Airline seats have become so small, uncomfortable and lack in padding that I will not be traveling as much in the future. My car will become my choice of travel unless airlines increase seat size and add more padding. I am a smaller than average female; there have been times when my knees hit the seats in front of me and I'm always squished against shoulders of adjoining seat mates.
I will not wear good clothes on flights since seats are nearly always dirty.

Posted By Marilyn F on March 3, 2011, 2:48 PM

I am a 5ft female so I don't have much problem with airline seats. However, on long flights and redeye's overseas, I'm one not to sleep because I can't get comfortable on the plane. Main problem is the seats. I always said if I am flying international, I'm either upgrading to first or business class for the space but also semi-comfortable seats.

I think the airline industry as a whole needs a makeover. I took an 8hr train ride to nyc, the coach seats were comfortable and I had plenty of room plus the seats had foot rests and reclined far back without being in someone's lap as well.

Posted By samantha on March 3, 2011, 5:02 PM

It is in the airline's best interest to make coach seats as uncomfortable as possible. It makes those high-priced (and much more profitable) business-class and first-class seats much more desirable.

Most people have no idea of how much a first or business class ticket cost. For instance, an economy coach SuperSaver on American Airlines from New York to Paris is a total of $1,155 including taxes. A business class ticket for the same dates (April 19-26). For the same flight, the least expensive business class ticket is $2,416.

Posted By Steve from TravelingProfessor.Com on March 4, 2011, 11:54 AM

Its a no win. Everyone is going to complain about the seats and when the airline decides to upgrade we are going to complain that fare are higher after the upgrades.

Posted By Kevin on March 7, 2011, 10:11 AM

I fly Continenetal almost exclusively now to get frequent flyer points, and while I think they are superior to other airlines in many ways, one of my pet peeves is that the seat cushion is too long and hits the back of my knees, causing a great deal of discomfort after a couple of hours. This is true in both economy and first class. It seems they are made for taller passengers (i.e male business travellers) and not smaller females (5'2") like me. Cutting an inch off the seat length would not add to the discomfort of a taller passenger but would make a huge difference to shorter ones. I would also love to see footrests in economy. These are small adjustments that could increase a passenger's comfort.

Posted By Roberta on March 7, 2011, 10:41 AM

As an almost 6 foot woman who invariably gets the one passenger on the plane who wants to recline all the way back... I would love it if there could be more leg room. I am not fond of people I don't know lying back in my lap. Absent more leg room, I'd love it if more passengers could realize that while the seats CAN recline; it's not necessary on flights under 2 hours to DO it. Because while YOU may be comfortable you are surely ruining the comfort of someone else.

Posted By Rebecca on March 7, 2011, 10:54 AM

I am 6'2" with a 34-36" inseam, and I hate flying, for the simple reason that the seats in the economy section are uncomfortable and there is NO leg room for me at all. The person in front of me invariably slams their seat back into my knees when they recline the seat, and some people persist in constantly rocking back and forth, smashing my knees over and over again. While I can tolerate a 2 hour flight, anything over that is outright torture. I cannot afford to upgrade, so that option is out. To top it all off, Continental, which is the major carrier in my area, started charging $50 for exit row seats, which were the only seats that had enough leg room for me. My son is 6'7", and flying is almost out of the question for him. If they make the seats any closer together, he and I both will quit flying.

Posted By Nick on March 7, 2011, 11:27 AM

It is impossible for any airlines to make seats just for you. Since a typical American male passenger is about 5'10", 200 lbs (getting larger), we can't blame the airlines for our own challenges about our ever increasing girth. Women still compose less than 30% of all elite passengers so it will never make business sense to cater to your needs since most of VIP room of any airlines are filled by men. Many Asian airlines still have not caught on the needs of man since I can't use female perfume in business class (unless you are gay and even gays hates girly men). I have vent my frustrations with airline staff and many do listen..more drinks, more leg rooms, good food, professional Flight attendants, and make sure you don't lose my bags after charging me so much to check the bags so I won't arrive my business meetings without my belongings.

