Posted on 04/24/2006 8:41:25 PM PDT by Babu
The airlines have come up with a new answer to the old question: How many passengers can be squeezed into economy class?
A lot more, it turns out, especially if an idea still in the early stage should come to pass: standing-room-only "seats."
But even short of that option, carriers have been slipping in another row or two of seats in coach by exploiting stronger, lighter materials developed by seat manufacturers that allow for slimmer seatbacks. The thinner seats theoretically could be used to give passengers more legroom but, in practice, the airlines have been keeping the same amount of space between seats to accommodate the additional seats.
The result is an additional six seats on a typical Boeing 737, and as many as 12 new seats on a Boeing 757.
Airbus has been quietly pitching the standing-room-only option to Asian carriers, though none has agreed to it yet. Passengers in the standing section would be propped against a padded backboard, held in place with a harness, according to seating experts who have seen a proposal.
That the airlines are even considering such things is the result of several factors. High fuel costs are making it difficult for carriers to turn a profit. The new seat technology not only allows airlines to add more places for passengers, it also reduces a seat's weight by up to 15 pounds, or 7 kilograms, limiting fuel consumption. A typical seat in economy class now weighs 74 to 82 pounds.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Another great reason not to fly, as if we needed one.
Hey.....we were offered a "standing room only" place on an Amtrak from Portland to Seattle once.....we said, NO THANK YOU, and got off the train and drove.
Flying brooms is so much more comfortable [an INDIVIDUAL broom - just imagine! Better than the first class - no boardings, missed connections or lost luggage], quieter and cheaper...
What's next, duct tape them to the wings?
Airbust Ping Alert ...
A hard landing would result in hundreds of broken legs. I cannot imagine this idea getting any traction.
They could, in hives, like the micro-hotels.
Had that happen to us going from Philly to Boston. No seats until NYC.
I'd rather them but racks of bunks straight up and down than stand.
I'm thinking of fixing up a large dog crate & flying cargo class. Load it up with pillows, snacks, drinks, laptop, & a mayonaise jar for delayed flights.
Sounds like first class to me!
Greyhound should think about cashing in on this. Set up cabins like Amtrack does and schedule straight thru routes to major hubs.
Heck with the duct tape. Just tell em to grab the wing and hold on.
If you lose your grip and fall off at 35,000 feet well I'm sorry that was a non refundable fare.
Not to mention a routine take off. Then there's turbulance. Is this article from the Onion? Good grief if they want to be that cheap about it use some lessons from military cargo planes. Place netted seats on the plane. I'd take that over breaking my neck standing up.
Every time I flew, I had to fully sit back in the seat and my knees still touched the back of the seat in front of me. And when the person reclined, I damn near had numb legs and knees by the time we landed. I'm 6'3 at 232.
I feel you. The joys of having wide shoulders and long legs in economy are indescribable. I personally like to lean into the aisle so I can get nailed by the drinks cart as it comes by.
As for the standing option- heck, for short haul (under 90 minutes) I wouldn't mind being strapped in and standing.
But a typical passenger in economy class now weighs . . . oh, never mind.
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