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Blue_Tires

(57,596 posts)
Sun Jun 3, 2012, 07:56 PM Jun 2012

Airline squeeze: It's not you, 'it's the seat' [View all]

(CNN) -- If you're on a flight -- especially a long one -- a coach class seat can be a chair of torture.

It doesn't take much these days to ruin a perfectly good airplane ride, CNN.com readers have made clear. It's a real buzzkill to try to walk down the aisle "with a bag on your shoulder, hitting everyone as you pass by," suggests user "Cajuncatdude." Commenter "Rosemeow" writes, "It's bad enough that about a quarter of the time, I have an obese person sitting next to me (sometimes on both sides) who doesn't fit into their own seat, crushing me."

And "MrsColumbo" complains about "people who don't even try to stand up without grabbing on to the seat in front and pulling themselves up. What is with that?"
Scoring a good airline seat

For something as seemingly simple as stuffing rear ends between two armrests inside a flying metal tube, it kind of feels like there's some anger up there.

And things could get even more heated. Changes are happening now, as major U.S. carriers look for new ways to pump up profits by either adding to or reducing the number of coach seats, increasing legroom or cutting the distance between rows.

You might call it a game of aeronautical chairs that will directly affect passenger comfort, convenience and cost.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/30/travel/airline-seats/index.html?hpt=hp_bn5

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/5480133/

39 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I can answer the one about pulling marybourg Jun 2012 #1
that's exactly whay I was thinking too dana_b Jun 2012 #27
People who complain about that must be Lydia Leftcoast Jun 2012 #37
well, I can see how it would be dana_b Jun 2012 #39
The seats are too damned small for me, and I'm barely over five feet. LeftyMom Jun 2012 #2
My flight to Korea, not so bad. My flight from, Horrible. Risen Demon Jun 2012 #3
Try being 6'4", 290. N/T. Rittermeister Jun 2012 #4
Always check in with the tall ticket agent. pink-o Jun 2012 #10
Years ago, I was flying from Miami to Atlanta RebelOne Jun 2012 #5
Seat Guru FarCenter Jun 2012 #6
Seatguru is probably one reason why, airlines started charging for seats. justice1 Jun 2012 #7
Am I the only one that thinks the "headrest" is there as a instrument of torture? LiberalAndProud Jun 2012 #8
agreed and the 1/2" "recline" does not help either! K8-EEE Jun 2012 #14
Yes. Recline. LiberalAndProud Jun 2012 #15
The airbus commuter planes are especially egregious. dkf Jun 2012 #19
Yeah. I thought it was just me. Matariki Jun 2012 #34
I'm short, and the seats are too tall for my legs. If I could curl up or move around or put my feet JDPriestly Jun 2012 #9
I would kill for a footrest, myself. Just for comfort. Put yer feet up!!! MADem Jun 2012 #11
I Use My Carryon Bag as a Footrest AndyTiedye Jun 2012 #13
I've done that, myself, but sometimes I skip the carry-on and just have a computer. MADem Jun 2012 #25
6'1" 235 and in pain every time I fly JCMach1 Jun 2012 #12
Napping in flight. Now that's funny. LiberalAndProud Jun 2012 #16
I'm about the similar build, but 99% of my flying is usually short/medium range Blue_Tires Jun 2012 #21
Do you know where I can get a list of most comfortable planes for international flights? CTyankee Jun 2012 #23
The safe bets I know are 747, 767, and 777 Blue_Tires Jun 2012 #28
Any Airbus and the Boeing 777's tend to be more generous for seating... JCMach1 Jun 2012 #29
On my trip to Amsterdam last fall, I was offered a slight upgrade in row space but it was CTyankee Jun 2012 #30
I prefer British Airways, but they can be expensive. smirkymonkey Jun 2012 #32
I get a bunch already but will sign up for Kayak...thanks... CTyankee Jun 2012 #35
Seats usually have more room on BA JCMach1 Jun 2012 #36
I've now upped my driving distance window to 11 hours. HughBeaumont Jun 2012 #17
My driving distance window is 2 days. tanyev Jun 2012 #20
We will never fly ever again. YellowRubberDuckie Jun 2012 #18
I've had good and bad experiences with European flights. CTyankee Jun 2012 #22
Yeah, seat room depends on the aircraft type Blue_Tires Jun 2012 #24
They aren't merged--they are code share partners! MADem Jun 2012 #26
I'm 6'1'' 200 Cali_Democrat Jun 2012 #31
US airlines have an amazing business model. hifiguy Jun 2012 #33
I favor United Airlines, simply because Lydia Leftcoast Jun 2012 #38
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