Posted By JM Wang on March 7, 2011, 11:50 AM

I am 6"3" with a 32-34" inseam and 250lbs. When I sit next to people of a similar stature it does not make for a comfortable ride. One time I was in a middle (non exit row) seat next to two other big guys going from CA to NY and it was miserable. Otherwise, I usually try and get an exit row and/or look for seats with an empty middle. I have resigned myself that this part of my journey will not be a highlight.

And, I agree with Kevin in that prices would probably increase were seats made larger and I would rather pay-less and use that money on pain medications. Just kidding. I would rather pay less and just look forward to touching down. Which is why my biggest complaint with airlines is this urgency to board and then wait in line to take off and/or dis-embark. I have to believe that there are ways to address this. But the convenience of flying still outweighs the inconveniences. And, I too, will take the train even it adds more time on shorter journeys. The comfort and price easily justify the added time.

Posted By Chris on March 7, 2011, 12:01 PM

I'm 6'6" and hate airline seats. I can't put my head back and end up, like a lot of people in these comments, with the seat in front of me in my lap. I have flown for many years and I have a question: Can we legally confront the airlines for selling us seats that are really unusable. I once had the passenger in front of me claim that the air space for his seat was his and he wanted to start a fight. I told him it was the CEOs problem and he should write him. I called the flight attendant and she put me in first class. Of course, this doesn't work all of the time.

Posted By Don D on March 7, 2011, 12:22 PM

More space = fewer seats = higher fares = fewer fliers.

Bad seats = fewer fliers.

For airlines: No upside.
For fliers: Sore backsides or sore wallets.

We need high speed rails.

Posted By AJ on March 7, 2011, 12:33 PM

Like my chiropractor recently stated...airline seats must've been created by a chiropractor to keep them in business! That's what it takes for me after flying! While tall people (like my husband) don't fit, the seats make us short people lean the wrong way causing severe back/neck pain.

Posted By Betty on March 7, 2011, 12:42 PM

My husband is 6'6" and has a tough time in economy. We always get two opposite aisle seats so he can change sides if needed, stretching one leg out at a time. If the person in front wants to recline, he holds his knees against the seat so it will not go back - the person usually gives up. Our last flight we spent extra to get United plus that had about 4" of extra leg room - it made a big difference. If all else fails, when boarding, we ask the flight attendants if they can move us to seats with more leg room once everyone boards and that has worked a few times to get us 2 seats with the one in the middle empty, giving him stretching room. With so many people herded into such a small space, it all comes down to dollars - costs the airlines too much to give economy more leg room. This has certainly curtailed our plans for long flights.

Posted By Doris from New Jersey on March 7, 2011, 12:46 PM

..In Economy..have seats fixed in up right position only.......

Posted By Ron Butterworth on March 7, 2011, 1:03 PM

Making seats more comfortable would not results in my flying more frequently. I would fly no matter what, but I sure would like to be more comfortable. I am a 5'7" female with a 34" inseam. I need more legroom! My biggest peeves, however, are seats that bottom out due to lack of cushioning, headrests that are in the wrong position (too high) and seats that have no lumbar support. I think seats should be redesigned and the cushioning be made more durable.

Posted By Miri on March 7, 2011, 1:05 PM

Since I have only flown about 3 times in the past 10 years, I don't think it will make much of a difference for me. How in the world do people make enough money to spend thousands on flying every year? I can only imagine their credit cards get a workout. I sincerely hope not, since my philosophy is: don't spend the money unless you have it in hand.

Posted By Christie on March 7, 2011, 1:08 PM

Sometimes, airlines could do small things which would make things a lot more pleasant.

For example: A recent AA flight was very uncomfortable. One of the things they could do was make the seat cushion a little thicker and the front of the cushion a little higher. I would not have kept sliding down in the seat and it would have given me a higher seating position. Second: make the airline managers and executives fly coach when they are traveling.

