EasyJet is determined to give its passengers a tighter squeeze by jamming six more seats into its aircraft.
Currently the Airbus A320s which easyJet has provides space for 180 passengers.
The new A320s which it receives from May next year, however, will be fitted with 186 seats.
The aircraft which easyJet already owns will be retrofitted to accommodate 186 by the summer of 2018.
The Airbus manufacturer said it was able to increase capacity on its A320s to 189 passengers. At least easyJet opted for a slightly lower number.
“We are supporting the higher seat count with intelligent means to give living space to passengers,” said Airbus. “They retain the Airbus standard of 18-inch wide seats in economy.”
The “living space” quoted may baffle passengers who are likely to have to contend with more limited space between rows. Currently the space between one seat and the same point on the chair in front is 29 inches. The new model could see that reduced to 28 inches, although the final specification is not known.
The money-making game of cram the passengers is a general trend among a number of airlines.
Spain’s budget carrier, Vueling, is to take delivery of the same A320 model also with 186 sears.
Wizz Air’s A321 model will up numbers by ten to 230.
Ryanair requested that the Boeing planes it is buying for £7.5billion to be made to fit 200, an increase in the 189 seats on the blueprint. Room will be found by reducing the size of the toilets and the kitchen galley.
But at least on Ryanair’s current flights the seat-to-seat space is 30 inches, although the width of the seats is 17 inches, against the 18 inches offered on easyJet.
