Economy Class Syndrome
Join Date: Jun 2001
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For my tupporth, SQ / MAS have a distinct edge on Cathay Pathetic cattle class because of the extra legroom. I certainly notice the difference, since my legs are specially calibrated to measure 32" versus 34". I would therefore use SQ / MAS any time they offer a convenient alternative. I hope CX take note that theirs is a false economy (ho ho) because I'd rather be in a full plane with adequate legroom than a 60% full plane with poor legroom.
Too mean to buy a long personal title
eal401: So, because I have happen to have naturally grown to 6 foot 5", I should be out of pocket to ensure my comfort?
Twas ever this. If you want a bigger car because you happen to be bigger, you pay extra for it. If you want a longer bed in your house because you happen to be taller, you pay extra for it. Same goes for airline seats.
Your logic would impose a price premium on the vast majority of people who are content with current scheduled economy seat space - just because you individually happen to be much bigger than average.
And before you start on this, no airline is going to give you the extra space for free. It costs money to fly it around.
OK, quick question from a humble SLF who also has had the misfortune to grow to 6'5". I have long since accepted that those of us of a more sensible height are always going to have to pay more for clothes, shoes, airline seats, etc.. If I am on a short-haul holiday flight I normally just stand in the aisle for most of the flight (after all, I stand on the tube for about an hour each morning, why not on a plane?). Longer flights I pay the extra for an escape exit seat or similar.
However, I was just wondering what the safety rules are given that whenever I fly sitting in a standard economy seat my legs are so crushed up against the seat ahead that I couldn't hope to get out quickly in the event of an emergency?
However, I was just wondering what the safety rules are given that whenever I fly sitting in a standard economy seat my legs are so crushed up against the seat ahead that I couldn't hope to get out quickly in the event of an emergency?
Join Date: Jan 2001
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It's a tricky one, isn't it? I imagine that any airline that configured its Y class so that 2m tall people can be truly comfortable would soon go out of business as it would be charging substantially more than its competitors. The only way this could happen is for a minimum seat pitch to be mandated by a suitable authority, which doesn't seem to be on the cards. Even then I guess we'd be hearing complaints from 2.2m-tall individuals!
Try visiting your local BMW showroom and see if they'll sell you a 7 series for the price of a Mini because you 'need the legroom'. I don't think you'll get very far!
Try visiting your local BMW showroom and see if they'll sell you a 7 series for the price of a Mini because you 'need the legroom'. I don't think you'll get very far!
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EAL, it is one thing to be tolerant, and another to expect every body else to subsidise your lifestyle. People that consume more should have to pay more, at least in a capitalist society.
Should I expect people to pay for my children if I choose to have them? There has to be a line drawn somewhere between providing for the masses to ensure a stable society and a pay as you go society.
Should I expect people to pay for my children if I choose to have them? There has to be a line drawn somewhere between providing for the masses to ensure a stable society and a pay as you go society.
Join Date: Apr 2002
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EAL, it is one thing to be tolerant, and another to expect every body else to subsidise your lifestyle.
Well, if you discrimate against people because of a certain aspect of their natural appearance, that's your lifestyle choice.
Let's not let the fact that average heights are increasing get in the way of anything.
Tsamaya sentle
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I guess the discussion is running out of hand here. We have had a lot of arguments along the line of "If you want/need more leg room, pay for it." Again, it aint that simple, because it aint so that all people who are content with Y class pay the same price. In fact, I might pay 1000 Euros and sit next to somebody who paid only 200; or it might even be that the fare difference within Y is much larger than between the most expensive Y and the cheapest C. This has absolutely nothing to do with someone "subsidising the lifestyle of others" (quote maxi101).
Who defines what is "extra space" (quote Globaliser)? If there was a generally-agreed-upon margin of extra space, then why do you get 30" with some airlines, and 34" with others? Yes, I does cost to fly space around, but airline economics is not the same for all airlines, as we all know.
BTW, if the average load factor on a given route or for a given airline is 60 %, then why not spare a row or two (saves weight) and get extra legroom? Will spread around quickly among (potential) customers! Yes, I know, it aint quite that simple...
The credo of "pay the price for what you want to get" is lightyears away from what you find in the travel and airlines business!
And this thread has nothing to do with "rumours and news" so I guess the mods will shift it somewhere else, anyway.
