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New airline seats put comfort at a premium price
Airline industry insiders try out the Italian company Aviointeriors S.P.A, new "Skyride" standing seat, which aims to allow airlines to cram more passengers onto budget flights, at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Long Beach on Sept. 16. The new "Saddle" style seat will give passengers 23 inches of legroom, instead of the industry average of 30 inches. The makers say it would only be suitable for flights up to three hours duration. (MARK RALSTON, AFP/Getty Images / September 16, 2010)
Once upon a time airline seats were comfortable, or at least that's how many passengers remember them.
Airlines have quietly crammed more seats onto their planes in the past couple of years. And even though they have scrapped galleys and installed thinner seat cushions to do so,the cabin still feels tighter, because flights are running fuller and it's rare that a middle seat goes empty.
Discount carriers Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air have gone a step further, eliminating the seat recline function altogether in a bid to generate more revenue.
"If you're a low cost carrier you have to look at these moves," to stay competitive on price, said Matt Daimler, founder of SeatGuru.com. The Web site tracks airline-seating information and makes seat pitch data available to the public.
Booking on an aircraft where seat rows are spaced further apart can mean as much as two inches of extra legroom. And most airlines are selling exit row and bulkhead seating for passengers who want a little extra space.
Most mainline U.S. carriers follow a standard seat pitch of 30-31 inches, Daimler said. Seat pitch refers to the amount of space from any point on one seat and the exact same point on the seat in front or behind it. It can be an indication of legroom, though the definition has become blurred as airlines use different measurement methods to suit their own marketing purposes, Daimler said.
Of the U.S. air carriers, JetBlue offers coach passengers the most room: 34 inches between rows. And passengers can purchase seatswith "extra legroom" starting at $10 per flight segment, an option that will give them four extra inches between rows.
"When you get on a plane the first thing most people do is jack that seat back," said Joel Feldman, a JetBlue passenger who frequently flies between New York and South Florida. "When you have that extra space, it makes a difference."
Some airlines pack as many bodies on the plane as possible to gain short-term profits and don't seem to care if passengers ever fly them again, JetBlue Airways CEO Dave Barger said, in a recent interview at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
"People don't like those airlines," Barger said. By offering more legroom, JetBlue has set itself apart from the crowd and won the loyalty of passengers, he said.
Spirit Airlines offers passengers about 28 inches of seat pitch on its four new Airbus 320 aircraft, which feature 178 seats that don't allow a recline function. Company officials say their "pre-reclined" seats are designed to be lightweight, offering greater fuel economy and minimizing maintenance costs associated with broken seat backs.
"The lightweight design substantially lowers our fuel consumption, which is one of our greatest operating costs," Spirit's Chief Marketing Officer Barry Biffle, said in an April press release. "As a result, we can pass these cost savings along to our customers."
The Miramar-based carrier is recognized as an "ultra low cost carrier" whose base fares often are lower than other discounters such as JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways. That alone is a draw for many customers who aren't looking for comfort so much as a cheap ticket.
Spirit passenger Linda Lampinen of Brick, N.J. flies on Spirit's new A-320s every couple of months between New York and Fort Lauderdale.
"It's only a two hour flight," Lampinen said. "I'd rather save the money."
She claims the non-reclining seats have less padding, making them more comfortable than reclining seats on the airline's fleet. But even with the recline function, Spirit doesn't offer passengers much space, Lampinen said.
Offering passengers more legroom for free has not been a winning formula for the airlines. American tried a 34-inch pitch for a few years but gave up in 2005. Three airlines offered 33-inch seat pitch in 2005, but Song went defunct, Midwest cut back to 31" and Frontier also cut back to 31" or 32" and started charging for 36-inch "Stretch seats" last year.
On most domestic carriers, fliers have the option of paying for seat upgrades. Passengers should do their research to make sure they're getting a desired benefit if they're paying extra, experts say.
"The big challenge for consumers is now having to figure out what they're actually getting for the extra money," Daimler said. Each airline has different seat upgrade offerings, which are uniquely marketed and priced, he said.
United, for example, has an "Economy Plus" offering that gives coach fliers "up to 5 extra inches of legroom". Prices start at $9 per flight for short trips and cost more than $100 each way on long trips.
Virgin America offers bulkhead seats, dubbed "Main Cabin Select" for $35 per segment on short routes, $55 per segment on medium routes and $110 per segment on long routes.
Some discounter airlines sell larger, more comfy seats for less than business class fares at most mainline carriers.
AirTran offers upgrades to its "Business Class" from any fare at the airport on a first-come, first served basis for $49-$99 per flight segment or from higher economy fares in advance. Spirit offers "the Big Front Seat," which offers passengers five more inches of legroom and no middle seat, for an additional charge starting at $25 per segment per passenger.
"A little extra padding, seat width, or legroom can make a big difference, and for many, it's well worth paying a bit extra," George Hobica, founder of airfarewatchdog.com, said in an e-mail.
Being loyal to an airline can also help passengers enjoy the perks such as free cabin class upgrades and access to exit row seating, without having to endure the extra cost, he said.
"Upgrading with frequent flyer miles is often the best way to get some extra wiggle room," Hobica said.
Feldman, 65, said if he usually flies first class or business class on long flights or when traveling for business.
There's one exception: "If JetBlue goes there, I save the money and fly JetBlue," Feldman said. "It's almost like flying first-class or business-class but without the food, and I don't need that anyway."
