You have probably been reading the torrent of criticism over the lack of legroom on U.S. airlines and how many people are simply choosing not to fly given the punishing nature of air travel today. JetBlue and WestJet have responded with decisions to cut legroom even more on their flights.
As someone who is six feet, it is now painful to sit in a coach seat as you get kneecapped when someone throws back their seat. It is virtually impossible to use most computers on the flights. Airlines are converting air travel to virtual human cattle cars and now JetBlue and WestJet want to set their own new low in the treatment of passengers. Of course, other airlines are moving to get approval for planes that require passengers to stand like kindling wood to add more human cargo.
What is so disappointing is that some of us flew JetBlue because of its commitment to legroom and the claim of having the most legroom for coach of American carriers. It will now slash another inch from the leg room and reduce the space to 32 inches. While crushing passengers, it will bring in $150 million in additional revenue
What is now truly disgraceful is that airlines charge for seats with comfortable legroom. Indeed, by turning most seats into little more than hamster-sized cages, the airlines are forcing travelers to fork over more money to simply be able to sit comfortably or use a computer. The assumption that travel should be comfortable is being eradicated. Yet, while airlines treat passengers like cattle, Congress continues to cut legislative deals for this powerful lobby in a host of different ways.
The move by the airlines is a disgrace. It is another reason why I now work hard to avoid taking flights — either driving or taking a train whenever possible. The time it takes to get through security and the hostile attitude of air carriers in the United States has made air travel into a soul-crushing, knee-shattering experience.
Source: CNN
I used to do a lot of flying to Europe and across the US for business. No particular problems except the smoking. Now I still make trips across the country and don’t even consider flying. I won’t deal with TSA. Trains are fine but I like to read. The trains I have been on don’t run smoothly enough for reading. So I drive. Can’t read then either. Maybe I’ll try the trains again and be satisfied with the scenery.
The choo choo train contingent is here!
My last flight on commercial was several years ago. Atlanta to Anchorage and back. Next time I need to go to Alaska I will drive the AlCan highway. I would rather spend twelve days driving than twelve hours in a sardine can.
As I have said many times, in an airplane there is only one best seat in the house, and if my butt is not in it, I ain’t going.
Time for high speed rail. Lots of leg room.
Standing room only on their flights…. who needs them? If I can’t drive there, I ain’t going……
I don’t fly. I like the train or passenger car. It’s roomier, healthier, and I’m not trapped with a screaming kid in my ear along the way. If you allow extra time for the trip it works fine. Who needs a DVT?
Remember my first flight. DC-6B from NYC to SFO, non-stop in 1959. Everybody was treated like a king. Cocktail lounge with big windows in the aft.
Worst was Japan Airlines to Kobe, best was Air France on the return. Space and food. What a differience.
That CDG is a nightmare sometimes is another thing.
Bill H, I have a lot of empathy for you. I know that horrible disease too well.
“As someone who is six feet…” Not to be unsympathetic, but try being 6’4″ and having Parkinson’s Disease.
What Seattle said. Flew Lufthansa from Chicago to Amsterdam and it was great. Everyone has different experiences however..I understand that.
A friend of mine recently flew on Lufthansa from Florence to Denver through Frankfurt. He said the seats were so bad they made American Airlines seem like a private Lear Jet. I told that story to another friend who is a retired American Airlines pilot. His response was to make sure American didn’t hear there was a way to make passengers even more uncomfortable. He said that if they heard they could cram in even one more body, they’d be all over it like a bad smell.
I had forgotten all about People’s Express! They were the original no frill airline.
Lufthansa???? REALLY????
That was the carrier I LOVED most…. not only did you get the BEST FOOD EVER…. but, I found the leg room to be better than the American carriers….
back about 5 years ago, I was flying back and forth from Seattle, to Norway…. I can’t remember if it Continental or United, BUT, my seats were so bad, my knees were killing me by the time I landed in Norway… 25 hours of flying, airports, and security…. It was pure HELL…. I could not believe how bad the leg room issue was… especially since I am 5’1″ ….
I can’t imagine what the other passengers were going through If I was in that much pain…
I vowed to NOT fly American carriers again, for overseas flights…….
Peoples Express anyone…..
Treated as sardines, with the blessings of the LAW !
What does IATA stand for ? Irresponsible as…… taking ( no ) actions.
Just more material for standup comedians. I’ve often thought there should be an social contract among coach passengers not to recline your seat. When one person does it creates a domino effect.
lol
What Frankly said. (I was going to make a joke about standing, but I won’t try to follow that one. 😀 )
Those of you in 1st class may want to remember to change arms in the hanger straps during the flight. Those of you in coach will probably notice that there are no straps.
– The Grace L. Ferguson Airline and Storm Door Company
Their HQ must be in Sardinia.
It would be interesting to see some research on possible correlation between this reduction and the incidence of DVT. Given that medical examiners (thanks for this tidbit, Dr G) already call DVT death “cheap seat syndrome,” I would think that a case could be made that they are endangering passengers’ lives.
As an under-five-feet-tall road warrior, lack of legroom is about the only air travel misery I’m blessedly exempt from–in fact, I have to carry a portable footrest to keep circulation going in my legs on long flights. But I do sympathize with you taller folks.