6-Foot-Tall Passenger Gains Sympathy Over Struggle of Economy Plane Seats

2 weeks ago 3

A post highlighting the significant difference in space between basic economy and extra legroom seats on a Qantas flight has sparked a lively discussion among users on Reddit.

Shared by Redditor u/Oh_hi_Steve on December 22, the post, titled "Difference between a normal airline seat vs extra legroom seat!," has received 7,400 upvotes and 508 comments, resonating with many who struggle with limited space on flights.

In the post, Oh_hi_Steve, who is six feet tall, illustrates the disparity in comfort between the two seating options with a split image. The top half of the picture shows their knees pressed against the back of the seat in front, while the bottom half demonstrates a noticeable increase in space, with their feet comfortably resting on the floor.

A caption shared with the post reads "As a larger 6 feet tall person, airline travel is very uncomfortable!! At least had the option of upgrading to an extra legroom seat on a Qantas flight recently!" In a later comment, the poster mentioned paying "$35 out of pocket for the extra legroom."

Asked to verify the accuracy of the images in the Reddit post, a spokesperson for Qantas told Newsweek: "It's really hard to tell from that photo, so I wouldn't be able to confirm," and shared a website link to the airline's seat options—including extra legroom seats.

Qantas is not the only airline offering passengers the opportunity to upgrade to extra legroom seats for a more comfortable journey.

Those traveling with major U.S. carriers can also opt to pay for extra legroom seats, such as the Main Cabin Extra seats on American Airlines flights, Delta Comfort+ on Delta Air Lines flights, and Economy Plus seats on United flights.

The lack of space in economy class seats is not just an inconvenience but can also pose health risks, noted a January 2019 study in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics.

The study, done among Spanish adult plane passengers, noted that "the increase of economy class airline seats is necessary because immobility on airplane flights can develop different pathologies, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism known as economy class syndrome."

The study advised that "the increase in size (body mass and stature) and changing proportions of the human body over the past few decades should be considered in the ergonomic design of economy class airline seats."

The study's findings reported "a minimum legroom between 68.1 and 70.1 cm, and seat width between 50.2 and 52.3 cm."

"An international law should regulate a minimum SP [seat pitch—the distance between two rows of seats], LR [leg room] and SW [seat width] for commercial airplanes," the study said.

'Torture'

Many Reddit users could relate to the original poster's struggles with cramped seating.

BeautifulOk6158 said: "More than legroom, width of the seat is also very important. Difference between 17-inch width and 18-inch width is enormous on long haul flights" in a comment that received 2,900 upvotes.

Justeff83 remarked: "I'm 6'4" and it's a torture. The aisle seat is the only chance for me to sit with straight legs for a while. The headrest is more a neck and shoulder rest for me."

Motobox14 shared their discomfort on a long-haul flight, saying: "I'm 6'2" and had my first trans Atlantic flight earlier this year. The most miserable 10 hours (x2) of my entire life. My knees were in the back of the seat in front of me without the person reclining. I decided I don't need to go to Europe again."

User anonanon5320 noted the benefits of upgrading, writing: "I got a free upgrade on a United flight and it does make a difference."

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via the Reddit messaging system.