Economy seat size

[downgraded]

Yet when did an airline try the pitch ( sorry, pun intended) "pay a little extra for our little extra space". I guess they do with exit rows but as per the OP issue, width is as important a "little extra" as length, but it is not a discriminator airlines offer unless they start advertising "we don't fly 787s or 777s etc" - is that partly why an a380s apparently still commands a premium - some surety compared to other or unspecified planes?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's a pretty significant increase. That number doesn't include increased seat pitch either, along with the millions it will cost to refit every plane.

I'm not sure many people's loyalty and comfort are worth that much.

However - the airline would probably find themselves full on every flight as people would prefer the extra width. No more empty seats on off peak flights for example (or fewer of them).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't believe any fare class subsidises another class of travel.

Subsidise? Maybe not specifically... but certainly economy class is probably almost redundant. Years ago my mom was on a PER-MEL flights - load went out with 8F and about 10Y on a 737 (we commented on the light load to the gate agent). The agent claimed the flight was breaking even on the F class pax. Some airlines offer very small Y class cabins choosing to devote almost all the plane to premium classes (think JL and NH). It's obviously where the money is, not coach.

 

[downgraded]

Would it? What proportion of flights are full? Based on published load factors, how many flights would really lose passengers if there were less filled seats on the plane?

 

[medhead]

Subsidise? Maybe not specifically... but certainly economy class is probably almost redundant. Years ago my mom was on a PER-MEL flights - load went out with 8F and about 10Y on a 737 (we commented on the light load to the gate agent). The agent claimed the flight was breaking even on the F class pax. Some airlines offer very small Y class cabins choosing to devote almost all the plane to premium classes (think JL and NH). It's obviously where the money is, not coach.

And if they had full Y and no F then they'd also be breaking even. All that matters is getting the cash not where it comes from. Especially when Y is potentially bringing in double the cash.

Since you said F and not J, then I'll assume this was a very long time ago when the Y fares were much higher. Probably getting up towards the current J fare.

 

[Quickstatus]

The third seat allocation was on the boarding pass of my +1.

good to know the extra seat was on a boarding pass. Was the extra seat addition printed on by the computer or handwritten by agent?

must do it again sometime

 

[sinophile888]

good to know the extra seat was on a boarding pass. Was the extra seat addition printed on by the computer or handwritten by agent?

The extra seat was printed on my husband's boarding pass as Mr XTRA Surname.

 

[JohnK]

Would it? What proportion of flights are full? Based on published load factors, how many flights would really lose passengers if there were less filled seats on the plane?

If loads are ~70%-80% one would assume there aren't many flights that are full.

 

[DaveB]

I am surprised how each Y passengers personal space is allowed to be encroached by others whether you like it or not. Pullout barriers between seats would not be too difficult to design and implement preventing any unwelcome invasion of your seat space. Single female passengers would love it, the large businessman less so.

 

[trooper]

Didnt American try "More room in Coach" (removing 12 to 16 seats per a/c and increasing pitch throughout Y) and have to give it up because the relatively small premium charged sent pax to other airlines?
Most pax care ONLY about price...that is very clear indeed.

So while folks HERE may be prepared to pay 10% or 16% more...AA's experience shows most people are NOT.

They went to Main Cabin Extra...more legroom for SOME seats at the front of the Y cabin...charged for by length of flight....just like most other US airlines...

 

[straitman]

Didnt American try "More room in Coach" and have to give it up because the relatively small premium charged sent pax to other airlines?
Most pax care ONLY about price...that is very clear indeed.

So while folks HERE may be prepared to pay 10% or 16% more...AA's experience shows most people are NOT.

True story.

Many people are a lot more vocal about spending money than actually doing it.

 

[JohnK]

True story.

Many people are a lot more vocal about spending money than actually doing it.

True. Premium eceonomy was supposed to achieve the same thing but is ridiculously priced.

 

[marki]

True. Premium eceonomy was supposed to achieve the same thing but is ridiculously priced.

The say business class service in economy seats. Useless

 

[Milefest]

Maybe running the numbers on how many people actually purchase exit row seats will provide some insight.

 

[JohnK]

The say business class service in economy seats. Useless

Not wrong. I can do without the business class service or the claustrophobia when the seat in front reclines.

The other day in economy MNL-SYD I would say the meal I had was as good if not better than any meal I have ever had on any flight in any class.

 

[Tortuga]

Didnt American try "More room in Coach" (removing 12 to 16 seats per a/c and increasing pitch throughout Y) and have to give it up because the relatively small premium charged sent pax to other airlines?
Most pax care ONLY about price...that is very clear indeed.

So while folks HERE may be prepared to pay 10% or 16% more...AA's experience shows most people are NOT.

They went to Main Cabin Extra...more legroom for SOME seats at the front of the Y cabin...charged for by length of flight....just like most other US airlines...

Width is just as important as length (no pun intended). Looks like AA only offered 6 inches in extra leg room - the seats were still the same as normal economy?

 

[juddles]

Width is just as important as length (no pun intended). Looks like AA only offered 6 inches in extra leg room - the seats were still the same as normal economy?

Same seat but with 6 inches extra room is a huge difference - it is not just "leg-room" but a whole "feel".

Don't some airlines now have an aisle seat that is two inches or so wider also?

 

[mannej]

Width is just as important as length (no pun intended). Looks like AA only offered 6 inches in extra leg room - the seats were still the same as normal economy?

I think you may find the extra 6 inches or so is just about the difference between Y and J seats on some aircraft (The 332 work station is an example of this).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Width is just as important as length (no pun intended). Looks like AA only offered 6 inches in extra leg room - the seats were still the same as normal economy?

MRTC was supposed to offer a minimum 34 inch pitch - so about 3 inches extra, but maybe some seats had a tiny bit more (for example exits). Their 777s for example certainly weren't in the 36' range. The seat was standard economy, but back then 777s were 9 across, none of this 10 across rubbish some passengers will accept today. They were comfortable enough to make transatlantic day time flight.

 

[Quickstatus]

but back then 777s were 9 across, none of this 10 across rubbish some passengers will accept today. They were comfortable enough to make transatlantic day time flight.

Many passengers who fly to 10abreast 777 would not even know/care that their cabin is 10abreast.

I have had conversations with a work associate who say he had a great deal with ANZ transpacific on their 777. When I tell them about the 10 abreast he could not care less.

He drives an expensive car too