As many of you know, the economy class in any airplane is used to accommodate passengers traveling on the cheapest class of ticket, and offer only the most basic amenities, typically with limited toilet use, no privacy, and poor food.

For example, the 303 economy passengers crowded into the cabin of so elegant and roomy an aircraft as the Airbus A380, of British Airways, are positively packed like cattle, making a walk in the aisles when the air is smooth, absolutely impossible, while to breathe clean air seated in turbulence, when seated in 42E is an equal impossibility. The stenches become unbearable, and many of the passengers have to be forced into their seats; for they prefer the nausea and danger of turbulence to the cramps while seated. The division between the sexes is not carefully looked after, and the young women who are quartered among the old sketchy businessmen have neither the privacy to which they are entitled nor are they much more protected than if they were living promiscuously.

The food, which is miserable, is dealt out of beaten-up carts into mass-produced plastic trays provided by the airline. When it is distributed, the more annoying passengers push and crowd, so that meals are anything but orderly procedures. On the whole, economy class in the modern airliner ought to be condemned as unfit for the transportation of human beings. Take for example, premium economy which costs about twice as much as economy and sometimes not twice so much; yet a premium economy seat on the British Airways Airbus A380 has twice as much room, much more recline and is better protected against the scourges of DVT. Eight sit in a comfortable row, which is well and comfortably furnished; while in economy 10 tiny seats in crammed in each 31 inch section, one after the other, with little light and no comforts. In premium economy the food is excellent, is partaken of with actual silverware, is well cooked and well served; while in the economy the unsavory rations are not served, but doled out, with less courtesy than one would find in a charity soup kitchen.

Economy class ought to be and could be abolished by law. On many airlines, even drinking water is grudgingly given, and on United, several years ago, we had literally to steal water for economy class from economy plus, and that of course while the FAs are gossiping in the gallery. On many journeys, particularly on the ilks of Ryanair, the bread was absolutely uneatable, and was thrown into the trash by the irate travelers.