IT’S no secret that economy is where you’ll find the worst seats on flights.
Usually in rows of three with little room for manoeuvre, economy seats are usually lacking in legroom and comforts you’ll find in the likes of premium, class or first – and it’s likely to get worse.
Airlines are encouraging travellers to ditch economy for premium
Airlines are making economy smaller to make room for larger and more expensive seats
Some airlines are actually reducing the size of the economy pitch on planes and the reason is pretty simple, .
Filling economy seats means that airlines can cover basic costs, whereas selling premium or first class tickets is where they make their money.
By reducing the size of economy seats, or even taking some out altogether, airlines have room to create more space for high-profit cabins.
It’s a money-making strategy as it allows more room for higher-paying customers, and it pushes passengers in economy to upgrade for a more comfortable journey.
Seth Miller, editor of paxex.aero told USA Today : “Airlines are focused on the higher revenue that they’re able to extract from the premium passenger and aircraft cabins are shifting toward the higher premium mix and removing economy class seats to get there.“
He added: “Airlines are either removing seats from the economy class cabin, which arguably is better for passengers that way, or they are squeezing more in economy.”
Mr Miller used the US based carrier as an example.
The airline has shifted its focus to offer more premium seats – even though these are technically “economy seating with extra legroom”.
So those who don’t pay for seating with extra legroom on Southwest are going to have less legroom than what they have on the old configuration Southwest planes.
The airline stated in a comment to USA today that it had “reduced an inch of pitch” in its economy seats.
Southwest Airlines has reduced economy seats to make room for premium
The reason why airlines aren’t just expanding their premium to first class cabins while leaving economy seats as they are, is because most are refitting planes rather than introducing new fleets.
Another reason for expanding premium is due to supply and demand, as airlines have seen a surge in tickets in the past five years.
To meet the needs of willing to pay more, airlines will consider upping the number of premium seats.
USA Today revealed one airline set to do this is who will “invest in more premium cabin products and capacity in the coming years”.
According to Which? one of the long-haul airlines with the smallest economy seats is with 30-31 inch seat pitch and 17.5 inch seat width.
Premium economy and above tend to had better menus and other added extras
In general, premium economy seats have five to seven more inches of legroom than standard economy.
They also have two to three extra inches of reclining ability, and slightly wider seats.
Often with a premium economy ticket, passengers get priority services check-in and boarding as well as higher baggage allowance.
On the flight, other added features include footrests, adjustable headrests, more luxurious meal services.
But of course, it will cost more, a premium economy ticket can be anywhere from 30 per cent to double the price of an economy ticket.
A round-trip ticket in October from to (JFK) in economy starts from £356 with Virgin Atlantic.
The economy light seat is a 31 inch pitch, checked baggage isn’t included, 10kg carry on bag, meals and drinks included, and alcohol, and soft drinks provided.
Whereas upgrading to premium for the dates starts from £1,692.82.
Included in the premium offering is an extra large seat, two check bags at 23kg, 10kg carry on bag, priority boarding and check in, premium dining experience as well as alcohol, and soft drinks provided.
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Airlines are making economy seats smaller to encourage a more to premium 