Who defines what is "extra space" (quote Globaliser)? If there was a generally-agreed-upon margin of extra space, then why do you get 30" with some airlines, and 34" with others? Yes, I does cost to fly space around, but airline economics is not the same for all airlines, as we all know.
BTW, if the average load factor on a given route or for a given airline is 60 %, then why not spare a row or two (saves weight) and get extra legroom? Will spread around quickly among (potential) customers! Yes, I know, it aint quite that simple...
The credo of "pay the price for what you want to get" is lightyears away from what you find in the travel and airlines business!
And this thread has nothing to do with "rumours and news" so I guess the mods will shift it somewhere else, anyway.
I'm Just A Lawnmower
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So I chose to be 6' 5" did I?
I guess there are pros and cons to everything. You might find an airline seat more uncomfortable than your average short-arse but you can always get your own back by siting in front of him at the cinema.
Back on topic, seat pitch does not apparently matter when it comes to the formation of clots as business class passengers have also suffered from DVTs. What people should be doing is having a stroll up the aisles every hour or so, even if it does annoy the cabin crew.
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EDDN H
To reach an average of 60% you'd most likely would have a few flights at 100% load factor... so reducing a couple of rows is not as easy as it sounds.
Strange as it may seem - airlines do try to operate at times to suit their market and with sufficient capacity.
To reach an average of 60% you'd most likely would have a few flights at 100% load factor... so reducing a couple of rows is not as easy as it sounds.
Strange as it may seem - airlines do try to operate at times to suit their market and with sufficient capacity.
Economy Class Syndrome
In January myself and better half traveled EGLL to CYYC and return with Air Canada in economy, aircraft was A330. Legroom and general comfort was surprisingly good for economy and for me approaching 6 ft was not really a problem over the 9 hour sectors. Cabin Crew were also very good, polite, understanding and professional throughout.
Having said that, when we travel down under to that place with lots of sheep and where they used to have a rugby team, we go SQ Business. Not cheap, but is anything these days and for my mind well worth it.
Having said that, when we travel down under to that place with lots of sheep and where they used to have a rugby team, we go SQ Business. Not cheap, but is anything these days and for my mind well worth it.
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Pax Boy..... Cannot say that thrills me too much. We have debated this problem in SLF forum. If you can pay extra money to get the 'exit row' what saftey precautions are being taken?
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Working with a previous airline that charged extra to reserve emergency exit seats! There were no saftey issues! First of all the res agent when taking such a booking would ask if you are fully able bodied e.t.c. If at this point you told a white lie and said you were when your not the check-in agent would stop you! Then last line you have the cabin crew. So as you can see there is no saftey issue.
Opsguy
Pax Boy..... Cannot say that thrills me too much. We have debated this problem in SLF forum. If you can pay extra money to get the 'exit row' what saftey precautions are being taken?
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Working with a previous airline that charged extra to reserve emergency exit seats! There were no saftey issues! First of all the res agent when taking such a booking would ask if you are fully able bodied e.t.c. If at this point you told a white lie and said you were when your not the check-in agent would stop you! Then last line you have the cabin crew. So as you can see there is no saftey issue.
Opsguy
Tsamaya sentle
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Animalclub,
as I wrote: yes, itīs a lot more complicated.
And yes, for the sake of profitability, we should all be happy when the flight is crammed - in theory..., and certainly NOT the one I am on as Y pax!
as I wrote: yes, itīs a lot more complicated.
And yes, for the sake of profitability, we should all be happy when the flight is crammed - in theory..., and certainly NOT the one I am on as Y pax!
At the end of the day, doesn't it all come down to the fact that air travel has got too cheap? I'm old enough to remember TWA proudly advertising the fact that they had fares of Ģ299 return to New York (OK, you say so what? - That was on a Constellation, that's what!) That must have been at least 1/3 of the year's average wage in the UK at the time. Now you can get there and back for a week's average wage.
'Pile it high and sell it cheap' approach works to some extent, but it seems to me that it's gone a bit too far in air travel.
'Pile it high and sell it cheap' approach works to some extent, but it seems to me that it's gone a bit too far in air travel.
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Don't forget that seat pitch is not the same as leg room.
Unfortunately, none of the guides indicate how much leg room you can expect. Some Airlines with a 34" pitch have less than others with a 30" pitch. It is all down to seat design.
Unfortunately, none of the guides indicate how much leg room you can expect. Some Airlines with a 34" pitch have less than others with a 30" pitch. It is all down to seat design.
