It's been really, really annoying that airlines are now shrinking the pitch between seats. As explained in this illustration from Seat Guru, the seat pitch is the space between a point on one seat and the same point on the seat in front of it.
We refused to buy the Economy Plus on United Airlines for the longest time because it started with an additional $99 + for longer flights.
Well... I finally gave up and told Art it was absolutely ridiculous to have to squeeze into seats in Economy and then struggle to get up if you have to go to the bathroom. I've had my hair pulled by the person in back who had to grab on to the back of my seat so they could get up. And if the person in front of you decides to lean back... well... forget it!
For the last two or three flights, we bought the Economy Plus upgrade and I swear I wondered if it was a Plus at all on our last flight from Maryland because it sure still felt tight. On top of that, you had to share an underseat storage space with the person next to you if you were in the middle seats.
According to MarketWatch website:
We're just all going to have to suffer through the flying times and if you live in Hawaii and your kids and grandkids are on the mainland... sigh... what can you do?
POSTSCRIPT: I've heard that congress is trying to get the FAA to set minimum seat size/pitch. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
For the last two or three flights, we bought the Economy Plus upgrade and I swear I wondered if it was a Plus at all on our last flight from Maryland because it sure still felt tight. On top of that, you had to share an underseat storage space with the person next to you if you were in the middle seats.
According to MarketWatch website:
“The FAA has no evidence showing that current seat dimensions hamper the speed of passenger evacuation, or that increased passenger size creates an evacuation issue,” an FAA spokesman told MarketWatch. “During an evacuation, passengers stand up in just a few seconds, which is less time than it takes for emergency exits to begin functioning and for the line that begins forming in the aisle to clear.”So no, don't expect the FAA to do anything.
We're just all going to have to suffer through the flying times and if you live in Hawaii and your kids and grandkids are on the mainland... sigh... what can you do?
POSTSCRIPT: I've heard that congress is trying to get the FAA to set minimum seat size/pitch. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
We are the same way, we have family in England so long flights for us crammed into tiny seats. Have to grit my teeth and say, "Anything for England".☺
ReplyDeleteI have stopped flying unless I simply must, except for one trip every winter to Florida to visit my sister. And I do pay the extra for economy plus, such as it is. It's terrible! :-(
ReplyDeleteeconomy plus sounds good.
ReplyDeleteWe flew WoW Air when we went to Scotland last year. Never again. We were incredibly squeezed and Dan is 6'3" so it was especially hard on him. This past spring we flew Lufthansa and it was better. On the return trip we opted for paying extra for the bulk head seats and that worked great.
ReplyDeleteI have very long legs. My knees hit the back of the seat in front of me. We did first class on Delta to Florida last time, and it was heaven and the price ended up the same on a Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteWe flew United to DC, never had a problem with legroom, and this was a small plane.
ReplyDeleteI hear your frustration, but as a “frequent flyer” I suggest that you check out the seat/leg measurements that Seat Guru provides. Not all seat pitches are the same. We have found that flying on Tuesdays also seems to help with the crowdedness on our flights from the US to The Netherlands. We almost always book one window seat and one aisle seat. Hopefully the middle seat remains free. Success👍🏻Linda@Wetcreek Blog
ReplyDeleteSo glad I am afraid to fly. Sounds like even a runt like me would not be happy.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big person . I just feel very uncomfortable and uneasy with the small seats. You have to be very agile to get in and out of the seats.
ReplyDeleteIt seems airlines keep charging more and you get less and less for the $. I think it is deplorable! It is a wonder people fly at all anymore! I very rarely fly anymore.
ReplyDeletei agree, less space and more cost...
ReplyDeleteOh dear, that doesn't sound good …
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
We haven't flown anywhere for two years and have no current plans to fly. If we do, I guess we should consider economy plus. Long flights can be miserable.
ReplyDeleteWhenever we fly, we each try to get an aisle seat if possible since I frequently have to use the rest room.
ReplyDeleteI do remember yrs ago that some girl arrived late to our flight & when she had the chance she put her seat back & practically landed in my lap but my drink did!
Flying does not get any easier.
Patty B.
They’ve changed some
ReplyDeleteOf those seats now so they recline only about 2-3 inches.
It's a shame, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI think you are worth it.
Trump Age
ReplyDeleteHi Kay and Art. I'm heading down to Australia in two weeks. Up until yesterday Cathay Pacific would not allow Economy Q passengers to reserve seats. Now they do, But the prices start at $39! And I have 4 flights!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll just take my chances and pray they give me a free window seat 48 hours before the check-in. For 20+ hours of flying, I really need a window seat.