Posted By marketfog on March 7, 2011, 1:16 PM

Amen, Ron Butterworth!

Posted By Nicole on March 7, 2011, 1:49 PM

I've got a general rule that the people who design and build airplanes and seats and configure the aircrard DO NOT FLY ANYWHERE! Take the Canadajet regional 900 that US Airways is so fond ot -- it must have the most uncomfortable and hard exit row seats in the air. Also has fixed seat armrests which makes the seats very tight. As a frequent flyer, I AVOID that row even with the great leg space. Take a window seat on many RJ's and the sides of the plane curve in and press on your shoulder.. not to mention those walls are COLD. I'm thinking the designers are all shorter than 5-foot and skinny as a rail.

I watched 2 six-foot-plus guys shoehorn themselves into an Unied RJ (1/2 configuration) for the more than hour flight (not counting all the time on the ground at O'Hare) and marveled that they could even MOVE when we reached out destination.

There has to be some compromise between cramming the most seats onboard and some measure of flyer comfort, especially on routes longer than an hour. That more and more long flights (2-3 hours) are on those RJ's is terrible, and a not-happy trend.

Here's my solution -- every airline executive has to fly in their most crowded and worse seat planes for a week including 2-3 hour fights IN COACH!!! Then, and maybe only then, will we get any relief from this "pack them in and who cares how they feel?" mentality.

In the meantime, I choose my aircraft and seating very carefully when I book my frequent travel.

Posted By Steven on March 7, 2011, 1:54 PM

I'm 5' 9" with 34" inseam and am wedged into the coach seats on American. My knees are pressed into the seat in front of me for the entire flight. I'm sure that's really comfortable for the person in front of me as well. No one has mentioned the health problems associated with sitting for 2-5 hours and being unable to change position. This is the reason why I rarely fly anymore. I have no desire to end up with DVT clots in my legs leading to stroke or other serious medical problems after I'm off the cattle car that caused it. If I have to fly for any reason, I've been going on Jet Blue, lots more leg room and other amenities. Or trying to buy the extra leg room seats or upgrading to 1st. This summer my vacation plans involve Amtrak instead of the airlines since I'm tired of their extra charges for everything and cramming you into the most torturous seats ever invented. Train travel sounds more interesting anyway. If I don't do that though, I drive now.

Posted By Renee on March 7, 2011, 2:22 PM

I would like to see airlines remove the option of reclining a seat, except perhaps on overnight flights. I never recline my seat out of respect for the person behind me, and I constantly resent the person in front of me who usually seems to recline for the entire flight as a matter of policy. If you are sleepy enough to nap on a plane, you can probably nap without reclining your seat.

Posted By Phylis on March 7, 2011, 2:25 PM

For domestic flights I care more about price which is the major factor in determining if I drive or not.

For international flights I will pay more to fly on airlines that have better room in coach (mainly any airline other than the US ones).

Posted By Audie on March 7, 2011, 2:28 PM

Being 6'4" international travel can be a hassle, but recently found the new style premium economy seats on Air France a wonderful change. The seat moves forward to recline, so that no one was reclining their seat into the person behind them. What a stroke of genuis! I got good rest with this approach, and getting up and down was much easier, since the seat backs were all aligned together. I believe Japan Airlines has the same style seat. Hooray!

Posted By Peter McClung on March 7, 2011, 2:39 PM

Firstly,I am 5'4" so no trouble about leg room EXCEPT I could do with a footrest,please.
I'm sorry but I need to recline my seat so my bifocals line up with the screen.
have you seen the new Air New Zealand economy seats?

