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Think flying is bad now? Wait 'til you see this

Blues

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http://finance.yahoo.com/news/think-flying-is-bad-now--wait-till-you-see-this-125711539.html

"While shrinking the chairs is a start, Airbus has even more radical plans for increasing revenue in the next generation of planes. The company has filed a patent for seats that stretch the definition of what sitting even means. The new plan is to minimize the size of each row by having passengers lean back into cushions that resemble bike seats and strap themselves into place with seat belts. With the entire row of seats will be fixed to a common bar, allowing it be folded and stored when not in use. No seat back, no tray table and no legroom at all. Just a plane full of passengers trapped in a semi-squating position for however long the journey may take.

Airbus acknowledges that passenger comfort is an afterthought but says it’s an acceptable tradeoff. 'Reduced comfort remains tolerable for the passengers in as much as the flight lasts only one or a few hours,' the patent states."
 

klpca

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DeniseM

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We just got back from 3 weeks in Hawaii - where I created a monster.

We flew first class for the first time, and my 6'3" DH said he will never fly steerage again.

Now, it's not that I didn't want to book first class flights before, but he is cheap, :D and wouldn't go for it. But when I checked in online I had a chance to upgrade to first class for $100 ea. (original seats were booked with miles) and I thought, "Why not?" and I did it without discussing it with him.

Back to the original post - how in the heck will they accommodate large, handicapped, or pregnant people on those bicycle seats??? How about squirmy kids? I can't think of any situation where I'd book a flight on one of those. :rolleyes:
 
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artringwald

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We just got back from 3 weeks in Hawaii - where I created a monster.

We flew first class for the first time, and my 6'3" DH said he will never fly steerage again.

Now, it's not that I didn't want to book first class flights before, but he is cheap, :D and wouldn't go for it. But when I checked in online I had a chance to upgrade to first class for $100 ea. (original seats were booked with miles) and I thought, "Why not?" and I did it without discussing it with him.

Back to the original post - how in the heck will they accommodate large, handicapped, or pregnant people on those bicycle seats??? How about squirmy kids? I can't think of any situation where I'd book a flight on one of those. :rolleyes:

I blame my neighbor for getting us hooked on 1st class. They got married in Hawaii and celebrated their anniversary each year with a 1st class trip to Hawaii. When we booked with miles and got a cheap upgrade to first class, we got spoiled. It can be expensive, and maybe means spending fewer days in Hawaii, but for such a long flight it's worth it. Alaska Airlines seems to have the lowest 1st fares, and you can use miles to help pay for some of it.

And no, I will not fly in an airplane without real seats, not even for a 30 minute inter-island flight.
 

DaveNV

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We just got back from 3 weeks in Hawaii - where I created a monster.

We flew first class for the first time, and my 6'3" DH said he will never fly steerage again.

Now, it's not that I didn't want to book first class flights before, but he is cheap, :D and wouldn't go for it. But when I checked in online I had a chance to upgrade to first class for $100 ea. (original seats were booked with miles) and I thought, "Why not?" and I did it without discussing it with him.

Back to the original post - how in the heck will they accommodate large, handicapped, or pregnant people on those bicycle seats??? How about squirmy kids? I can't think of any situation where I'd book a flight on one of those. :rolleyes:

I feel your pain. You'll note your Alaska Airlines Companion Fare no longer allows First Class bookings. It's Coach only. When I first got the card, I would use it to book First Class seats to Hawaii. Buy one ticket, get a Companion ticket for the ~hundred bucks. A win-win. Made the trip much better for a million reasons. But then they downgraded the Companion Fare thing, and that brought First Class travel to Hawaii to an end. Dang it.

If I had enough miles, it might make a difference. But if using that Companion Fare, all bets are off.

Dave
 

pedro47

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When we are flying more than four (4) hours non stop. First class for us is the only way to go.
 

am1

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As prices increase people will adapt. For short haul flights it may not be so bad. Long haul it would still beat the bus.

Not everyone can afford first class so different price points work.
 

Ken555

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There's absolutely no friggin way I would ever board a flight that had a seat which didn't include a seat back. I don't care how short the flight is, that's just absolutely unacceptable.

Frankly, even if Airbus does create a plane in this configuration I doubt it's intended for the North American market.


Sent from my iPad
 

dougp26364

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Profits might be up 20% but our flying is down 30% this year and will be down 50% next year. Eventually they'll lose the lea sure market. Vacations for us are now being booked around spending a night on the way to/from destinations or, destinations we can arrive at it less than 10 hours on the road. We will continue to fly when going to the coast and, of coarse when we go to Hawaii but, otherwise we're looking to drive and, since we're driving, resorts that allow us to take our Scottie's with us.
 

x3 skier

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Can't remember when I flew in Steerage when First Class was available. Even on my consulting jobs if First Class isn't authorized by the client, I buy a refundable Steerage fare which is almost immediately upgraded to the front of the bus.

I assume Ryanair, Alliegent and Spirit will be the first to buy the Bicycle Seat cabins. :rolleyes:

Cheers
 

PClapham

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Steerage upgrade on what airline? I might try that!

Abita
 

DeniseM

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Steerage upgrade on what airline? I might try that!

Abita

I'm sure you have to have Elite Status with the airline (lots of flying) to get free upgrades.
 

x3 skier

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Steerage upgrade on what airline? I might try that!

Abita

Most have what is called a Y UP fare which is a full fare coach ticket. You are upgraded immediately if the cabin is some number less than full (no clue what % it is) and if not immediately, you are placed in a list ahead of any free upgrades to elite status members. It's not guaranteed but I have never had to ride in Steerage on a Y UP on AA or whatever DL calls it. Don't fly Delta anymore if I can avoid it.

Best to check discounted First ticket price first as they are sometimes lower than full fare Steerage which is the only fare that gets the upgrade without status or miles of additional cash AFAIK.

With the changes that are making airlines profitable again, this fare may have vanished since I used last year on several trips.

Cheers
 
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x3 skier

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I'm sure you have to have Elite Status with the airline (lots of flying) to get free upgrades.

Unless the fare rules have changed since last year when I bought a ticket this way, no status in required on a Y UP fare but it may move you to the head of the que if you aren't upgraded immediately. I don't know how it works but I have never failed to be upgraded, status or no status.

Of course when it's on my dime, I used to gamble on my status getting me upgraded on a cheapo fare which was around a 50/50 chance in my travels. Now I either use miles to upgrade or buy discounted First or just bite the bullet.

Cheers
 
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WinniWoman

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Profits might be up 20% but our flying is down 30% this year and will be down 50% next year. Eventually they'll lose the lea sure market. Vacations for us are now being booked around spending a night on the way to/from destinations or, destinations we can arrive at it less than 10 hours on the road. We will continue to fly when going to the coast and, of coarse when we go to Hawaii but, otherwise we're looking to drive and, since we're driving, resorts that allow us to take our Scottie's with us.

I'm with you. The thought of flying anywhere anymore makes me ill. Worrying about how to pack and the luggage rules. Getting a car to bring us to the airport (2hours away). Having to be at the airport 2 hours ahead of time. Being cramped like sardines. No food. Delays. Turbulence. Disrespectful passengers and airline staff.

Who needs this? We should be charging them to fly! I do want to go to Italy someday, as well as some national parks across the country and the Caribbean, but I keep procrastinating because of the hassle and expense and uncomfortableness of flying, so we have been just driving the 6 hours to our timeshare and are booking additional vacations to places under 8 hours drive- with little or no traffic. Vacations are for relaxing- not stress.
 
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