Unwell raptor
You make a very good point. Can someone with the relevant know how, calculate the extra costs for say a typical 757, one class going from 28 pitch to 32" pitch. Just to get an idea. At present, you either go economy, or else pay huge wadges extra for premium or business. So, what I want to know is this, would it add £500 extra to a £200 ticket, or would it add around 20%, £40. If this is the case, why do the airlines resist the idea so strongly?
Every time this issue is raised on this site, it seems impossible for any constructive ideas to appear. Typically it is just 'passenger hating' vitriol.
As regards the case, Thank god someone has had the balls to do this. If you are over six foot (or less) tall and fly on a charter flight it really is a living hell. Contrary to some of the nonsense posted above, people who go on package holidays are not all oiks and do not all pay 'bucket shop prices' either. Many locations worldwide are only served by charter flights. Often their is no choice at all.
For clarity, the case did not focus on adhering to safety regulations, but to the concept of comfort. Generally, if the seats on planes were not too close together, and too small, then the problem would not occur. The airlines only have themselves to blame in this respect. They know their seats are extremely uncomfortable.
Although boeing have no major influence (its the airlines decision), apparently, they always suggest an economy seat pitch of at least 32". Is this correct, or an urban myth?