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Airline Seating and the Long Flight

By Ken Montville

I admit it. I'm a big guy. No, not tall. Wide. I guess even by today's standards, I'm overweight. Yeah. I know what to do: Eat less, Exercise more.

My size is really bought home to me when it comes time to get on an airplane. I don't fly that often and depending on the airline (or maybe it's the plane), I either fit or I don't.

I recently had a business conference in Phoenix, AZ which, unfortunately for me, is a 5.5 hour flight from Baltimore/Washington International Airport - my closest airport. I got to the airport in plenty of time to get through security since I heard they had beefed everything up since the failed Christmas airline bombing. I wanted to make sure I made the plane.

Security was a breeze. Maybe it was the time of day my flight took off but there were no long lines or unusual delays. I was a happy camper until I got on the plane. It seems that the airlines are attempting to add more and more seats to the planes nowadays in order to cram as many passengers as possible on the plane. I was crunched into a window seat (no way could I have done the middle seat thing and I felt bad for the person who eventually sat there)and sat there with my arms folded in front of me, trying my best to get as close to the window as possible to allow my seat mate some room. It was horrible.

Luckily, my seat mates decided to get up about half way through the flight to stretch which allowed me to stretch a bit, too. All in all, though, it was like being packed into a can of sardines.

I get the part about airlines needing to carry as many passengers as possible in order to keep prices low. For my part, though, I would rather pay extra to have more seating room. I understand the airlines may be encouraging this by having people who are, er "circumferentially challenged" buy two seats. This may be my fate. Of course, I could go on the Fail Safe Diet: Eat Less and Exercise more.

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I detest commercial airline travel and am saving up for a private jet (only another $14,999,920 to go). I don't understand why consumers tolerate the way they are treated by airlines. It is nice of you to be considerate to the passenger next to you, but his/her predicament isn't your problem. Stretch out and tell him/her to take it up with the airline. The more squeezed passengers complain vociferously about their situation the sooner these practices will get reversed. You definitely shouldn't need to buy two seats even if you are truly gargantuan (and having seen you on YouTube I know you're not), because airlines charge by the person not by the pound of flesh or cubic feet of space consumed. So they have no right to compell you to pay more.

First, Nick, thanks for visiting my YouTube channel and the kind words.

Second, with under 15 mil left to go for your private jet you should be able to get one any day.

Third, It's a damn shame that way airlines are run. They go after every penny of profit (and I am definitely pro-profit) at the expense of customer satisfaction. My thinking is that if they paid more attention to customer satisfaction, the profit would follow. They probably have lots of analysis, though, that shows customers really only care about price.

One thing to look for if you have to fly economy (as is my place these days) is the exit row. These always have extra legroom, and sometimes more space between the seats as well.

Unfortunately some airlines have now realised that passengers want the exit row, so they are either asking you to pay more, or allocating them to more frequent fliers in preference. I haven't had one for a couple of years now.

My ex wife was wide, and if the seat belt is too short for you, you can ask for an extension. She did once and never returned it at the end of the flight, taking it with her on every subsequent journey. Just a thought in case you needed this.

The biggest problem I face these days is that flights are almost always full, and often overbooked too, so not only are you cramped in your seat, there are no empty seats around you.

Thanks for the tip. I've been flying Southwest when I can and, of course, they really don't have assigned seating except for the A and B (they now have "Business Class" which costs more). I had to get one of those extension things on this last flight to Phoenix and back. It's really a wake up call about my weight! Still, it would be nice if there was a little more room, generally, on these domestic flights.

It's all about money isn't it. The more people they can squeeze in on a flight, the more money they can make - or more likely these days, the smaller loss.

What I don't understand is how they can justify cutting out the small packet of peanuts/pretzels on a flight. They still serve drinks in flight, but how much does a tiny snack cost? Peanuts literally! Even if a packet cost $1 (item cost, storage, catering services, fuesl on plane etc) I don't think anyone would notice the extra cost on their ticket. They do however notice the fact that there is nothing to munch on during the flight.

I agree with you, when you start having to ask for a seatbelt extension, it's time to re-think your lifestyle, not just diet but also exercise. It's not easy, and I am overweight too, but having lost 25lbs in the last 3 years I do feel a lot more energized than I did before. I also have less backache and "usually" sleep better. Wishing you luck.

Thanks, Poddys. Yep. The weight thing is definitely something I need to work on without a doubt. I think you're on to something with the snacks, though. Although, I remember when most, if not all airlines, served in-flight meals (sandwiches and the like).

I remember the sandwiches too, usually something decent to eat on a flight over 2 1/2 hours, like Chicago to Miami.

I used to fly American regularly on that route and got Free upgrades to First Class (those were the days), and remember some nice meals served on real plates with real cutlery, followed by (if you were lucky) a freshly made Haagen Daz Ice Cream Sundae, with the toppings of your choice. Before the meal you got a bowl of hot mixed nuts too, and they were so good! Not doing your weight problem any good am I lol :)

I flew first class one time in my life. It was a huge treat. I didn't get the deluxe meal you are talking about...but close.

Thank you for sharing, Ken.
People are generally larger today then they were in the 50's and 60's. Have the seats been made any larger?
Keep up the good intels.
Frederick

Amazing, huh? Agri-business works hard to keep us eating all kinds of high calorie food and the airlines make sure we remember it!

I liked this intel because I know these issues. I think this is a worldwide problem and I suspect it can only be solved if you all get together for changes. Otherwise, this "uncomfortable" situation will persist... for airlines are not interested.

No, the airlines are not interested. They know they need to keep prices low to compete so they cram as many people on as they can. I wish there was another way but for those long trips, there isn't.

Shiva Tantrika Jan 14, 2010 22:25

I'm not big at all, but I find airplanes to be very uncomfortable, claustrophobia inducing! The unfortunate thing is there are few other options in many cases so you're stuck putting up with the terrible conditions.

They're really claustrophobic on the long domestic flights. The planes are not that big, the aisles are very narrow and the seats are ridiculous. But, what can you do? If you have to get there you either need to plan for a long car, train or bus ride or squeeze onto a plane.

Your article reminded me of an email my mother send to me several years ago. I turned it into a webpage like many of my mother's emails and that webpage still place #1 on Google for deseatful deseatful .

It is about stagecoaches and the same problem you are experiencing today on airplanes.

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