.

Except that some airlines DO view this as their business, to make the flight comfortable and pleasant. I just booked on Cathay Pacific and didn't book with two cheaper airlines because the Cathay Pacific staff are far more pleasant, and they try to make the flight comfortable.

Vote with your wallet. If you want to be squeezed into piled up cages in the hold in a few years then continue to give business to the cheapest carrier, regardless of how shockingly they treat you. If you want to draw the line and say that you expect to be treated like a human being, then skip the cheapo airlines and go for one that treats you with respect.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

For people around 170cm tall or shorter, economy class is no big problem. For those taller, especially those over 180 cm tall, it's a big problem.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I don't care how U.S. airlines raves about their service, especially their business and first class. I've lost total respect for them and won't fly the major airlines. I'll just stick to Virgin America and Jet Blue. The rest of them suck big time. This seat expansion just makes things worse, even worse than cattle class. I just see anything for making the extra buck. Luckily, I don't live in the U.S., but even at that, I won't use them for international flights. I'd rather pay the extra few dollars to get better comfort, service, and even more attractive flight attendants, rather than those senior cows on U.S. carriers. These carriers should learn from the international airlines. Even their domestic service is great. Wise up, U.S. airlines and start thinking about people rather than profit.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Serrano Exactly. I'm 182 cm and not only is it uncomfortable for me, but it can be difficult for my unfortunate seat mates - either I'm climbing over them or they have to climb over me. There's no place to put my legs! Add to that the fact that passengers are getting bigger while the seats are getting smaller and you have the makings for a truly lousy travel experience.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@frungy - I agree and its no surprise that the carriers who actually care about their customers are the ones who are consistently rated the highest.

I would love to vote with my wallet but when you have a family of 4 trying to fly internationally (Canada - Japan) - I have to look for what my budget is capable of handling. Cheapo carriers know this and will gladly take you and 200 other people crammed into coach for the convenience of flying

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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