Posted By S.E. O'Neill on March 7, 2011, 3:15 PM

I have a 6'6" friend who stopped flying domestically a couple of years ago. At the price of first class tickets he now takes the train and gets a sleeper. He takes a long trip every 3 or 4 months

Posted By MylesJ on March 7, 2011, 3:19 PM

While I love traveling, the worst is always the flight. I am 5'6" and 135lbs. and my knees hit the seat in front of me, I always get stuck with a large person who decides they own the arm rest.
A 12 hour flight I took to Oahu, I flew Continental and it was the best first class! Reclining seats, large and comfortable and incredible service and food. For a non-stop flight...it was a "10". I also spent $6,300. for the seats.

Posted By Jyll on March 7, 2011, 3:35 PM

As a small woman who takes ibuprofen before every flight, I can't imagine what discomfort a larger man must endure.
My suggestions:
Raise the seats higher off the floor, so there is room for a footrest under the seat in front.
Eliminate or reduce the size of the overhead bins. Charge extra for any carry-on that doesn't fit under the seat and allow two free pieces of luggage with really high fees for any additional bags. Flight attendants despise the new luggage fees. All the extra carry-ons take up so much room and really slow loading and unloading of passengers.
Headrests that adjust in all directions. The current ones actually push my head forward.
Take out a few rows of seats, so there are a few more inches between seats. Long flights are agony. Not enough room to curl up in the seat, not enough recline to make a difference, no footrest so you can't slide down in the seat, and too little room between the seats to lay one's head on the tray table.
I second the suggestion about adding dimmers to the lights. On night flights, the attendants turn off all the lights, stranding those of us who can't sleep in darkness. If we turn on the reading lamp, it blares in the face of a sleeping passenger. I've resorted to traveling with a blanket and a flashlight and "read under the covers".
I'd like to add a kudos to the flight attendants who are unable to change the horrible conditions, but manage to do their best to make things as comfortable as they can.

Posted By Jenny on March 7, 2011, 3:47 PM

I've gotten to loathe flying! Being a beefy, 6' guy, it is virtually torture. I'm even open to paying a premium for more room however, not the unreasonable premium price of a first class ticket which, comparatively, is obscene! For this reason, the last two times I've gone to Europe, I've taken a cruise shop both ways. Sure, one has to have the extra time to do it but what a civilized way to get there. It's the complete antithesis of flying; a comfortable room with staff who treat you like a king as opposed to flying and being treated as cattle from the moment you set foot in the airport.

Posted By jboy on March 7, 2011, 3:54 PM

I am a physician and I cannot believe that some law firm has not specialized in DVT (clots) and their relationship to sub-standard seating in airlines. Over the last 20 years, ergonomics has evolved leaps and bounds. The mentions of Air France and Japanese Airlines seats is a great example of companies not being lazy, but seeking a solution that makes customers happy and healthy while not sinking the ship. Maybe a few more companies with integrity or some suits re: responsibility - whatever, it needs to be fixed.

Posted By Jeff M. on March 7, 2011, 4:05 PM

To the readers who maintain there is greater room on forign carriers than those in the USA, that is largely a myth. Most of the airlines(both US and forign) offer 17" to 18" seat width and 31" or 32" pitch, with a few exceptions. Highly touted Emirates offer 34" pitch (on some aircraft) with normal caoch width...the same being true for Singapore and Air China. Austrian Airlines offers as little as 30" and as much as 33".

The differences are minor and will not improve.

Posted By lawthomas on March 7, 2011, 4:43 PM

How about making seats of different sizes. For example, make the middle row seat that no one wants 2-3 inches wider.

Posted By I Wander on March 7, 2011, 4:55 PM

I'm only 5' tall, but still have problems with comfort especially if the person in front of me reclines their seat. Foldable footrests would be nice to have. I just really dislike flying and avoid if it I can. The whole cattle car mentality is overwhelming at times. On a flight last year from Paris to Seattle, we flew Air France for the first time (a completely full flight). They were the absolute worst seats. There was no cushioning left in the seat. It was a VERY long 10-hour flight.

Posted By Pam on March 7, 2011, 5:31 PM

You do have some good ideas that might make flying more pleasant, though I'm not sure it would make many more people fly more.

