THE ISSUE OF WIDTH

Economy class passengers have lost up to eight inches of legroom since the so-called golden age of flying. But manufacturers will regularly suggest that it is seat width, not pitch, that really matters when it comes to comfort. A spokesman for Boeing claimed that “single-aisle aeroplane seat widths have remained constant for more than 60 years. They are the same width since the 707 opened up the world for economy class passengers”.

Research, however, suggests otherwise. In 1985, according to the Consumers Union, none of America’s big four airlines offered less than 19 inches of width. Now, 17 inches is the norm, and United goes as low as 16.

Narrower seats mean there’s room for more. British Airways recently faced criticism over plans to install a new 10-abreast configuration on some of its 777s. But it was only following in the wake of most other airlines. United, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Emirates, Air France and Qatar are doing likewise. On the 787, eightabreast was popular at first, but now nine is seen as the magic number.

And we could soon see the first 11-abreast aircraft. A number of airlines, including Air France, have flirted with the idea, first put forward by Airbus back in 2015, of purchasing an A380 with 11 seats in each row. That’s a three-five-three configuration.

Boeing might point to slimline seats and “composite materials”, but even if comfort is not compromised by cutting seat pitch, cramming more people onto the same plane certainly makes it feel more crowded. What’s more, planes today fly at much closer to capacity than they did in the past. In 2017 the average passenger load factor, for all airlines around the world, was 81.4 per cent, in 2011 it was 78.1 per cent, and in 2005 it was 75.1 per cent. Before 2000, around 70 per cent was the norm.