Jaclyn Giovis can be reached at 954-356-4668 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 954-356-4668 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or [email protected]
Airline industry insiders try out the Italian company Aviointeriors S.P.A, new "Skyride" standing seat, which aims to allow airlines to cram more passengers onto budget flights, at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Long Beach on Sept. 16. The new "Saddle" style seat will give passengers 23 inches of legroom, instead of the industry average of 30 inches. The makers say it would only be suitable for flights up to three hours duration. (MARK RALSTON, AFP/Getty Images / September 16, 2010)
Once upon a time airline seats were comfortable, or at least that's how many passengers remember them.
Airlines have quietly crammed more seats onto their planes in the past couple of years. And even though they have scrapped galleys and installed thinner seat cushions to do so,the cabin still feels tighter, because flights are running fuller and it's rare that a middle seat goes empty.
Discount carriers Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air have gone a step further, eliminating the seat recline function altogether in a bid to generate more revenue.
"If you're a low cost carrier you have to look at these moves," to stay competitive on price, said Matt Daimler, founder of SeatGuru.com. The Web site tracks airline-seating information and makes seat pitch data available to the public.
Booking on an aircraft where seat rows are spaced further apart can mean as much as two inches of extra legroom. And most airlines are selling exit row and bulkhead seating for passengers who want a little extra space.
Most mainline U.S. carriers follow a standard seat pitch of 30-31 inches, Daimler said. Seat pitch refers to the amount of space from any point on one seat and the exact same point on the seat in front or behind it. It can be an indication of legroom, though the definition has become blurred as airlines use different measurement methods to suit their own marketing purposes, Daimler said.
Of the U.S. air carriers, JetBlue offers coach passengers the most room: 34 inches between rows. And passengers can purchase seatswith "extra legroom" starting at $10 per flight segment, an option that will give them four extra inches between rows.
"When you get on a plane the first thing most people do is jack that seat back," said Joel Feldman, a JetBlue passenger who frequently flies between New York and South Florida. "When you have that extra space, it makes a difference."
Some airlines pack as many bodies on the plane as possible to gain short-term profits and don't seem to care if passengers ever fly them again, JetBlue Airways CEO Dave Barger said, in a recent interview at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
"People don't like those airlines," Barger said. By offering more legroom, JetBlue has set itself apart from the crowd and won the loyalty of passengers, he said.
Spirit Airlines offers passengers about 28 inches of seat pitch on its four new Airbus 320 aircraft, which feature 178 seats that don't allow a recline function. Company officials say their "pre-reclined" seats are designed to be lightweight, offering greater fuel economy and minimizing maintenance costs associated with broken seat backs.
"The lightweight design substantially lowers our fuel consumption, which is one of our greatest operating costs," Spirit's Chief Marketing Officer Barry Biffle, said in an April press release. "As a result, we can pass these cost savings along to our customers."
The Miramar-based carrier is recognized as an "ultra low cost carrier" whose base fares often are lower than other discounters such as JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways. That alone is a draw for many customers who aren't looking for comfort so much as a cheap ticket.
Spirit passenger Linda Lampinen of Brick, N.J. flies on Spirit's new A-320s every couple of months between New York and Fort Lauderdale.
"It's only a two hour flight," Lampinen said. "I'd rather save the money."
She claims the non-reclining seats have less padding, making them more comfortable than reclining seats on the airline's fleet. But even with the recline function, Spirit doesn't offer passengers much space, Lampinen said.
Offering passengers more legroom for free has not been a winning formula for the airlines. American tried a 34-inch pitch for a few years but gave up in 2005. Three airlines offered 33-inch seat pitch in 2005, but Song went defunct, Midwest cut back to 31" and Frontier also cut back to 31" or 32" and started charging for 36-inch "Stretch seats" last year.
On most domestic carriers, fliers have the option of paying for seat upgrades. Passengers should do their research to make sure they're getting a desired benefit if they're paying extra, experts say.
"The big challenge for consumers is now having to figure out what they're actually getting for the extra money," Daimler said. Each airline has different seat upgrade offerings, which are uniquely marketed and priced, he said.
United, for example, has an "Economy Plus" offering that gives coach fliers "up to 5 extra inches of legroom". Prices start at $9 per flight for short trips and cost more than $100 each way on long trips.
Virgin America offers bulkhead seats, dubbed "Main Cabin Select" for $35 per segment on short routes, $55 per segment on medium routes and $110 per segment on long routes.
Some discounter airlines sell larger, more comfy seats for less than business class fares at most mainline carriers.
AirTran offers upgrades to its "Business Class" from any fare at the airport on a first-come, first served basis for $49-$99 per flight segment or from higher economy fares in advance. Spirit offers "the Big Front Seat," which offers passengers five more inches of legroom and no middle seat, for an additional charge starting at $25 per segment per passenger.
"A little extra padding, seat width, or legroom can make a big difference, and for many, it's well worth paying a bit extra," George Hobica, founder of airfarewatchdog.com, said in an e-mail.
Being loyal to an airline can also help passengers enjoy the perks such as free cabin class upgrades and access to exit row seating, without having to endure the extra cost, he said.
"Upgrading with frequent flyer miles is often the best way to get some extra wiggle room," Hobica said.
Feldman, 65, said if he usually flies first class or business class on long flights or when traveling for business.
There's one exception: "If JetBlue goes there, I save the money and fly JetBlue," Feldman said. "It's almost like flying first-class or business-class but without the food, and I don't need that anyway."
Jaclyn Giovis can be reached at 954-356-4668 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 954-356-4668 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or [email protected]
