Economy Seat Survey
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Economy Seat Survey
Hi Everyone,
I added this little survey in another post but thought I'd post it separately too.
The results from here, facebook, and a few other places I've posted it are quite interesting already and suggest I'm barking up the right tree with my seat design.
10 questions only -
Long Haul Economy Survey (long haul = more than 6 hours)
I'll post the results here in a few days.
I added this little survey in another post but thought I'd post it separately too.
The results from here, facebook, and a few other places I've posted it are quite interesting already and suggest I'm barking up the right tree with my seat design.
10 questions only -
Long Haul Economy Survey (long haul = more than 6 hours)
I'll post the results here in a few days.
Last edited by mommus; 14th Oct 2013 at 13:53.
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So far the most surprising result for me is that ticket prices are only considered a fraction more important than legroom and seat comfort, suggesting that the airline's common line (that passengers are overwhelmingly concerned with ticket price only) is not completely true.
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Legroom is pretty well irrelevant to short suckers like me (164cm). If I was 170 or more I'd probably have more of an issue.
I've paid more for economy plus, but have been disappointed with the value for money. Probably wouldn't do it again, unless I saw some real difference.
I've paid more for economy plus, but have been disappointed with the value for money. Probably wouldn't do it again, unless I saw some real difference.
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The issue with ticket price is how much more someone is willing to pay to get what they want. For example, my flight tomorrow, SFO-FRA, is booked on United, not my favorite airline. I'd much rather fly Lufthansa becuase not only are the seats more comfortable, but the service and other amenities are much better. But, in the case of this flight (on leg of a longer journey), the price differential was about $300, more than I want to pay to go LH. If it had been, say, $50, I'd jump at the chance to change. And so price, while important, may or may not be the determining factor, depending on how much more one has to pay to get what they really want versus what they will settle for.
Also, in your survey you have three items that really all related to seat comfort.
Also, in your survey you have three items that really all related to seat comfort.
Last edited by Mark in CA; 23rd Sep 2013 at 18:01.
I've taken to flying less in recent years and upgrading to Premium Economy (and even Club) so my answers may not have been either typical or even valid!
(e.g.I will use PE for daylight flights and Club for overnight).
(e.g.I will use PE for daylight flights and Club for overnight).
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The seat comfort-leaning questions are due to my economy seat design, which is currently evolving.
thanks to all who have taken it.
I can't post any pics of the seat design itself, but here is the recline angle that it achieves. This is still a 33 inch seat pitch
thanks to all who have taken it.
I can't post any pics of the seat design itself, but here is the recline angle that it achieves. This is still a 33 inch seat pitch
Paxing All Over The World
Thanks mommus, the image is interesting. If that can be achieved - it would be remarkable. I suspect your problem will be to get everyone to recline at the same time and stay reclined. To do that would mean taking the recline control away. But am happy to wait and see.
I have filled in your survey but I am an atypical customer and my answers will not fit any pattern.
If replies are indicating that price is not the key factor, my guess is that is due to the respondents being (like me) interested in flying. over the last 25 years, pax have made it very clear where price is on their list. just ask MoL!
I have filled in your survey but I am an atypical customer and my answers will not fit any pattern.
If replies are indicating that price is not the key factor, my guess is that is due to the respondents being (like me) interested in flying. over the last 25 years, pax have made it very clear where price is on their list. just ask MoL!
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PAXboy - thanks for filling out the survey, as far as I'm concerned atypical customers are just as important to hear from as 'typical' ones.
I would intend to allow every passenger individual control over their own seat. The main concept driving the design is that each person will have their own space that cannot be intruded upon by others and is controllable only by that passenger.
I've found that the responses have remained pretty much the same after I posted links to the survey on aviation-centric websites. The only difference seems to be that when asked for their favorite airline, lots more people used the airline code rather than its name!
Another surprising result to the "would you fly more if seats were more comfortable" question - yes 31.58% no 42.11% (maybe 26.32%)
lomapaseo - thanks for the response. I have already considered the points you illustrate. This was the starting point of my design. The concept as it stands avoids 90% of the issue shown in your picture.
I would intend to allow every passenger individual control over their own seat. The main concept driving the design is that each person will have their own space that cannot be intruded upon by others and is controllable only by that passenger.
I've found that the responses have remained pretty much the same after I posted links to the survey on aviation-centric websites. The only difference seems to be that when asked for their favorite airline, lots more people used the airline code rather than its name!
Another surprising result to the "would you fly more if seats were more comfortable" question - yes 31.58% no 42.11% (maybe 26.32%)
lomapaseo - thanks for the response. I have already considered the points you illustrate. This was the starting point of my design. The concept as it stands avoids 90% of the issue shown in your picture.
Ignoring the two b*gg*rs who have declined to recline, the proportions on Lompaseo's diagram look pretty accurate.
In which case, frankly, I'm having trouble believing that a seat structure can be made both strong enough to support the average US male leaning back at around 45° while simultaneously being sufficiently low-profile to provide the required clearance at the proposed pitch.
