The storey of non-reclining seats
 

BBC News - The firm hoping to make economy flights more comfortable

I remember Jet2 promoting these just before they started medium haul flights to TLV. I was sceptical, but now, having used them a great deal on Jet2 and Easyjet, I think they are marvelous.

I fail to understand why BA insists on using the older style seats on their workhorse A320s. I flew LHR to MAN on a single class A320 recently. The plane was about 18 months old, was packed to the gunwhales but I had far less room than flying on Easyjet. Crammed by the window next to a large, smelly bloke I was glad the flight was only 30 minutes. I shudder to think if I had to sit there for 5 hours.

I think we may see these starting to emerge in new fits. Retro fitting would cost a fortune. Also, the legacy carriers have to have something to 'show' for the exra money. I suspect that the older generation of Pax (pre-LCC) still think that 'reclining seats' is a real bonus. On short haul, I don't think it is.

Even on mid-haul (LGW-LCA) the non-recliners are OK, it sure beats having somebody's setback in your lap.

One of the worst flights I've had recently was Edelweiss economy plus. The plus wasn't increased seat pitch, but increased seat recline. Meaning that the seat in front was so far back I couldn't get out of my aisle seat. (I'm 170cm and 66kg) And for that we paid extra!

This article is based on an episode of Peter Day's Radio 4 programme 'In business' - BBC Radio 4 - In Business, Cabin Fever
If you found the written article interesting, the Radio 4 original has a lot more interesting info. Like the fact that a basic economy seat costs about £1100, whilst an economy seat with IFE is about twice that (I think it was). Compare that with a first class seat which costs about £50,000-£100,000.

The interview with the Design Manager for Customer Experience with Virgin Atlantic was interesting. When asked what customers are paying for on a flight, the refreshingly honest answer was ‘real estate on our aircraft’.

From a personal experience point of view, the most comfortable economy seat I’ve been in was on a refurbed SQ B777, which had:
1. Very slender but surprisingly comfortable seats;
2. Headrests which were height adjustable - important for a 6ft2in person such as myself;
3. Headrest with wings that could be folded in to support your head;
4. Seat recline mechanism whereby about half of the ‘recline’ came from the base of the seat sliding forward – and so tilting the seat back all the more. Something that would be fare better for the passenger behind.
5. Endless supply of free G&T + nibbles.

years ago SQ figured out that if you rush down the aisles immediately after take-off offering everyone a couple of free drinks of so-so fizz or cheap wine they are less likely to cause you any bother at all... a warm glow spreads through the Y class cabin and everyone thinks about dozing off................

God knows where they got the "cognac" from - a direct feed from the fuel tank on some flights methinks - but hey! it was FREE :}:}