Originally Posted by
bernardd
That seems to be a very pedantic point. The difference in comfort between 31" & 32" pitch also depends on the design of the seat, the amount of recline and a bunch of other things, for example I believe BA installed "skinny" coach seats which they claim are more comfortable (they would do, wouldn't they?) though I've never tried them. For me the real test is can I work on my notebook when the guy in front reclines his seat? If I can't the ~10 hour daylight flight from Europe to TX becomes VERY long which is why I've been driven out of AA despite my near 2 million AAdvantage miles. Maybe that's the point CO ought to take on board when they declare there's no need for a third class. Unless they've figured out how to get BF prices down closer to $1,500 round trip to TX-LON?
I believe that for most travelers there is a real difference between 31" and 32" seat pitch. Rembember, seat pitch measures the distance from the back of one seat to the back of the seat in front, so that the actual "legroom" portion of seat pitch in a 31" configuration will be about 5". Therefore, 1" extra inch of seat pitch will add about 20% in legroom.
I do agree that seat design has a lot to do with comfort in Y and here it is pretty unanimously agreed that the seat that CO has been using is easily one of the most uncomfortable in the sky.
As far as using your laptop, I know this is not easy in 32" seat pitch on AA, but, as you know, it's truly impossible on CO where not only do they have less seat pitch but also more seat recline than any other airline.