Impossible to squeeze more seats into a passenger plane? Just watch!

There are 2 replies in this Thread which has previously been viewed 1,799 times. The latest Post (March 9, 2018 at 9:10 AM) was by serafina.

1st Official Post

    In its desperate attempt to compete with bargain airlines, British Airways is spending $800 million on cabin redesign and retrofitting its Gatwick-based long-haul Boeing 777's. Currently cramming in 9 passengers per row, BA is cleverly reducing both seat width and aisle width in order to squeeze in another seat in each row.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/0…sengers-boeing/

    This could have an unexpected effect on seat selection, as formerly-coveted aisle seats will lose their appeal. Who wants to be bashed into by everyone trying to navigate the tricky narrower aisles?

    It could be time for airlines to abandon reclining seats. With precious little room between rows, the last thing a flyer needs is having the seat in front lowered into one's face.

    If these observations seem personal, it is because we just endured a nine-hour flight segment with 10 seats across, and the seats in front of us were reclined before the wheels had even left the tarmac. Considering horse tranquilizers before the return flight.

    • Official Post

    I decided, after our trip to the UK last June, that we won't be flying BA again on that route. Great airline, but the planes are ancient 777s and haven't been modernised for the SA routes.

    So we'll be going back the UK in July on Iberia who use Airbus A330-200s and A340-600s.

    Here's a really good video from a flying enthusiast on a flight from Madrid to BsAs with Iberia. You can see the differences with Brit Airways immediately. More space and more modern facilities.

    I forgot to mention the real time cameras forward and aft :bananadance:

    https://www.iberia.com/il/fleet/iberia/A340-600/

    • Official Post

    Last year I flew to Italy with LATAM from Ezeiza-Sao Paulo-Milan and I was very happy with the service.

    I have also flown with Iberia when we moved here: Milan-Madrid-Ezeiza. Everything was fine.

    In one occasion I flew with Air Europe: Montevideo-Madrid-Milan and it was less fancy, but still okay.

    So far, I have no complain. However, I always fly with my iPad loaded with movies, though I'd rater watch the seat-seated screen because I can fall asleep to it without worrying about it falling.

    What does your fare to the UK look like, Splinter? My route through Sao Paulo is about 1150 EUR right now, which is the same as last year, if not cheaper.

    Have you considered Norwegian? On a FB group there was a nightmare report of very uncomfortable seating, delayed flight, no blanket, etc. If you add up the costs for extra services such as onboard meals, checked luggage, etc. it costs just as any other airline.