A Modest Proposal
 

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.

A Modest Proposal
 

If they get rid of economy and make it all economy-plus are you willing to pay for it? Everything is market-driven, if everybody objected to economy and didn't pay to fly it, things would change.

Most aren't willing to pay more and prefer to, or can only, pay the lowest cost possible. Most people seem perfectly content in economy, so I think your view if it is the exception.

I hate flying in economy, so I pay not to.

Pretty funny post. The forced into their seats and limited toilet use were quite laughable.

How many of the airlines that tried to be all business class are still around?

People won't pay the additional fee required for less seats and more space on a plane.

A Modest Proposal
 

Take a boat then. Stop complaining. .

Oh. I get it.

Lots of attempts at all-premium air carriers have failed. Some all-premium limited flights such as LCY-JFK appear to do OK, but reports are that even those are not for that long if they can't uptick their revenue.

All supply & demand. There's apparently demand for rock bottom prices with zero to minimum service.

And here I thought you were going to advocate use of Irish children in meal service...

Somebody has too much free time on his hands. Has Dickins been resurrected?

This Modest Proposal did a fine job being satirical just like its namesake. (golf clap).

I was expecting that you were proposing to go standing-room only. :D

If you do not like economy class, you have other choices. No one is forcing you into that economy seat.

The traveling public, as a whole, is not willing to pay for more elegant flying... they are too price conscious. The airlines are losing money as it is; expect them to do anything that would continue the losses?

...along with small houses, small cars, hoarding, fast food, dumb threads, tap water in Las Vegas, ...., we could come up with 1000s of things that aren't luxurious and simply BAN them. Problem solved! :rolleyes:

what an absurd rant.""the stench is unbearable ...young women....skecthy old biz men....premium economy the food is excellent......doled out with less courtesy than a soup kitchen.......
this is utter nonsense. this person, if these are their beliefs is very sick, and should search for professional help.

i cannot really state how little i respect this person and my real opinions of them, as i would be suspended.

Some of the reactions and replies in this thread have not been too swift.;)

I propose that airlines offer water bottle filling stations and ice dispensers like they do at airports. Even better why not offer soda machines in the galley's along with self-serve coffee or even self-serve cans setup in a galley like area. You could put snacks there too.

On international flights when I'm hungry I go over there and find it much better than waiting for a flight attendant. I take a few of the orange juice filled cups and it works well. They could have cookies, nuts and other snacks available on flights of 2 hours and more.

If I were designing an airplane there would be self-service stations throughout the Y cabin with an area that allow passengers to stretch their legs.

On short flights if I'm not given water so be it I always have my trusty water bottle filled up at the airport before I fly and sip on the cold ice water.