Latest news with #economyclass
Condé Nast Traveler
4 days ago
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
These Airlines Are Adding More Legroom in Economy Class
Flying in economy class is not exactly associated with comfort. Especially in recent years, the go-to strategy for most airlines has been to shrink coach passengers' personal space to fit in more seats and make flights more profitable. But, mercifully for budget travelers, that trend is beginning to show some signs of reversing. When it comes to their latest long-haul international economy cabins, a handful of airlines are actually increasing the amount of legroom allotted to passengers at the back of the plane. 'Airlines have realized what customers really want: comfort,' Anthony Harcup, founder and CEO of aviation interior design firm DeepBlue Studios, said recently on the Aircraft Interiors podcast. 'If there's anywhere where we really need to shake things up, it's premium economy and economy. There's been huge advances made in both in terms of comfort—the seats are much more lightweight, better sculpted, even the materials and technology is far better.' One of the main impetuses for this is that newer planes are flying further, which means airline routes are getting longer. Smarter design allow airlines to give economy passengers a little more space and comfort on those extra long journeys without sacrificing efficiency. 'That I think is the next frontier,' Harcup said. 'You've got to start with comfort.'
Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Times
Most airlines ignore economy — but these are the ones doing it well
Ah, the golden age of travel, said no one flying in economy. Don't mind us: we're too busy trying to fold up our limbs so we take up as few cubic inches as possible, reassert our extremities on armrests or find a space for the puny handbag that was all we were allowed to take for free. Perhaps the boss of Emirates has a point. This week Sir Tim Clark said that economy class has long been ignored in favour of premium seats and is stuck in the 1990s. While there has been huge innovation in the expensive seats, including bumper premium economy cabins (Virgin Atlantic), snazzy double beds in first (Singapore Airlines), customisable lighting (Cathay Pacific's new Aria Suite) and 'ultra-first-class' (Lufthansa's Allegris cabin), plain old economy has remained just that. There has been some innovation. On the big blue-sky thinking end there's Global Airlines, whose first transatlantic flight took off from Glasgow to New York last month. The entrepreneur James Asquith wanted to recover some of the magic of the 'golden age of travel' with his new venture, which involves posh amenity kits and even champagne in economy, but after two odd one-off charter flights there's no indication when it might fly again. At the bottom end there is talk of stand-up seats, or double-decker seats, which the planemaker Airbus is exploring with the Spanish firm Chaise Longue, to pack even more passengers in. Unfortunately economy class is a topic I'm extraordinarily well qualified to talk about. You might think travel editors turn left but I find myself in seat 54K far more often than I'd like to admit. Over the past 15 years of doing this job I've flown on hundreds of flights in what feels like a billion different seats, from short hops on Ireland's Aer Lingus to long-haul travel on Air New Zealand. I have seen the state of decay across different brands in everything from 'lite' fares that only involve hand baggage and no food, all while paying hundreds of pounds for the privilege. Of course the state of economy varies hugely depending on the airline you're flying with, the aircraft itself and how old it is. Seat 26F on a knackered old Boeing 747 is not the same as seat 26F on a top-of-the-range Airbus A350. I'll take the cheap seats on an Airbus A380 — the world's largest passenger aircraft — where window seats in economy come with handy storage bins. But some airlines do a much better job than others. The Middle Eastern 'Gulfies', for example, are actually pretty good, although naturally bombastic products such as Qatar Airways' Qsuites — spacious cubicles for up to four sheikhs only, given the exorbitant cost — munch all the column inches. I flew from Heathrow via Dubai to Sri Lanka and back in an Emirates middle seat a few months ago; if you forgive the sensible beige-and-red colour scheme, plus its old-fashioned swirly carpet-like seats, you'll find hundreds of box-office films, yummy meals and some natty storage for your phone and glasses. (My only complaint is that due to Emirati taste each film had the language sanitised, so Bridget Jones's memorable line about the Iraqi dictator came out as: 'I'd rather have a job washing Saddam Hussein's cars.' But then that's not economy's fault.) Same for Qatar Airways, with 13.3in TVs and amenity kits that now clog up my bathroom. It helps that its Doha hub, with its indoor waterfall and garden, is one of the most gorgeous airports there is. • Dear hotels, baths belong in bathrooms. The clue is in the name Air New Zealand and Qantas deserve a mention for their plush economy cabins — because the distances that they fly are so great, they have to be state-of-the-art. Qantas, which is planning nonstop London-to-Sydney flights, has a 'wellbeing zone' for mid-flight yoga and stretching on its Airbus A350 aircraft; Air New Zealand has the SkyCouch, where passengers can lounge across three seats as if they're in business. Somewhere in the middle is our very own British Airways. Although it did away with its free short-haul meals years ago and now you're lucky to get a bottle of water and a bag of ludicrously small pretzels, last year it announced an overhaul of its economy seats on short-haul aircraft, with snazzy quilted leather seats and various fast-charging USB plugs. On its transatlantic cousin in the Oneworld group of airlines, American Airlines, economy passengers do at least get a big can of Diet Coke to go with the free nuts. On the topic of food, I've always had a soft spot for Air France, which serves free champagne in economy; Swiss, which gives passengers a little bar of milk chocolate; and Virgin Atlantic with its free pots of Häagen-Dazs ice cream. It's the little things! Give me any of this over the Chinese airlines' 'vegetarian' options that actually mean chicken. Space is the main gripe of those who