In which case, frankly, I'm having trouble believing that a seat structure can be made both strong enough to support the average US male leaning back at around 45° while simultaneously being sufficiently low-profile to provide the required clearance at the proposed pitch.
Paxing All Over The World
mommus
thanks for the feedback and I hope your project goes well.
I'd suggest the reason is money. Certainly that is the reason I do not travel more. Pure and simple. The cost of flights, hotel, ground transport, etc. If I had more money, I'd take early retirement and travel.
Ah yes, friends and family complain that I use IATA carrier and airport codes in correspondence, emails and SMS! 
thanks for the feedback and I hope your project goes well.
Another surprising result to the "would you fly more if seats were more comfortable" question - yes 31.58% no 42.11% (maybe 26.32%)
The only difference seems to be that when asked for their favorite airline, lots more people used the airline code rather than its name!
My experience is that non-reclining seats aid comfort because the person in front cannot invade your space, especially when you are trying to eat the meal.
Extra legroom on those seats however only makes life easier if you want to get to the aisle so the ideal compromise is sufficient pitch that a reclined seat in front of you does not impede your enjoyment of the flight.
Extra legroom on those seats however only makes life easier if you want to get to the aisle so the ideal compromise is sufficient pitch that a reclined seat in front of you does not impede your enjoyment of the flight.
Paxing All Over The World
I think, mommus, that if you could get your survey more widely seen, you would get a better representation of what main stream Pax think, rather than us lot.
For example, I choose primarily by carrier and then often by aircraft type, whereas most folks have zero idea of what a/c they are on and no reason why they should.
For example, I choose primarily by carrier and then often by aircraft type, whereas most folks have zero idea of what a/c they are on and no reason why they should.
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At 6'4", seat pitch is important to me. I'm poor, so can't afford to consider E+.
For a while, I almost exclusively crossed the pond with AA while they had their "More Room in Coach" deal, but these days I will pay a little above the lowest price for a trip involving an equipment type, airport or route that I like. UA's Channel 9 was also something I steered myself towards.
I hope your survey yields better accomodation for those of us at the unfashionable end of the bird!!
For a while, I almost exclusively crossed the pond with AA while they had their "More Room in Coach" deal, but these days I will pay a little above the lowest price for a trip involving an equipment type, airport or route that I like. UA's Channel 9 was also something I steered myself towards.
I hope your survey yields better accomodation for those of us at the unfashionable end of the bird!!
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at 5 ft nothing , I really don't care too much about seat pitch, its width that gets me.
I'm considerably smaller than I used to be ( by about 40 lbs) so I can now quite happily fit my butt in between the arm rests without touching them but there still isn't much in the way of elbow room.
4 across ought to be banned as far as I'm concerned. I would take less pitch in favour of 2 or 3 seats only in a row
I'm considerably smaller than I used to be ( by about 40 lbs) so I can now quite happily fit my butt in between the arm rests without touching them but there still isn't much in the way of elbow room.
4 across ought to be banned as far as I'm concerned. I would take less pitch in favour of 2 or 3 seats only in a row
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The image posted by lomapaseo scares me to death. If the 185 cm guy in the row in front reclines I've got his head in my face. Even if he's my height I lose all ability to work, to read, to eat, to drink.
Kudos to the lCCs whose seats don't recline. Everyone has got their own non-flexible space. You stay out of mine, I stay out of yours.
Short haul and long haul.
Kudos to the lCCs whose seats don't recline. Everyone has got their own non-flexible space. You stay out of mine, I stay out of yours.
Short haul and long haul.
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I'm all in favour of no or minimal recline in Y class. I have also always felt that seat pitch should be restricted to an absolute minimum of 34' by international legistlation.
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EXxb - the image posted by lomapaseo is not a reflection of how my seat design would work. In fact, it illustrates quite well the space and positioning challenges that have had to be overcome.
I cant believe anyone is seriously considering flying long-haul in seats that don't recline at all, even if the cost is someone's head in your chest. Would you really be happy sitting bolt-upright for 12 hours?
I cant believe anyone is seriously considering flying long-haul in seats that don't recline at all, even if the cost is someone's head in your chest. Would you really be happy sitting bolt-upright for 12 hours?
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Well, no seat is bolt upright. Yes I'd be happier with seats that didn't recline, but with wings in the headrest giving me somewhere to park my head. Give me 'my' space, not a movable space where my only option when someone inconveniences me is to inconvenience the person behind me.
I hate having no control over the person in front, hoping that s/he is considerate to my needs during meal times etc, and these days knowing it's not about me it's about them.
I hate having no control over the person in front, hoping that s/he is considerate to my needs during meal times etc, and these days knowing it's not about me it's about them.
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Totally agree ExXB. If there is the foldable headrest I find that much more comfortable than reclining the seat. I prefer window seats when flying, but do find it a pain in the backside to get out to the toilet if the person in front has their seat fully reclined.