The FAA said it designed the tests to focus solely on two variables: seat width and the space between rows, known as seat pitch.
"These tests are going to be nothing but a sham," said John Breyault, who is from the National Consumers League. The organization and nine other groups sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and FAA Administrator Steve Dickson criticizing the seat testing.
"Consumers should not think for a minute that these tests are being done in a way that would accurately represent what could happen in an emergency evacuation," Breyault said.
He worries airlines will use the FAA's findings to further reduce space and add more seats. Airline seat width is down as much as four inches over the last 30 years to as little as 16 inches wide. And seat pitch has shrunk from about 35 inches to 31 inches and in some cases as little as 28 inches.
Spirit Airlines says seat size is more about the amount of usable space. Next month they're launching redesigned memory foam seats with a curved back for better legroom at 28 inches apart. But CEO Ted Christie says you'll have as much room as seats with 30 inches of pitch.
"Do you have any concerns about this not being enough space to safely evacuate a plane quickly, for people to be comfortable?" Van Cleave asked.
"None at all. You know, there's been many tests done to ensure that these seats and our configuration meets with safety requirements," Christie said. "While they are closer together than a first-class product, they've been validated to show that there's adequate space to egress the airplane."
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