I do like that now a lot of airlines are starting to offer the paid option of more leg room. We can all think that we just deserve it, and we do, but someone has to pay for the few passengers on the plane. But, I wonder if everyone who complains about being crammed pay the extra money. I"m sure some would, but I suspect there are many more who just want the cheapest option and will try to keep the person in front of them from reclining instead.

Posted By Crissy on March 7, 2011, 6:07 PM

I agree with Phyllis, above.... Eliminate the reclining feature of coach seats. For years I have refrained from reclining my seat, even on transcontinental flights, only to find the inconsiderate person in front of me places their seat within 12 inches of my face and chest by reclining to the full extent. For my husband, who is 6'7", it is even worse, as the reclining feature goes right into his already-taxed knees, causing serious problems to his mobility. Wish I could find those slick little devices that prevent reclining of the seat in front of you, and I wouldn't care that they were not legal. I'd risk it anyhow.

Posted By Joan on March 7, 2011, 8:12 PM

I'm only 5'2", and even for me the seats are not comfortable.
Does it stop me from flying more frequently? No.
As uncomfortable as it is, it's a time-saver. That's the reason I fly.
And I never feel bad about reclining my seat. I almost have to...to get some space between the person in front of me who has reclined theirs.

Posted By j on March 7, 2011, 10:52 PM

Yes for longer flights IE 2 hours plus Minimum,
Under 2 hours, Im OK.
But 8 plus hours YES.
For Economy to First class.
Or expand to HS RR lines worldwide.

Posted By stephen russell on March 7, 2011, 11:01 PM

6'7",245 lbs. I swear the seat sizes and configurartions are the work of sadistic dwarfs. To me flying is proof there is a Hell. Why not make one aisle planes with 3/2 seats instead of 3/3. That plus a few inches more legroom would really help. Or make more first class seats and don't charge such a stupid price differential. Alaska sometimes sells one-way first class upgrades for $50. They always sell out. I love the earlier comment about making airline execs (especially big ones!) fly their own planes in coach. How about cross country 4-5 times, without a break, between two guys my size? Problem solved!

Posted By Scott Soules on March 7, 2011, 11:38 PM

At 5'2" I hate to fly as seats and lack of leg room so uncomfortable. My 6' hubby has it even worse. US Air and Northwest are the absolute worst for comfort! On long overseas US Air flight, lights did not work, air did not work, music TV did not work at our seats and my seat would not recline at all. They would not let us change seats even tho there were empty seats. I agree with ALL your reccomendationand those of commentors also. When my knees are being crushed by seat in front of me, somethingis definately WRONG.

Posted By ellie on March 8, 2011, 2:22 PM

"jenny" 3/7 has posted some excellent, well thought out suggestions. My only addition is to ask that travel magazines and airline personnel make an effort to educate passengers that consideration for fellow passengers is a must. Fully reclining your seat is an insult (as well as a major source of discomfort) to the passenger behind you into whose lap you have placed your seat, your head, and your body.

Posted By Carol on March 8, 2011, 10:32 PM

"Seats that recline an extravagant 45 degrees" are you out of your mind????. At 6'1" I don't have enough legroom with the seat all the way upright! Even a modest recline by the passenger in front of me is agony. 45 degrees? You must be a midget! Your comment is the height of arrogance. Screw the guy behind me, just as long as I am comfortable! Please send me you itinerary so i can avoid any flight you are on!

Posted By Philip on March 8, 2011, 11:09 PM

I traveled by Amtrak train last month. The airlines could learn a thing or two by checking out those seats. Much more roomy with a adjustable leg and foot rests and they reclined much further.

Posted By Kathie on March 9, 2011, 11:34 AM

Fares cost too much - planes are too full - routes are diminished - customer service no longer exists and now they are taking away my pretzels!

Posted By CMM on March 9, 2011, 3:42 PM

Further yes more often no.

