Space gets tighter onboard easyJet

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.

Comments  

-12 #3 Lima da Pires 2015-05-14 12:30

Airline operators are still thinking too much about the public relations aspect and not enough about the airline's bottom line.

For example : PPP's may be having their wings clipped. As an ex-brewery executive I need a steady return. If I am to buy into TAP when it is privatised - I want to get something back.

I will be pushing for the TAP low cost to convert its fleet to a mix of strap hanging and seating. Also using overhead locker space for children and small adults.

With an international standardised height bar to check - oh and forgot to mention - also a Dulux colour chart to assess 'colour of skin' and therefore pricing of seats (if you get one).

-10 #2 Kari 2015-05-14 10:12

It's cosy enough on board. I'm not overweight but I am disabled and the lack of space is somewhat uncomfortable

-8 #1 Peter Booker 2015-05-14 07:32

If they make the seats narrower, and the people get fatter, then we are well on the way to selling two seats for every overweight passenger.

I would still like to see a system where each passenger and his luggage is considered as a whole, and charged accordingly for every kilogram carried by the aircraft.

So thin people would be able to take more baggage, and fat people would need to either buy two seats, or take less luggage.

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