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Why are airline seats so small? It all started in 1978.
- Airline seats have been shrinking over the years, with experts confirming that some seats are indeed getting smaller even as passengers are getting larger.
- Shrinking seats, alongside fuller flights, may pose potential health risks and make emergency evacuations more difficult and dangerous.
- Major carriers have lost legroom and seat width, with average legroom decreasing from 35 inches to 31 inches since the 1980s.
- American, Delta, Southwest, and United have seen reduction in seat sizes gradually, prompting complaints from travelers about lack of legroom and comfort.
- Americans have increased in size over the years, yet airline seats have not adjusted accordingly, creating discomfort for passengers.
- Deregulation in 1978 led to shrinking seats, increased fees, and a dual-tier system in air travel favoring business travelers over others.
- Smaller seats not only cause discomfort but could also pose safety risks during longer flights and emergency evacuations.
- FAA conducted a test simulation on emergency evacuations but faced criticism for not reflecting real-world conditions, leading to calls for revised testing procedures.
- Passengers can mitigate the effects of small seats by considering seat upgrades, standing and moving during flights, and possibly taking measures to reduce health risks.
- Travelers are advised to use their best judgment to counteract potential health effects of prolonged sitting in cramped conditions on flights.
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