New Delhi: Across the world, airlines are increasing the number of seats in economy class by shrinking seat width, armrests and aisles, and packing in more passengers per inch. The biggest aircraft are being moved to a 10-abreast configuration, which means a row has 3-4-3 seats to maximize revenue.
Studies have shown that seat widths of less than 18 inches aren't very comfortable for passengers, but most seats in economy are now 17 inches or less. However, US' Boeing and Europe's Airbus, the two largest aircraft manufacturers, are busy blaming each other about the shrinking seat space.
Among the Indian carriers, only Air India and Jet Airways have wide-body aircraft. Just how important number of seats is to economic viability becomes clear from the fact that Air India ordered eight B 777-200 (long-range) aircraft from Boeing in 2006. The 200-LR had just 238 seats as AI wanted to give passengers a luxurious experience, both in economy and business because the aircraft was likely to fly nonstop between India and the US.
But with so few seats, Air India kept these planes on the ground and used the 342-seater B777-300 (extended range). Air India recently sold five of the eight 200-LR to Etihad and now plans to use the remaining three for nonstop flights to San Francisco. "We have a 3-3-3 configuration in the economy section of ours B-777s to provide maximum comfort to passengers on long haul flights," said a senior AI official. Jet Airways has 10-abreast on some of its wide-bodies.
12/101/5 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
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Studies have shown that seat widths of less than 18 inches aren't very comfortable for passengers, but most seats in economy are now 17 inches or less. However, US' Boeing and Europe's Airbus, the two largest aircraft manufacturers, are busy blaming each other about the shrinking seat space.
Among the Indian carriers, only Air India and Jet Airways have wide-body aircraft. Just how important number of seats is to economic viability becomes clear from the fact that Air India ordered eight B 777-200 (long-range) aircraft from Boeing in 2006. The 200-LR had just 238 seats as AI wanted to give passengers a luxurious experience, both in economy and business because the aircraft was likely to fly nonstop between India and the US.
But with so few seats, Air India kept these planes on the ground and used the 342-seater B777-300 (extended range). Air India recently sold five of the eight 200-LR to Etihad and now plans to use the remaining three for nonstop flights to San Francisco. "We have a 3-3-3 configuration in the economy section of ours B-777s to provide maximum comfort to passengers on long haul flights," said a senior AI official. Jet Airways has 10-abreast on some of its wide-bodies.
12/101/5 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
