Flying Coach Sucks
Nov 7, 2006 | 4:29 pm
#1
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Flying Coach Sucks
The notion that having to fly in Coach sucks is not new, on FT or elsewhere, but I thought people might appreciate reading an article from Ed Perkins, editor of the now-defunct Consumer Reports Travel Letter:
http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i1617...6&u=3F56ACFB92
Particularly upsetting that Boeing wanted to configure its 787 Dreamliner with 8 seats across, and the airlines insist on 9. NOW would be the time for AA to experiment with bringing back MRTC on selected flights (they've experimented with selling food, why not with this?). People really deserve better than this, even if they're apparently not willing to pay for it. An Airline Traveler's Bill of Rights would certainly help by defining minimum pitch and seat width, IMHO.
http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i1617...6&u=3F56ACFB92
Particularly upsetting that Boeing wanted to configure its 787 Dreamliner with 8 seats across, and the airlines insist on 9. NOW would be the time for AA to experiment with bringing back MRTC on selected flights (they've experimented with selling food, why not with this?). People really deserve better than this, even if they're apparently not willing to pay for it. An Airline Traveler's Bill of Rights would certainly help by defining minimum pitch and seat width, IMHO.
Last edited by Roadrunner2; Nov 7, 2006 at 4:47 pm
Nov 7, 2006 | 4:41 pm
#2
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Originally Posted by Roadrunner2
Particularly upsetting that Boeing wanted to configure its 787 Dreamliner with 8 seats across, and the airlines insist on 9. NOW would be the time for AA to experiment with bringing back MRTC on selected flights (they've experimented with selling food, why not with this?). People really deserve better than this, even if they're apparently not willing to pay for it. An Airline Traveler's Bill of Rights would certainly help by defining minimum pitch and seat width, IMHO.
Nov 7, 2006 | 5:16 pm
#3
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I've sat in coach and, while I don't like it, I can't really argue that the seat pitch is below a minimum that a "Bill of Rights" would need to improve. I'm 5'11", and the pitch is far from inhumane. Comfortable? Not really...that's why I upgrade. But my not liking it doesn't mean that a wider pitch should be legislated in some "Bill of Rights".
But, yeah, coach sucks.
Cheers.
But, yeah, coach sucks.
Cheers.
Nov 7, 2006 | 5:25 pm
#4
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There is another solution: more people should start thinking about losing weight. I'm 5'9", but at 150 lbs, coach class isn't that bad. I'm actually thinking of trying to shed at least another 20 lbs by the end of next year...
Nov 7, 2006 | 5:27 pm
#5
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THey'll be able to slide you into the coat closet at that point 
Seriously, though, girth is not terribly relevant to leg room. I'm notwhere near 150, but I can comfortable fit into the width of the seat with room to spare. While the legroom is not ridiculous, it is a bit tight, and would be even if I were at 110.
Cheers.
Seriously, though, girth is not terribly relevant to leg room. I'm notwhere near 150, but I can comfortable fit into the width of the seat with room to spare. While the legroom is not ridiculous, it is a bit tight, and would be even if I were at 110.
Cheers.
Nov 7, 2006 | 5:28 pm
#6
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instead of making the "good" (exit row, bulkhead, etc) seats cost more, they should make the "sh*t" (no recline, lav, etc) seats cost less, then people will know in advance and have less reason to complain.
Nov 7, 2006 | 5:32 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by rufflesinc
instead of making the "good" (exit row, bulkhead, etc) seats cost more, they should make the "sh*t" (no recline, lav, etc) seats cost less, then people will know in advance and have less reason to complain.
Cheers.
Nov 7, 2006 | 6:10 pm
#9
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If the airlines could charge more and all passengers didn't try to get change for a penny, we'd have more room and better service. Or pay to fly in J and at least enjoy that, which is my strategy.
Nov 7, 2006 | 8:19 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by Roadrunner2
The notion that having to fly in Coach sucks is not new, on FT or elsewhere, but I thought people might appreciate reading an article from Ed Perkins, editor of the now-defunct Consumer Reports Travel Letter:
http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i1617...6&u=3F56ACFB92
Particularly upsetting that Boeing wanted to configure its 787 Dreamliner with 8 seats across, and the airlines insist on 9. NOW would be the time for AA to experiment with bringing back MRTC on selected flights (they've experimented with selling food, why not with this?). People really deserve better than this, even if they're apparently not willing to pay for it. An Airline Traveler's Bill of Rights would certainly help by defining minimum pitch and seat width, IMHO.
http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i1617...6&u=3F56ACFB92
Particularly upsetting that Boeing wanted to configure its 787 Dreamliner with 8 seats across, and the airlines insist on 9. NOW would be the time for AA to experiment with bringing back MRTC on selected flights (they've experimented with selling food, why not with this?). People really deserve better than this, even if they're apparently not willing to pay for it. An Airline Traveler's Bill of Rights would certainly help by defining minimum pitch and seat width, IMHO.
It's been tried. It didn't work. What has changed that would cause them to do it again? They are making money with fuller planes, why remove seats?
Nov 7, 2006 | 9:31 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by ricktoronto
If the airlines could charge more and all passengers didn't try to get change for a penny, we'd have more room and better service. Or pay to fly in J and at least enjoy that, which is my strategy.
Nov 7, 2006 | 9:47 pm
#13
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Even though Emirates crams 10-across their 777's, they have 34" pitch on most of their 777's...I would take 10-across with 34' pitch ANY day over 9-across with 31'-32' seat pitch...in fact, I've taken cattle class on EK a few times.....much better than most other econ class...except for the "31's" on AA.... 
that being said, I've never tried UA's E+...
cheers.
that being said, I've never tried UA's E+...
cheers.
Nov 7, 2006 | 9:56 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by mvoight
I don't see the comparison between selling food and giving away more space.
It's been tried. It didn't work. What has changed that would cause them to do it again? They are making money with fuller planes, why remove seats?
It's been tried. It didn't work. What has changed that would cause them to do it again? They are making money with fuller planes, why remove seats?
Did pax abandon the airline? Did AA lose money by charging the same price for a cabin of 6-12 fewer seats? Or did they charge A LOT more than the other airlines? Were the top executives not able to afford massive bonuses? Were AA's other features so below par that even more leg room couldn't make up for them?
I honestly don't know, because I haven't flown AA since the early 1980s.
It's not that I had anything against the airline. Personally, I would have flown AA just for its increased leg room...but they never offered the most direct routes to the places I wanted and needed to go.
Nov 7, 2006 | 10:14 pm
#15
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Originally Posted by ksandness
In what sense did AA's More Room Throughout Coach "not work"?
Did AA lose money by charging the same price for a cabin of 6-12 fewer seats?
Did AA lose money by charging the same price for a cabin of 6-12 fewer seats?
Cheers.