Woman Passenger on SIA flight dies from blood clot.

[Lee]

In today's copy of "The Straits Times", a young British businesswoman died from deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) onboard a B747-400, after about 13 hours, whilst the jet was just 193 km from London. The passenger was seated in the economy section. May her soul rest in peace and my sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.

[allianceair]

Not suprising considering the way people are packed like sardines in their economy class.

[New York Pilot]

I asked a SIA flight attendant about the cramped seating in economy 2 years ago and she said the seats are to cater to the asian market and asians are generally smaller. Bull krap... SIA always caters for the western market with the USD so what is this about catering for the asian market.

Perhaps, SIA can follow suit with the U.S. carriers, the majority of which have allowed for quite some more measured room in economy class.

Ofcourse, SIA can follow suit on the deccency issue on many other items too but lets not go there as its almost Christmas.

Happy holidays!!!

[brockenspectre]

Condolences to the family of the woman who died. As someone who has put on weight in the past 5 years I now find that I am unable to fly in a window seat of any airline as once the pax in front has reclined their seat I am totally trapped!!! My last visit to the USA as pax I traded up to a biz class equiv on a Brit tourist/charter company and was very comfortable! I think airline seats are designed for a "standard" that may still exist in Asia but due to change in diet is far from standard among the majority over the age of 20 in Europe/N America!! Tell me - who decides? the shape as well as the pitch of seats today in economy are far from satisfactory!

[deepee]

Too true, SIA is for little people.Been there, done that and never again.Always fly with an airlane that caters for the 'Western Market'. <img src="frown.gif" border="0">

[zxamx]

I don't think SQ must accept 100% of the blames. What about FAA/JAA? I thought they are the responsible parties to approve the seating arrangement/measurement for the purpose of certifications. They should be held resposible too !!! SQ is just a customer and has every rights to choose the pre-approved seating options.

[Big Kahuna]

Singapore Airlines are fairly average when it comes to seat pitch.

Airline Pitch
American Airlines 34"
Air Canada 34"
Air France 34"
Air New Zealand 34"
Lufthansa 34"
Malayasian 34"
Royal Brunei Airlines 34"
Thai Airways 34"
Alitalia 33"
Cathay Pacific 32"
Aer Lingus 32"
Singapore Airlines 32"
British Midland 32"
Lauda Air 32"
United Airlines 31"
British Airways 31"
Iceland Air 31"
Delta 30"
Qantas 30"
Virgin Atlantic 30"
Caladonian 30"
Ryanair 29"
Easy Jet 29"
Britannia 28"

[Usman]

A young friend of mine almost end up on the same fate on 23 Dec. She was from LA-KL on SIA.

Ended up with swollen legs. She said once the pax infront recline the seat there is no way you can move your legs or get out.

She also got rashes on her back and felt the seat were not cleaned properly.

It seems like MAS, SIA had resort to cheap vacuum cleaners. Previously MAS (before 1995) had used SpeedQueen that can suck in up to 0.3 micron removing all the smallest bugs.

Well pay higher cabin cleaning contract at cheapest deal and put money in own pockets at the expense of travelling public and huge losses to the airline. Whats new.

[G.Khan]

FL600 - Swollen limbs after a long haul flight is very common among a lot of people and is not necessarily anything to do with DVT. Fluid retention, for whatever reason, is a primary cause of swollen limbs.

ALLIANCEAIR - you are needed on the Downunder&Godzone forum, "KAL Has Mishap at Auckland" KAL don't seem to have too many supporters! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[7times7]

It appears that those who has an axe to grind against SQ will disregard whatever facts is available. Looks at the pitch stated by Kahuna.

Did you guys bitch about it when someone died of DVT on a BA or Qantas flight reported in the news some time back?

Deepee, does BA, Qantas, Virgin or United cater for the "Western Market" with their &lt;32" pitch?

I rest. Sigh!

<img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Alfredo_Garcia]

Big Kahuna,

Comparing seat pitch is not as simple as you have made out.

SIA only operate wide-bodied aircraft, whereas someone like Easyjet have nothing but narrow-bodied.

The length of sector is also important. Flying for 90mins on a cramped B737 will cause you no harm (many people sit in front of the TV without getting up for longer).

The only relevant figures are those for economy class, long-haul carriers, and even then it's more a case of what the press seem to think is trendy at the present time.

Two pilots with the company I work for (both flying the B744) are presently off work with DVT related problems, yet there's no problem with pitch, legroom or availablility of exercise space in the cockpit.

If you're laid up in hospital and unable to move, a nurse will change your position every two hours to prevent DVT. Any passenger can do the same if they wish.

[the wizard of auz]

I flew with SIA recently and being 6.1' and 98 kgs I usually have problems fitting any where, but was perfectly comfortable. I also might add that the service was excellent, the food reasonable and the FA's attractive.....I would have absolutely no hesetaition flying with them again.
some of our locals could learn quite a bit about service from these people.