Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 470 times:
I was just wondering. How can airlines like Ansett Australia offer a 34 - 38" (I can't remember but I think it's 38") seat pitch in Y class and why some big airlines like British Airways offer only 31" (32 on 777s).
I can understand why charter airlines pack in people to 30" but it is a bit unacceptable for large airlines to do this.
Stratifier From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 392 times:
I have absolutely NO intention of flaming anyone here, but isn't SIA's pitch also 32"? Why isn't it, say, 36"?
Profit matters, because airlines are not non-profit organisations. They have employees, the employees' families, and (maybe to a lesser extent) the shareholders.
We can always argue that there's a middle ground, that instead of going to the extremes there's a way to make every situation win-win. But that's not always true, and when it's true people don't always manage to achieve that.
I think that's the reason. Even though you can argue that 2" extra doesn't take out too many seats, it may amount to the difference between 2 members of the same airliner family.
Of course, there's also a less important issue. The average height of people also grows over time. Maybe 31-32" was enough a while ago. People are not all of the same proportion, either.
I'm 5'7" (1.7m); my mom is definitely less than 1.6m (5'3"). About 10 years ago she flew on CX, and found it too cramped even for her. Needless to say, she's never chosen CX since (although I probably could, that BBC world service thing is really attractive).
On second thought, I'm quite used to 38" pitch now, and can't quite imagine anything below 34". It's not that there's no space for my legs. it's that when everyone lays back and sleep, the seat back in front really eats into your available space. It's trying to move past the people next to you, so you can walk around, go to the lav, etc.
P.S.
Someone tell me how many have died/been hospitalized on DVT from flying charter. I think so many people are, for a variety of reasons, not taking enough care of themselves. Maybe the condition of the cabin inflight just aggravates all the problems you've got that haven't really surfaced.
I have heard of deaths after 3,4 years of fast food (as a major part of one's diet); cancer of the lymph nodes, I think.
Ryanair From United Kingdom, joined Jul 1999, 654 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 366 times:
I don't think anybody said SQ has 36 inch pitch? Hum... anyhow. Actually there's very little difference between most airlines pitch, it's pretty standard around 31-32 inches. Charters ex UK tend to be 28-29 inches and slightly more elsewhere.
Ansett's 38 inch pitch was slightly questionable, it was only on the upper deck, the rest was 32 inches. Today they're on the 744's offering 31 inch pitch.
A handful offer 34 inches, but almost all else 31-32.
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 3, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 359 times:
I wonder why you took SIA as an example?
Hmm. Yes I do agree. I just find it so weird, if airlines are going to keep up with competition like Ansett (38") for example, why don't their next door neightbours (Air NZ / Qantas) follow suit?
CPDC10-30 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2000, 4759 posts, RR: 27 Reply 4, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 348 times:
I'm 6'4", so the legroom issue is always a serious one whenever I don't get the emergency exit row. My strategy is to stick my knees out so that the person in front can't recline the seat very far. I know it sounds kind of mean and silly, but if they recline all the way, I can't even stay in the seat without sticking my legs into the aisle...which the f/a's don't like.
Thank goodness AC has 34" in Y (I'm flying to CDG in a month).
777x From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 341 times:
Well CPDC10-30, AC's seat pitch varies as well, from as little as 30" (ouch) to a spacious 34", depending on the a/c and seating config. so again very inconsistent.
Stratifier From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 333 times:
Singapore_Air, you just can't NOT be skeptical, can you?
SIA is a good example because they appear to be one of the airlines that are at the forefront when it comes to all kinds of amenities. If seat pitch is proven to be health-related I think they'll be ready to change it.
And I say "they appear to be" because I've never flown them, so I'm judging from what I've heard around here.
There we have it . AirNZ is still one of the best in terms of Seats and that is why so many people prefer to fly them To LAX from SYD and NZ. Ansett is owned by AirNZ so AirNZ and Ansett have the same seat pitch. The leased 744 from SQ only have 31" Seat pitch. CRAP if you ask me.
Korean air...... 777-200/300 and Malaysian 777-200 offer 35" In why class. Cosy!!
EIPremier From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1533 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 306 times:
I'm 6 feet tall, and 33 inches is comfortable for me (I wouldn't say roomy, but certainly not at all cramped). 31 inches is too tight. 31 inches is the average for domestic carriers, but often they fudge a little. For example, some airlines make the seating 32 inches towards the front of coach, but only 29 or 30 in the back. I know Continental, Delta, and US Airways do this on some of their planes, especially narrowbody planes. I'm sure other carriers do as well.
American is only major carrier to offer expanded legroom throughout coach, with 33-35 inches. United offers 35-36 inches in Economy Plus, but only 31-32 inches otherwise.
Marcelduchamp From New Zealand, joined Sep 2000, 87 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 290 times:
1) AN's claim of 34" to 38" is outdated. It was for the 747-300s from SQ (In the days when the "standard" was 34"; SQ and CX used to have 34").
2) The present AN 747-400s from SQ have the same basic configuration as SQ. 32" on the main deck. 38" is for the upper deck EY cabin only.
3) Not many airlines offer an unadulterated 34" pitch in EY across the fleet. For example, top airlines like...
CX - approx. 32" across the fleet
SR - 31"/32" on their NEW A332s
BA - 31" on the 744s
QF - 32" across the board
SQ - 32" across the board, except the 777; 32" to 34"
NZ - 32"/33" on the majority of the fleet (767s/737s)
4) It seems only second tier airlines such as KE, MH and TG do a little more (But I doubt the A330s in their fleets have a 34" pitch). IMHO, the reason why they maintain a 34" pitch in EY is because they haven't spent any $$ in refurbishing their aircraft ever since the days of a standard 34" pitch in the early 90s. CX, SQ and LH reduced from 34" to 32" after refurbishment.
5) Which naturally leads to the question. New seats/PTVs or 2" of space? The airlines will undoubtedly choose the former. They want to try and make more $$ from us, from duty free and phone calls.
5) Where is it said that SQ's EY seat pitch is 31"? The Straits Times and Business Traveller state a range of 32" to 34" across the fleet.
N863DA From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 48 posts, RR: 6 Reply 12, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 257 times:
LOL Singapore_air.
Not a lot of people would get 'You are the weakest link - good bye' - if you've never seen Ann Robinson on British TV before...
And if you want bad seat pitches, try Delta Air Lines 777's in the rear Coach cabin on a ten hour flight. (or any length flight.) They say it's 31" but somehow no-one believes them.
Airnewzealand From New Zealand, joined Oct 2000, 2538 posts, RR: 6 Reply 16, posted (12 years 3 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 221 times:
Korean Air is currently Doing it's fleet up and are keeping the 45". They have recently installed PTV's on some 777 and are now doing the 747 which offer a Pitch of 34". They are also keeping this Pitch when the PTV's are installed.
AirNZ Did their Cabins up in 98' and they still kept the 34" on the 747 but Put the pitch down on the 767 to 33" instead!!
By the way. It is a Typo on the Website. I have the Current Schedule, Maintenace and Aircrafts books right here which have seat Pitch!!
Sponsor Message: 
From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From New Zealand, joined Oct 2000, 2538 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1533 posts, 