A fresh article on the USA Today website, “Smaller jets squeeze big and tall fliers“, caught my attention this morning as I was digging through my daily news feeds.  I especially like this part, which I find to be quite interesting…

Macsata says airlines’ “fat tax” overlooks the fact that seat size hasn’t kept up with increasing girth. From 1960 to 2002, Americans have become on average of about 25 pounds heavier. The typical seat width — at 17 inches to 18.5 inches — hasn’t changed since 1958, he says.

They haven’t changed the seat geometry since 1958?  Wow.  Not only does that make it tough for Big and Tall flyers, it also just goes to show that they really aren’t working much on the ergonomics of the seats…  which is something that has probably advanced quite a bit since 1958.  No wonder I’m stiff when I walk off the plane.  Ow.

There are a few good tips in here, which have been mentioned on this site before in our travel series:

Tealer has simple strategies for air travel: book as early as possible; fly during less-busy hours, such as early in the morning or overnight; and avoid exit and emergency rows where armrests don’t go up.

But there’s something in here that I’d like to specifically address, especially as a tall person, that I believe is not true:

SeatGuru’s Daimler says legroom in regional jets isn’t less on average than on mainline aircraft. But the ceiling is lower, and the aisle is narrower. “There is a feeling of being tighter overall. For those sitting in window seats, the wall curves earlier.”

If I fly Northwest out of Port Columbus International to the west, I usually end up on a Canadair regional jet to Minneapolis where I lay over and hop on a bigger plane to head to points west (Omaha, Salt Lake City, etc).  I’ve spent my fair share of time on them, and I disagree with the above statement.  I think you feel tighter overall because you ARE tighter overall, especially in the legroom department.  Go take measurements from the seat to the back of the upright and locked seatback in front of you on a Canadair CRJ-900 and then do that same measurement on an Airbus A320 variant.  I haven’t done this, but I’m guessing there’s a difference…  Sure, narrow armrests add to an overall feeling of discomfort…  but when my knee will literally not fit in the regional jet, but has enough room to wiggle around on an A320?  Yeah, there’s a difference.

I have to admit that I often consider driving anywhere (and often do end up driving there) if it’s less than 500 miles.  By the time I drive to the airport (1.5 hours), trudge through security (30 minutes to 2 hours), fly there (1-2 hours+), de-board and grab my luggage, rent a car (another 1-2 hours) and drive to my destination, I’m already at a point where I could have done 400-500 miles in that day in a car with a lot less stress (depending on traffic) and a lot more freedom to do as I please.

Regardless, air travel is a necessary evil that I often fight, but I’m always taking notes on a way to make the experience better for me and for those who would have to sit near me on the plane.

Comments, questions or otherwise?  Leave us a note in the comments section below!

Categories: Big & Tall Lifestyle, News, Travel
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