Posted By Crystlgib on March 10, 2011, 8:41 PM

I love to travel but I hate flying. I am a 5'8" woman with a 32" inseam and am over weight so you can imagine my torture. I don't know which is worst--the wideth of the seats or the lack of leg room, either way my circulation is subject to be cut off before I reach my destination.
Was flying suppose to be a pleasure or punishment?
While I am venting, I also need to mention my hatred of how the weight of my luggage is determine. A 250 lb person can only pack 1/8 of what a 125 lb. person can, so should my luggage be gauge the same? If I'm vacating for 5 days,I would actually like to be able to pack 5 outfits before I have to pay an extra fee.
Why should the big and tall have to pay such a high price to be tortured and agonized????
OH, to fly in comfort, the whole world would be a better place to travel, explore and celebrate life.
Thank God for the comfort of trains...If you are big or tall, you may want to take your money there too.

Posted By Carolyn on March 14, 2011, 1:44 PM

I fly to Europe an a regular basis and have little issue with the seats themselves.Comfortable? No but unusable, no. I am 5'10". I fly across the country without worrying what seat quality I will get. I do check seatguru for entertainment boxes under the seat and lack of any reclining, other then that, I get more irritated by the rising fares and a fee for the first checked baggage!

Posted By Dave on March 17, 2011, 6:17 PM

I fly to Europe an a regular basis and have little issue with the seats themselves.Comfortable? No but unusable, no. I am 5'10". I fly across the country without worrying what seat quality I will get. I do check seatguru for entertainment boxes under the seat and lack of any reclining, other then that, I get more irritated by the rising fares and a fee for the first checked baggage!

Posted By Dave on March 17, 2011, 6:18 PM

We recently flew on American and Delta economy flights. The Delta flights (Airbus) were much more comfortable than the American flights (don't remember the model). The one feature I see rudely used is the reclining seat feature. Too many people don't look behind them before they recline. I've seen food, books, drinks etc fall off of tray tables or people get hurt by the seat reclining back into their head while they're leaning down to pick something out of their bag on the floor. My personal pet peeve is about the folks sitting behind me who think it's ok to grab my headrest & seat to pull themselves out of their seats. They need to learn to use their armrests for leverage instead of hurting me!

Posted By Lori on March 18, 2011, 9:38 PM

Exit row and bulkhead seats have more legroom, but generally are assigned to travelers who have a lot of frequent flyer miles. So it may be a good idea to build points with one airline even if you have to pay a little more for a ticket.
Many airlines have started to charge for these highly desirable seats. It may be worth it for long flights. I agree with a prior comment that Air France's "Premium Economy" seats were a good value for a long redeye flight.
Frankly, most travelers want a cheap ticket and will put up with horrible ergonomics in order to save a few bucks. I would rather pay more and have the airlines eliminate several rows of economy seats. No carrier has offered me that option!

Posted By angela on March 21, 2011, 6:31 PM

My Husband and I go on about 2 to 3 trips a year in which flying is one of our options. It's something we dread.
My Husband is built like a linebacker and due to a severe car accident, I have replaced a knee and a shoulder. Airlines simply do not make seats to accomadate larger people or people with sensitive issues. We do far better flying outside our Nation than we do flying in America. It's just not right that we are better accomidated overseas by those airlines. I dearly wish the Nation's Airlines would upgrade the equipment.
The Amount of money the Airlines pulled out of customer's pockets for extra un-needed fees is a disgrace and another sign of poor customer respect by the Airlines.

Posted By Victoria on June 20, 2011, 1:46 PM

The 'new' idea of having some seats in coach with a few more inches of legroom only is more like it used to be. That should be the normal at least and for no extra cost. The way coach seat are in general is an insult to the passenger. I cannot afford to pay two or three times the price to sit in comfort. At least make coach more comfortable with those few extra inches and wider seats if possible. Those underseat media boxes should be relocated in to the ceiling or overhead bins. They get in the way of that underseat luggage and your feet. Lets make flying more comfortable again please.

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