Why you can't get cheap seats as easily.

The number of economy seats are shrinking. I think the link will work if you don't have a subscription to The WSJ. If not, sorry.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-airlines-shift-to-smaller-jets-for-many-domestic-flights-1429119094

Cheers

No- can't read it. What's the gist of it?

Sorry, I wasn't sure. It opened for me but I do have a subscription.

Airlines are expanding first and business class seating, reducing economy seating and removing bigger airplanes from Domestic routes and substituting smaller ones.

As an example, 767, 757, MD-11 aircraft are replaced by 737 aircraft on domestic routes. Also, economy seats are reduced by ~30% on some transcontinental routes.

Even with fewer seats, revenue is higher because of the big difference between first/biz ticket price and economy.

Cheers

Well, this doesn't surprise me at all. Been happening for many years. As far as I am concerned flying has gotten worse and worse for the average person, which is why I have no desire to fly anywhere soon. Our last flight a number of years ago to Scotland did it for me. I felt like I was in a sardine can. I generally am not claustrophobic, but I was on that flight. We felt squished into the seats and when we stood up our heads practically hit the ceiling in the aisles. This was a United Airlines flight.

Anyway- I have a number of places on my list to visit both in and out of the country, but I keep putting off booking anything because of this. The whole experience between getting to the airport and that whole process when you are there, the waiting, delays, cancellations, the fees. Then the flight itself etc. - ugh! Thank goodness our timeshares our drive-to!

Everything is becoming tighter and smaller. I flew BA business to Dallas a couple of weeks ago, the flight out was on an older 747 with the upper deck. There was plenty of room to spread out and sleep however the return flight was on a newer plane with the newer decor. This time the seat was smaller and harder, very difficult to get comfortable and sleep due to the contours of the seat.

The same goes for internal and short haul flights. Internal business class seats are identical to economy ones, no extra legroom, no middle seat used as a spacer, the only difference is the food and wine served which certainly isn't enough to justify the extra cost. Short haul business still has the central spacer but the legroom is the same. Coming back from Malaga in economy last Friday was the most uncomfortable flight I've experienced with BA and I was in an exit seat. My neighbour next to me informed me that AA appear to be bucking the trend for smaller seats, at least where business is concerned, by introducing the largest business class beds in order to accommodate the average expanding waistline. I've previously avoided AA due to previous poor experiences with US carriers however as they're part of the One World Alliance I may start considering them for future flights.

And we actually pay good money for this torture? Not me anymore unless things change for the better BIGTIME! They should be paying us at this rate.

Southwest just announced a decision to widen their economy seats - can you say counter the culture!

Pompey Family said:

Coming back from Malaga in economy last Friday was the most uncomfortable flight I've experienced with BA and I was in an exit seat.

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I flew BA from Sarajevo (or was it Munich - I don't remember) to London some years back and it was the smallest airline seat I have ever been in (middle seat in economy section). I will never fly them again.

Gophesjo said:

I flew BA from Sarajevo (or was it Munich - I don't remember) to London some years back and it was the smallest airline seat I have ever been in (middle seat in economy section). I will never fly them again.

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They really are going downhill. Once my silver status expires I'm in no hurry to try and maintain it. We're flying Virgin to Miami this year, the price was similar to BA but the product is better. The only reason BA does so well is because of its network, I really do prefer flying direct and often BA is the only choice for the less popular routes plus the lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick are some of the best.

If the US carriers are starting to increase the room in their seats then I may be willing to accept the surly service in return for a comfier flight.

Pompey Family said:

They really are going downhill. Once my silver status expires I'm in no hurry to try and maintain it. We're flying Virgin to Miami this year, the price was similar to BA but the product is better. The only reason BA does so well is because of its network, I really do prefer flying direct and often BA is the only choice for the less popular routes plus the lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick are some of the best.

If the US carriers are starting to increase the room in their seats then I may be willing to accept the surly service in return for a comfier flight.

