Economy seat size

[straitman]

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?

To some people.

A few rows of an extra few inches leg room doesn't cost them a lot but extra width does. The studies show that people simply don't pay the extra money despite often having a lot to say about it.

Tortuga, I'm still interested to see your leg length versus upper body length as this makes a huge difference that many ignore.

 

[Quickstatus]

He drives an expensive car too

Maybe that's why he can afford an expensive car

 

[Quickstatus]

Tortuga, I'm still interested to see your leg length versus upper body length as this makes a huge difference that many ignore.

My upper body length issue is > than my leg length issue. I find when I sit in Y like how I'm supposed to when told by my mother the top of the seat does not extend past my shoulders. I have to slouch exacerbating the leg length issue

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My upper body length issue is > than my leg length issue. I find when I sit in Y like how I'm supposed to when told by my mother the top of the seat does not extend past my shoulders. I have to slouch exacerbating the leg length issue

Easily solved! Take the last row of the cabin that backs onto the rear bulkhead. The seat still reclines (on most major airlines, QF and CX included), then you have the wall to rest your head against. With a pillow it's even more comfortable.

Taking this seat tends to alleviate the sore neck and shoulders of sitting in a regular seat where your head isn't properly supported.

 

[Quickstatus]

Easily solved! Take the last row of the cabin that backs onto the rear bulkhead

Have tried that and yes it works but the motion sickness is exacerbated. I told by a pilot that the rear of an aircraft wobbles about the axis of travel more than other parts much like an arrow flying through the air

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Have tried that and yes it works but the motion sickness is exacerbated. I told by a pilot that the rear of an aircraft wobbles about the axis of travel more than other parts much like an arrow flying through the air

Probably yes - but on many aircraft there are multiple rear bulkheads in the economic cabin, some quite well forward in the aircraft.

 

[medhead]

Interesting gambit by middle seat person last night. One of the last to board. Says loudly to 4A and me, "Glad you're not fat. I'm fat and I hate it when there are 3 fatties altogether." 4B did over hang a bit, but not excessively, and were not tall. I'm thinking 'Why would you even take a middle seat, the flight wasn't that full'. I managed to say "I buy an extra seat when I'm feeling anti-social, only have to pay for the base fare and no taxes."

4B then started searching fares on the Qantas app (hard to miss the silver status that was showing). Maybe they might at least try a comfort seat, and not have to degrade themselves, in future.

 

[Quickstatus]

Probably yes - but on many aircraft there are multiple rear bulkheads in the economic cabin, some quite well forward in the aircraft.

All true and unfortunately, these seats have limited recline and Jimmy Riddle can often be heard.

Pros and Cons.

 

[Quickstatus]

What's the maximum waist size that will fit the usual seatbelt.

 

[straitman]

Have tried that and yes it works but the motion sickness is exacerbated. I told by a pilot that the rear of an aircraft wobbles about the axis of travel more than other parts much like an arrow flying through the air

This varies dramatically from a/c type to a/c type and is not a major problem these days.

The 'classic 747' was very prone to this but not the 744. Not a problem on the A380 or 738 I'm told. No idea on the A330 and 787 should be OK due to it's relatively new design.

 

[JohnK]

What's the maximum waist size that will fit the usual seatbelt.

I am a 46-48 and just about at the limit.

 

[Tortuga]

I also go for the row facing bulkhead - has its pros and cons. Easier to rest your head, No chance some annoying inconsiderate traveller is going to spend the whole flight smashing the 'touch screen'. Negatives are obviously you are a few feet away from the dunny and some of the smells that come from there are enough to wake up a Egyptian mummy.

BTW I also get terrible neck pain flying because the head support is lacking when extended.

 

[Tassieoptom]

What are everyones thoughts on economy seats.. I understand I will likely get the "Fly business if you don't like it". I am only 186cm but have very wide shoulders and every single time I end up in the aisle I get my shoulder smashed by the trolley. I also end up with half my shoulder in the person next to me's seat without being able to do anything. I dread to think how people taller than me feel who have to fly long haul in whY. I understand that those who are overweight in some circumstances are responsible for their size but in my case it is how I was born. Does anything think the industry is going to improve their service and offer up more space to those who are slightly taller or is the future of airline travel smaller seats with more people crammed in? I would love to fly business class believe me - but that is not an option in my current line of work. It has made flying non-pleasurable which is unfortunate because I used to love it as a kid.. Will we ever see an airline offer up a decent economy product or is the future of air travel grim? It may sound harsh but I can't believe we are in the year 2016 and still have to travel feeling like cattle getting herded onto a ship..

