'Torture:' Airline Passengers Sound Off Over Shrinking Seat Size

The FAA's request for feedback from the public on seat size and safety has yielded more than 26,000 comments and the biggest complaint was the 'torture' of the shrinking size of the seat. NBC’s Stephanie Gosk reports for TODAY.

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#airlines #flying #travel

[saralynfosnight]

I'm 5 feet tall and I have no foot room at all. I can't even imagine how a person 6 feet tall does it.

[larabraver]

It’s also a medical issue- blood clots more likely in the legs due to limited blood circulation. These can then travel to the lungs and become fatal.

[dondon]

I used to fly all the time for work and for pleasure. Now, I am retired and would never get on a plane again for pleasure due to how awful the whole experience has become. Road trips are now my thing or just staying home and hiking in the forests.

[dbn]

"Like what?" 😂 Totally agree. I think we're being gaslight by the airline CEO's and their staff cheerleading to keep the seats small for their big pay checks. Also...why do you think people are losing their sh*% on airplanes? Too close together folks, too close together. CEO's don't care because they don't sit there.

[debbiep]

Love the guy saying "like what"? He said what we were all thinking.

[whitneymatalone]

This is definitely something that should be addressed! 👍

[RaqueLauren]

It is literal torture. Every time I fly I'm like never again!

[propbraker]

Now come on guys! The CEO’s of these airlines need more money to buy more cabins and beach houses!

[wildandfree]

Been preaching this for awhile. Glad to see my suspicions have been confirmed.

[LastCommodore]

I haven't flown since 2016 and don't miss it. Nearly everything I hear about the airline experience these days is negative.

[StitchGV]

Sorry but that middle seat trick would work maybe 1 time out of 10. Flights sell out, especially to popular destinations, or destinations where a lot of elderly parents live and may need family to rush to them. People won’t care what seat they get if they just need to get there. Also consider that most of the working class can’t just change their vacation days around what flights are most convenient, especially if price is an issue. Trust me… that middle seat is selling.

[michelleb]

I am 5’5” and 115 lbs, smaller than the average US adult, but sitting in an economy seat these days for more than a couple hours can cause me back pain that lasts for days afterward. I once was on a flight from Frankfurt to SFO, in between two men, one who “manspread, ” for no good reason and the other who was definitely well over 6’ tall and had no room for his legs. The only way I made it through that “red eye” flight without going crazy in pain was by watching horror/suspense films the entire flight, so i was literally tensed up. I still had an excruciating backache that didn’t fully resolve for a few weeks but it was then only way I could “sit” all those hours. I had originally booked a business class seat but I missed that connection due to my first leg being cancelled. I couldn’t wait to be rebooked in the same class as I had to get back to work so I begged them to just put me on whatever flight would get me back asap. Haha. I learned my lesson after that.

[spikefivefivefive]

The shrinking seat size is bad enough but the seats being crammed back-to-back leaves so little legroom that it IS in fact like torture.
They need more options like sections based on size, not just economy/business class.
I can't imagine that the better seats in premium economy aren't being snapped up for every flight.

[karenvonbargen]

Remember, we are all supposed to be able to evacuate in 90 seconds out of the microscopic seats

[GorgieClarissa]

what's the point of having an FAA if they literally DO NOTHING but cater to the airline and profits??? this has become incredibly unreasonable

[absatwell]

It’s almost a circus act trying to store things under the seat in front of you if you have long legs. I never recline my seat. I feel like it would just cramp the person behind me more. It’s all about the $ and we are well aware of that.

[mujtabamujeeb]

FINALLY! I thought it was me and there is no way I’m the biggest person. It was literally torture and I really hope we can bring a change to this

[songsandstories]

I am a 5’9” female. I traveled a lot for the last six years and except for 2020, I spent many flights with my knees touching the seat in front of me and arms squished up next to the person next to me. If the person in front of you leans their seat back, you’re in for an uncomfortable trip.

[moistpeanut]

Yea, seats have been constantly shrinking ever since I can remember. They are also being fully packed and often times overselling tickets.

[laurieb.budgets]

I'm a plus sized person and I am afraid to fly for fear of not fitting in the seat, as well as inconveniencing the other person for taking up some of their limited space. It's a sad situation airlines want your money but don't want to make adjustments for the passengers comfort