Would it be so hard to install some foot rests?
 

Why don't airlines do this small effort for their customers, especially in economy? It seems like it would be an inexpensive, yet welcome gesture -- that people sitting in the back don't have to have a completely comfortless journey. Especially on long-haul international, maybe this would even prevent some cases of DVT?

What's stopping them from doing this, is it so hard/expensive?

Aside from the additional costs involved in purchasing, installing and maintaining these footrests, believe it or not there is an additional expense for the fuel involved in carrying the extra weight around. I would have thought it would be negligable really but the airlines have used this as reason for removing other inflight amenities (ie; phones). Also, TWA installed footrests on all of their a/c at one time - not too long ago either (in the early-mid 90's) and took them out after not too long. I don't recall why but it apparently just didn't work for them.

Based on the info on their website, AirNZ have footrests in Economy - but people seem to say that AirNZ has the best economy product on the market.

I often wondered about this myself. I find it hard to believe that on 2 class FC cabins u won't even have footrests. They really do make a world of difference in the comfort level of flying. I mean if the reason is extra fuel costs then hell just pad the cost into the ticket like they do everything else.

I think NH has footrests in economy as well. It does make a difference.

Malaysian airlines has footrests in economy too.

British Midland also offer footrests on their long-haul flights. I seem to remember Virgin having footrests, too, but I'm not certain.

Alitalia have footrests on some of their MD-80s, but that alone is not good enough reason to fly with them.

Be careful of what you ask for. CX has footrests for economy pax. The trouble is that when you try to extend your legs in front of the seat in frnt of you, your shins hit against the nice hard metal bar. I'm not that tall at 5'10" but I prefer to have no footrests in CX economy.

This thread is a general travel subject, and belongs in "TravelBuzz", rather than "MilesBuzz".

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Craig6z
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