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You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Political/War Lounge > Should airline seat space be regulated?

Should airline seat space be regulated?
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el chupacabra
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Apr 21, 2015, 01:26 PM
 
The airlines are in the process of shrinking the distance between seats again (behind & in front of each other)

The arguments:
Seats keep getting closer and closer. They have gotten so close that it's impossible for most people to get into the brace position shown on the seat-back cards for emergency crash/landing. Evacuations will also take longer. Hence they'er becoming more dangerous and the planes are getting filthier. Modern airlines are often being called flying greyhound buses.

The airline's argument
If safety mattered much to people they could choose not to purchase our tickets. Stats show consumers buy the lowest priced tickets from the lowest cost carriers and dont care about seats / safety. Thats their call, and if they want there are options to purchase larger seats.
     
The Final Dakar
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Apr 21, 2015, 01:33 PM
 
Originally Posted by el chupacabra View Post
The airlines are in the process of shrinking the distance between seats again (behind & in front of each other)
I could see an argument made for mandatory minimum regs to keep them from going to small, provided the specification was based on considering what would not cause damage to the average person on an average flight. You can already see some of the problems with the 'average' course of thinking.

Originally Posted by el chupacabra View Post
The airline's argument
If safety mattered much to people they could choose not to purchase our tickets. Stats show consumers buy the lowest priced tickets from the lowest cost carriers and dont care about seats / safety. Thats their call, and if they want there are options to purchase larger seats.
Yeah, a classic example of how irrationally people will act within the free market. Also, the race to the bottom.
     
el chupacabra  (op)
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Apr 22, 2015, 11:18 AM
 
… .
( Last edited by el chupacabra; Jan 5, 2024 at 02:24 AM. )
     
The Final Dakar
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Apr 22, 2015, 11:25 AM
 
Originally Posted by el chupacabra View Post
I forgot to add I think the small seat space could have to do with the increase rate of stroke. The airline says it's just from sitting for hours. But people sit for hours all the time. The difference being that they at least have room to move within their seat or twirl their chair.
The difference is you can (and do) get up at the office much more often and without it being a giant hassle for everyone around you.
     
subego
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Apr 23, 2015, 08:39 AM
 
Or getting thrown into the next cubicle by turbulence.
     
Atheist
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Apr 23, 2015, 09:33 AM
 
I'm inclined to accept the argument that you get what you pay for... and that the market has spoken... we consumers are willing to put up with almost anything for a cheaper fare.

However, I do think it's getting a little out of hand. I recently got an upgrade to First Class on a USAirways A320 up to DC. My knees were touching the seat in front of me.... in First Class!!! I've never seen such a cramped cabin before.

I guess they are just Greyhound buses in the sky.

Still not sure the gubmint needs to get involved.
     
The Final Dakar
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Apr 23, 2015, 09:45 AM
 
Honestly, I wonder how a 60s airplane flight would compare to todays. Far fewer amenities, but would we be more comfortable? Maybe it'd give us perspective.

Still, if the free market is supposed to help innovate, it's a little disturbing how little it's been able to improve flights in the past 25 years. Most of the improvements (I know of) are mostly lightweight material and cramming more people in like sardines. What's desperately needed is a more efficient method of propulsion.
     
subego
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Apr 23, 2015, 09:57 AM
 
I'll tell you about flights before deregulation.

After the seatbelt sign went off, you flipped up the armrests and stretched out over all three seats because you were the only one in your row.
     
SSharon
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Apr 24, 2015, 12:57 AM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
I'll tell you about flights before deregulation.

After the seatbelt sign went off, you flipped open your zippo and had a smoke.
Fixed that for you.

Anyway, the question in this thread isn't so simple. Many people travel for business and their employers require them to take the cheapest flight. The will of the consumer is shifted in that scenario. Not flying isn't an option and paying out of pocket for first class isn't practical either. There aren't many good options that meet half way.

Maybe the answer is to keep making the seat itself thinner.
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Cap'n Tightpants
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Apr 24, 2015, 09:02 AM
 
I'm not sure about regulated, but I believe airline seat size and area should be standardized.
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The Final Dakar
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Apr 24, 2015, 09:55 AM
 
Originally Posted by Cap'n Tightpants View Post
I'm not sure about regulated, but I believe airline seat size and area should be standardized.
Like, by the industry?

Personally, I'm waiting for this future to take hold:
     
OreoCookie
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Apr 24, 2015, 10:01 AM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
Like, by the industry?

Personally, I'm waiting for this future to take hold:
Even the model's smirk is saying »You can't be serious?!?«
I definitely think seat size should be regulated, especially in countries where obesity is more and more common.
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Cap'n Tightpants
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Apr 24, 2015, 10:15 AM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
Like, by the industry?

Personally, I'm waiting for this future to take hold:
Like the way IEEE standardizes industrial sizes.
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SSharon
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Apr 26, 2015, 09:16 PM
 
Originally Posted by OreoCookie View Post
Even the model's smirk is saying »You can't be serious?!?«
I definitely think seat size should be regulated, especially in countries where obesity is more and more common.
I don't get why airlines obsess over the weight of baggage but not passengers. It seems far more logical to have flat fare for a flight, maybe based on distance, and then an additional fee per pound including the person and luggage.
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subego
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Apr 26, 2015, 09:31 PM
 
This is a PR/marketing nightmare.
     
Cap'n Tightpants
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Apr 26, 2015, 09:59 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
Why don't they just mount a 12" dildo to the seat? It would effectively hold you in place, and let's be honest, it's not like the airline isn't already f*cking you.
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