I found this wrap up on seat sizes that may be of interest to you. Hope it helps.
Which airlines offer the best economy classes from Australia?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I found this wrap up on seat sizes that may be of interest to you. Hope it helps.
Which airlines offer the best economy classes from Australia?

It's only a 'C+' rating IMO by skyscanner unfortunately

It doesn't really tell us much - while it gives 'ranges' of seating available for each airline, it doesn't say which cities or which flights. I'm not even sure SQ flies the 772 in to Australia (except maybe for the new CBR flight).

Air new zelanad at 35 inches? And united at 37?? Maybe for an exit row or united's economy extra. But if you find yourself on an Air New zeland A320 across the tasman you'll find as little as 30 inches in economy.

The 'review' also leaves out Thai - which has a generous 34 inches as standard on their 772s and 747s. Not to mention no Chinese airlines - also popular ex Australia (Air China has 32 inches for example).

 

[Milboo]

If you're anything above a size 12, there is a big watch out on the older plane Air NZ use as NZ105 for AKL - SYD (or did as recently as 8 weeks ago) when selecting Y seat.

The bulkhead seat is a narrow seat and then they have added the IFE controls so it narrows the seat even further.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

One of the many great features of Google Flights is clearly showing the seat pitch in the search results. I couldn't believe how many European flights (~4hr flight) only had 29". That and the fact that "business class" was exactly the same pitch too (just the middle seat blocked out). Makes me realise how lucky we are with VA/QF for domestic hops here.

 

[wandering_fred]

I think AA's use of the MCE seats in the USA has been a useful FF plus given the overall reduction of benefits. Also works into the process given that is appears company travel in the USA domestically is limited to Y. And given the flight times in the USA, I am usually happy with MCE (unless considering SC for QF qualification).

PEY is more of a medium/long haul issue. Given that this is a FF forum, I will point out that where you buy your ticket seriously affects the price (and price premiums) of the tickets. Australia is NOT one of the better places to purchase (cheap) tickets and PEY is no exception. The premiums for CX PEY ex USA (and even better exCanada) are much more reasonable. Of course, the normal really inexpensive locations work for PEY as well. But one must plan ahead to take advantage of that.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[straitman]

"If you’re seeking relief from sardine-can conditions on airline flights, don’t expect any help from Congress.

The Senate voted down an amendment Thursday that would have ended any further reductions of airplane seat sizes. The amendment failed on a 54-to-42 vote, with most Democrats supporting the amendment by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and most Republicans opposed."

Maybe people should have a look at this article from the Washington Post.

The US Senate has just voted against airplane legroom standards.

 

[Milefest]

"If you’re seeking relief from sardine-can conditions on airline flights, don’t expect any help from Congress.

The Senate voted down an amendment Thursday that would have ended any further reductions of airplane seat sizes. The amendment failed on a 54-to-42 vote, with most Democrats supporting the amendment by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and most Republicans opposed."

Maybe people should have a look at this article from the Washington Post.

The US Senate has just voted against airplane legroom standards.

The seats can't really get any smaller without it being a safety concern anyway, which travelers are already protected against.

If the amendment were to pass and airlines were required to increase their legroom standards, the costs would definitely be pushed onto the pax, for better or for worse..

 

[Tortuga]

'Market forces' allowed banks to cause an economic collapse that taxpayers are now paying for - as such we had the introduction of the Dodd-Frank act and more stringent lending criteria for consumers. Someone please tell me why the government should be getting involved with this when consumers were happy to take out massive loans and banks were happy to swap and pass on junk debt to their compatriots? What right does the government have to tell a person how much they are allowed to borrow - surely the banks should be trusted and market forces should be followed? If bank is happy to lend 95% to a low income earner at high interest rates what right does the Government have to enforce lending requirements?

Some may say this if off-topic but it is here to make a point that there should be limits to what big industry can offer to consumers.