Minimum legroom for seating.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
From: london
Minimum legroom for seating.
Im on a flight to Agadir shortly with Thomas Cook airlines.
As a regular flyer with Swissair im used to a proffessional service and adequate legroom. They really impress me no end. (well apart from the stingy roll but i guess that's the norm now, the chocolate makes up for it)
Whilst this flight to Agadir is relatively short (i think 4.5hours?) im concerned about leg room.
The last time i squeezed onto a Thomson airways flight i was shocked at the amount of leg room i didn't have and im a 14stone chap @ 5'11.
Is there any actual legal minimum on leg room? It seems the airlines are so strict on safety and regulation yet dont give a sh't about passenger comfort!?
Ive been informed some of these uk carriers have a slightly higher incident rate in comparism to the likes of some of the UK scheduled airlines, is this because they are cutting corners on servicing/maintenance or inexperienced pilots?
As a regular flyer with Swissair im used to a proffessional service and adequate legroom. They really impress me no end. (well apart from the stingy roll but i guess that's the norm now, the chocolate makes up for it)
Whilst this flight to Agadir is relatively short (i think 4.5hours?) im concerned about leg room.
The last time i squeezed onto a Thomson airways flight i was shocked at the amount of leg room i didn't have and im a 14stone chap @ 5'11.
Is there any actual legal minimum on leg room? It seems the airlines are so strict on safety and regulation yet dont give a sh't about passenger comfort!?
Ive been informed some of these uk carriers have a slightly higher incident rate in comparism to the likes of some of the UK scheduled airlines, is this because they are cutting corners on servicing/maintenance or inexperienced pilots?
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
From: UK
Is there any actual legal minimum on leg room?
Your flight time to Agadir will be more like 3:30 to 4:00 Hours
It seems the airlines are so strict on safety and regulation yet dont give a sh't about passenger comfort!?
Ive been informed some of these uk carriers have a slightly higher incident rate in comparism to the likes of some of the UK scheduled airlines, is this because they are cutting corners on servicing/maintenance or inexperienced pilots?
Moral: Do a little research and reading before posting - The answers to all your questions have already been discussed many times before. Use the 'Search' function
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 60
From: Anderlecht
You've got it right with regard to most airlines not caring about basic passenger comfort. 28" is a ridiculous and potentially lethal minimum seat pitch. In my opinion it should be no less than 31". The problem is that the same people who complain about seat pitch also want to fly for pennies, and airlines want to try and make a small profit now and again. This results in their having to cram as many seats in as possible.
Of course it's not only Swiss who provide more adequate leg room, there are plenty of others. That's why I do exactly what Tightslot (sarcastically) suggests and avoid flying with airlines that don't meet my comfort standards. I suggest you do the same. Next time check the seat pitch before you book!
Of course it's not only Swiss who provide more adequate leg room, there are plenty of others. That's why I do exactly what Tightslot (sarcastically) suggests and avoid flying with airlines that don't meet my comfort standards. I suggest you do the same. Next time check the seat pitch before you book!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
From: london
Thanks for your helpful and sarcastic replies! Blimey ive never been made to feel so welcome Mr Moderator 
Thanks Avman i couldn't find a direct flight to Agadir from London, it's not possible.
I had no option on this flight to select 'seats with room for legs' only option was to prebook where we sat. Maybe fully booked already and i booked it pretty early, must be flying with a group of germans?
I dont understand why CAA dont just bump it to say 31" otherwise they may as well not have a regulation as it clearly isn't realistic or sensible??? If this forced ALL airline prices up in a unfiorm manner then what's the issue?
Sorry for being so loyal to Swiss air, its just that they seem to care about their service!
Thanks Avman i couldn't find a direct flight to Agadir from London, it's not possible.
I had no option on this flight to select 'seats with room for legs' only option was to prebook where we sat. Maybe fully booked already and i booked it pretty early, must be flying with a group of germans?I dont understand why CAA dont just bump it to say 31" otherwise they may as well not have a regulation as it clearly isn't realistic or sensible??? If this forced ALL airline prices up in a unfiorm manner then what's the issue?
Sorry for being so loyal to Swiss air, its just that they seem to care about their service!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Out there, somewhere
The 'moderation' on this thread is somewhat unprofessional
The CAA specifies a distance of 26" from seat to seat, not 28".
Perhaps the moderator would be advised to take his/her own advice about doing research?
The CAA specifies a distance of 26" from seat to seat, not 28".
Perhaps the moderator would be advised to take his/her own advice about doing research?
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
From: UK
captains_log - Oh but you are welcome - However (as I have said once already) your comments would be more welcome if you had done your research first, and possibly used the 'Search' function to see if any of your views have been discussed before.
Essentially, you have waded into a forum on a site managed by aircrew, making subjective claims about your perception of what airlines think about their customers and presenting them as fact. You've followed that up by asserting that some of the most highly respected airlines, crew and engineers in the British Industry are "cutting corners", or are "inexperienced" and are operating in a less safe manner than 'scheduled' airlines. Which part of all that did you expect would endear you to the airline community?
Whatever you may think about the 'safety' or otherwise of the minimum seat pitch, the point is that it has been determined by people who have done huge amounts of research on the subject, and are highly qualified to make such judgements (It isn't just decided at random and written down on the back of a fag packet). Studies have shown that greater seat pitch does not directly equate to greater safety
This suggestions seems to me to have great merit and be a matter of common sense.
Indeed - CAA AN64 specifies 'Dimension A' as 26" - In practise this is 28" when allowance is made for seat cushion thickness etc. You would have realised this if you had not been quite so busy looking to pick a fight.
Essentially, you have waded into a forum on a site managed by aircrew, making subjective claims about your perception of what airlines think about their customers and presenting them as fact. You've followed that up by asserting that some of the most highly respected airlines, crew and engineers in the British Industry are "cutting corners", or are "inexperienced" and are operating in a less safe manner than 'scheduled' airlines. Which part of all that did you expect would endear you to the airline community?
Whatever you may think about the 'safety' or otherwise of the minimum seat pitch, the point is that it has been determined by people who have done huge amounts of research on the subject, and are highly qualified to make such judgements (It isn't just decided at random and written down on the back of a fag packet). Studies have shown that greater seat pitch does not directly equate to greater safety
Originally Posted by Avman
avoid flying with airlines that don't meet my comfort standards
Originally Posted by Lotpax
The CAA specifies a distance of 26" from seat to seat, not 28"
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 110
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From: Deep South, UK
Caa An64
Just being really picky - in case people go looking for AN64 - Airworthiness Notices no longer exist - their contents have been incorporated into other CAA publications - in this particular case CAP747 GR No. 2
