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Pushing the limit - Airbus will pack in 11 passengers per row.
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Aircraft trends we're watching:
Knee-crushing continues, or as the airlines call it- 'cost savings'
Who really wins?
It's hard to argue that in economy-class , the majority of the seats have not become far too small.
Given the lack of competition and mergers that have created the US airline marketplace, and the known health risks of sardine-esque leg room, there needs to be a simple, minimum standard. Of what? At least 34 inches of seat pitch, and 18 inches of width, says FlyersRights.
Last summer, Airbus floated a trial balloon of an 11 seats abreast economy class, when 10 abreast is considered high-density. The public backlash was almost universally negative.
But incredibly, Airbus said they were 'very satisfied' with their 3-5-3 economy class cabin design, which will meet the needs of a new breed of customer.
At some point in time safety trumps capitalism, and that's where the government steps in.
In August, FlyersRights filed a formal Petition for Rule-making with the FAA to set standards guaranteeing each passenger adequate leg, hip, and shoulder room.
Of course, the airlines contend that minimum seat standards will lead to higher prices and fewer choices. But quite the opposite, such standards will level the playing field between airlines and insure that the price of an economy class airline seat on one airline is truly comparable to that of another airline.
It should also be remembered that there is no wizardry in the supposedly lower fares (and higher fees) charged by airlines who have reduced legroom and seat sizes. Passengers still pay the price for smaller seats one way or the other, if not in cash, then in smashed knees, broken laptops, increased respiratory illness, increased risk of DVT, air rage, diverted flights, etc.
No middle ground.
This is clearly a situation where the market has failed. Consumers desperately want a choice between crammed economy class and super expensive first class. There is little middle ground for seat width, and people keep getting bigger. It's not like most consumer products where you get a range of options to suit your budget.
The airline industry's argument that consumers already have a choice is laughable. Business and First Class are almost completely cost prohibitive for the average leisure traveler, so r
egulation is needed to ensure minimum comfort.
This reduction of passenger space by airlines to generate higher profits has created a critical situation. It's not only pushing the limits of safety and comfort, but health too. As we've written about many times, being confined in a small seat for several hours can be life-threatening .
We urge readers to insist the FAA act now to stop the trend to smaller seats and jam-packed planes, you can have a say in what those standards will be.
'Tombstone mentality' is a mindset
of ignoring design defects until people have died.
Looking at the struggle passengers have now in getting in and out of their seats makes one wonder how they will escape in an emergency. One day, will we find that they cannot. Then, after hundreds of people have died, might there be a change.
No, we're not advocating a nanny state. But government must insist that airlines offer reasonable seating and traveling conditions.
It is time for governments to stand up to the airlines in the name of their people. This year more than
3.6 billion air journeys will be made. That's almost
half the world.
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There is a great effort made by this country's elites to keep people complacent and out of touch - the public must be kept in line. To separate people from one another, because they are disruptive when together.
They get ideas. They start to do things...
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