Huck Finn once chafed at living with a very proper widow who kept making the rascal put on new clothes, leaving him feeling “all cramped up.” Today, airline passengers keep finding themselves in newly configured seats, more cramped up than ever. But before they take to the river on a raft to show their independence, as Huck did, they should put their money where their knees are. Or, if they’d prefer, just make do with the cramping.
According to the Newton-based TripAdvisor, 41 percent of airline travelers yearn for more legroom; it’s their number one complaint. But a whopping 71 percent say they won’t pay more for it. Instead, passengers crave lower fares, and have shifted in droves to lower-cost airlines like Southwest.
Comments
This comment has been removed.
Are the airlines really offering these extra-cramped seats as "extra low-fare" seats, or are they the new coach-fare seats, with any other seats costing more? Now airlines are charging a premium for aisle and window seats, making it more expensive for a family to sit together (side-by-side). Will they install pay toilets next, claiming that it keeps costs down?
Boatwrote: We get it, you don't understand supply or demand, consumers needs and that we are in a global econmey. Why don't you get a one way ticket to Venezuela and make sure it's on a Venezuela's state owned Airline. Say hi to Hugo for us. BTW:don't forget to ask why his state run airline is charging the same price as other Airlines? Also, gas prices drives up cost's, how could this be possible since all the oil is state owned? Socialism sounds awesome!
Please put down the Entitlment Koolaid. We are in a global economy. I suggest to the people who want free stuff, get a one way ticket on Venezuela's state run airline. Then ask why the tickets are the same price as other airlines? The gas is state owned and why is this having zero effect on ticket prices? Socialism sounds awesome!
Flying was once a luxury available only to the well-heeled. Now it is mass transit, where all of us common folk get squashed just to get to work. C'est la vie.