Well to all of you short arsed little gits who are complaining about the injustice of JMC having to fork out a measly £500... I'm 6'7", and I can tell you that any economy seat is generally a squeeze. I have stood for an entire BA LAX-LHR (except for the mandatory sitting bits) because even the "cost you more" scheduled flights have a joke of a seat pitch <img src="mad.gif" border="0"> <img src="mad.gif" border="0"> <img src="mad.gif" border="0"> .
It's about time we big blokes got something done. The CAA need to now realize that people are TALLER now than thirty years ago. Just because it's legally airworthy doesn't make it a good idea. Smoking is legal - but STUPID as is letting 18 year old boys get behind the wheel of a car !!!
There is also a SAFETY issue. The damned seats are often so tight that there is NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER of getting into the brace position in an emergency landing....... Think about that one little people !!
As someone pointed out, the possibility of flying club or first is prohibitive to most people, also some destinations are only charter served...