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What Airline is BA that everyone is referencing?

Sugarcubesea said:

What Airline is BA that everyone is referencing?

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British Airways.

Sugarcubesea said:

What Airline is BA that everyone is referencing?

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There's another not so polite name some use for British Airways and it starts with Bloody Ars......

Cheers

AA might be doing better for business class but their economy class post buyout by USAirways stinks. Unless we're in the exit row they're currently one of our last choices......as if there really is much of a choice for us anymore. Since SWA's has come to town they've moved to the top of our list for domestic flights, but, their routing sometimes leave much to be desired from our hometown airport.

Our son flew Virgin from Boston for business recently across the country for one leg and he said it was great. All the other flights he took were terrible.

mpumilia said:

Our son flew Virgin from Boston for business recently across the country for one leg and he said it was great. All the other flights he took were terrible.

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Virgin is my favorite domestic carrier. They just don't have the routes I need all the time...and I won't pay a lot more to fly them, either. I need LAX-PDX soon and Virgin offers it but only with a stop...which I also won't do. Cheaper and nonstop on other carriers. But when I can fly them, I'm almost always happier at the end of day.


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Ken555 said:

Virgin is my favorite domestic carrier. They just don't have the routes I need all the time...and I won't pay a lot more to fly them, either. I need LAX-PDX soon and Virgin offers it but only with a stop...which I also won't do.

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Agree with you Ken. Virgin used to have directs flights between PDX-LAX, and it was our favorite among domestic carriers. Alas, they no longer have this direct route and you now have to layover in San Francisco -- very inconvenient! So, unfortunately, we stopped flying with them to/from Southern California.

If I'm given a cheap enough flight, I'm willing to fly standing up all the way from JFK to Heathrow/Paris.
Ryanair and Spirit, pay attention!

Gophesjo said:

Southwest just announced a decision to widen their economy seats - can you say counter the culture!

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This is good news, but only on new deliveries from Boeing. They are not retrofitting the existing fleet with the new seats. The evolve seating installed 2 or 3 years ago is awful IMHO. There were three good seats in the exit row. Now one-barely-that has a solid wall separating from seat next door. The remaining seats are narrow and with legroom comparable to other seating. I do like that legacy airlines have added E+.

There isn't much wide body service in the US. Some transcons or hub to hub. Thats about it. In Thailand, all Thai Airways has is wide bodies. Even for their 45 minute intracountry flights you might get a 747. The LCC's do have narrow bodies.

mpumilia said:

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/air-t...campaign=email-2015-04-17-am&utm_medium=email

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Here's a story from this week. It was weather related, but still handled badly by the airline. Kept people on the plane for hours. THEN, if they got off that was their termination-no luggage. 6 hours later flight canceled and bus to Denver. 90 min ride. Should have just done that 2 hours in. I would have been out of my mind.

x3 skier said:

There's another not so polite name some use for British Airways and it starts with Bloody Ars......

Cheers

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Bloody Awful. Is the more polite version. Said with an upper class British accent.

Gophesjo said:

Southwest just announced a decision to widen their economy seats - can you say counter the culture!

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A friend of mine would prefer an upgrade to their automatons capabilities. He just got an awful diversion to hang out on the tarmac in the middle of nowhere as Denver was fogged in and swa does not spec advanced aautoland so had to divert.

As much as I don't like driving anywhere over 8 hours for a vacation, when you consider it takes at least 1 1/2 hours for us to get to the airport. (we srping for a car service) We have to be there 2 hours ahead of time (so that is 3 hours right there). Then- you have to hope there are no delays. Then, the whole rotten experience, including at least one stop and a maybe a layover. Then, getting out of the airport- getting your rental car and traveling to your destination. Heck- I just might reconsider a longer drive to a vacation destination in the future.

I have personally noticed this thing. I find it weird too because the patricians should be based on facilities that the airlines provides to their passenger. Because that is the most necessary part of it.