5 ms·
They could start by putting seats in the plane that do not recline. I'd easily pay an extra $20 per ticket to not place my knees at the mercy of whatever rando
by amalcon 16y ago
They could start by putting seats in the plane that do not recline. I'd easily pay an extra $20 per ticket to not place my knees at the mercy of whatever random person happens to sit in front of me, and it should actually be cheaper for the airline.
This is really the only significant differential I've ever had in flying experience, on AirTran/JetBlue/Southwest/Delta/United: Whether or not the person in front of me chooses to recline their seat.
- mrduncan 16y agoJust another illustration of how vastly different flying experiences can be on the exact same airline. If you're not already aware, seats that have their backs to an exit row never recline. So, your best bet (until an airline offers you your wish) would be either an exit-row seat or a bulkhead seat.
- amalcon 16y agoYeah, I'd thought of this. Unfortunately, the exit row is not normally an option for physical reasons (I often travel with someone who could not do what's needed if there is a problem), and I've only once been so lucky as to get a bulkhead seat. The other option, of course, is to simply not fly. For the price of an extra laptop battery, a bus (or train or boat) ticket, and optionally some sort of network connectivity, I can get where I'm going slowly but comfortably and productively. It has not quite reached the point where this is superior to flying, but it's moving in that direction.
- eru 16y agoMove to Europe or Japan. We have trains.
- detst 16y agoAt 6'3", this is the difference between a miserable and pleasant flying experience. And if you don't want to pay the extra fee usually charged, immediately go to the counter and request it. Usually there are exit-row seats that nobody paid for and they'll give it to you.
- mrduncan 16y agoI feel your pain, I'm 6'4". A tip for flying Southwest (who doesn't assign seats): Don't be scared to hop into one of the exit row seats, they are fair game like all other seats. I notice that a lot of people will walk right by them (who are traveling alone and could obviously use the extra leg room) just because there is a flight attendant standing in the row. Just ask if you can slide in, they are just standing there to get out of the way waiting for the rows to fill up so they can give the exit-row speech.
- Groxx 16y agoI spent a flight across the Atlantic with my knees up & between seats, and my feet off the floor, because I'm 6'2". Utterly ridiculous. In the opposite direction, I had an exit row seat, but I now check seat distance religiously.
- kscaldef 16y agoYou can pay $40 for an "Extra Leg Room" seat on JetBlue.
- what 16y agoOr just choose the seat at the emergency exit, they have more leg room so that people can easily get through when the plane crashes.
- kscaldef 16y agoThe situation with emergency exit seats varies from airline to airline. Many won't let you reserve one in advance, or only allow preferred or full-fare customers to reserve. JetBlue (once again) charges $40 if you want to reserve one.
- assemble 16y agoAllegiantAir does this. At 6'2" I actually had enough legroom too, because non-reclining seats are thinner than the reclining seats. Not only do non-reclining seats weigh about 10-20lbs less (if I remember correctly) they are indeed cheaper. For an airline--the weight alone is a big deal.