fly regularly down the back. The average pitch — the space between the back of one seat and the one in front — in economy is about 29 inches. A Which? report from April this year found that Aer Lingus and Air Canada had the most generous seat pitch in economy for a long-haul airline (31 inches), although the American airline JetBlue beats the lot of them with its ultra-wide seats, among the industry's best at 18 inches. • The best business class, first class and premium economy cabins You don't need to cross the pond to find this, though. The Scottish regional airline Loganair has a 30in seat pitch, the most generous among the short-haul carriers; as well as space you'll also get a lovely Harris Tweed tartan headrest cover, a proper brew and a Tunnock's caramel wafer. But presumably not on its shortest flight, which lasts just 53 seconds, from Westray to Papa Westray in Scotland's Orkney Islands. In this very scientific analysis it feels mean to target budget airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz. They all get you from A to B safely with no faff; you'll have to bring your own martini glasses and caviar, as two TikTokkers did on an economy flight from New York to Miami. • Hand luggage: Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways policies explained That said, Wizz has started to fly medium-haul flights from London to Saudi Arabia — sevenish hours — with no free food, just one small handbag and no opportunity to recline the seat. You might need more than a martini to deal with that. If you are flying in economy, here's how to behave 1. Don't hog the armrests, especially if you have a window or an aisle seat. If you're stuck in the middle seat, this is your real estate to annex. Elbow others out of the way as appropriate.2. Respect the overhead bin space. If all you've got is an anorak and a tiny handbag, don't throw them up there with the Samsonites, which passengers have no doubt paid through the nose for. Put them under your seat and move them up there only when everyone else has boarded.3. Don't put your feet on the seats. In 2025 this shouldn't need saying but I've lost count of the number of passengers who disrobe and then put their icky feet everywhere — including poking through the gaps in the seats in front. Quite the mid-flight sharpener.4. If you're in a window or middle seat, control your liquid intake and don't tap passengers on the shoulder constantly asking to get up. This is particularly important on a night flight. What do you think airlines could do to improve their economy offering?
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Economy seats for the world's longest direct flight revealed - and they feature the airline's biggest legroom yet
Qantas has revealed exactly what the new seats on its upcoming direct flights from London to Sydney will be like. The Australian airline's new ultra-long-haul route is set to launch in 2027 and will take around 20 hours. At the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference in Delhi, Qantas said that economy passengers on the lengthy flight would have the airline's biggest legroom yet. The airline's Airbus A350 planes will have 84cm of legroom in economy as well as two USB-C ports for fast-charging, reports The Times. Travellers will also have a 33cm TV screen, foot-net and storage space to keep glasses and personal items in. Qantas said: 'The team has spent extensive time testing ergonomics, lumbar support and breathability of the seat fabrics in the new Economy seat. 'We have also put a lot of time into researching how to make the flight more comfortable.' The airline's research includes looking at the best hours for meal times and cabin lighting on its upcoming ultra-long-haul flights. The announcement comes after the president of Emirates claimed that airlines had been too focused on business and first class passengers. According to The Times, Sir Tim Clark said that airlines had been a 'bit slow' to update the economy experience for travellers. Recently, a potential prototype for a standing economy seat went viral online. The seat's design would see passengers lean in a saddle-like position, unable to properly sit down. Although the seat has yet to be picked up by any airline, a survey revealed that Gen Z travellers are the most likely to be up for trying the unusual seat.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Why Is Everyone Going To Be Traveling With A Pillowcase This Summer?
A trending travel hack uses a pillowcase stuffed with clothes to sneak an extra carry-on past airline baggage limits, disguised as a travel pillow. Flight attendants are aware of the trick and may flag oversized or oddly shaped pillows, especially on international flights or basic economy fares. Even without the hack, a pillowcase is a smart travel essential—doubling as a laundry bag, makeshift beach tote, packing cube, or even a backup you see someone boarding a plane with a pillow in hand this summer… take a closer look. Thanks to a viral TikTok trend, travelers are discovering a clever way to get around stingy baggage policies, and as it turns out, a pillowcase is more useful than it might seem at first. The hack: Instead of paying for a second carry-on or overstuffing your personal item, you fill a pillowcase with soft clothing (think T-shirts, swimsuits, or leggings) and bring it aboard disguised as a travel pillow. Most airlines don't count pillows toward your baggage allowance, so a well-stuffed pillowcase can sneak on as a bonus bag, no extra fee required. But while this trick might work in some cases, don't assume it will go unnoticed. Flight attendants are paying attention—and they're well aware of trending 'hacks' like this one. According to John Paul "JP" Deveraux, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant with 10 years of experience, TikTok and other social media platforms have introduced a wave of behavior that can create conflict onboard, from this pillowcase hack to other antics like passengers booking the last row and sprinting off the plane before others when the seatbelt sign turns off. Deveraux explains that while flight attendants are trained to be friendly and welcoming, they're also constantly scanning passengers and their carry-on items during boarding. That includes noting whether bags look too big for the overhead bins, whether someone has more than their allotted two items, or if something—like a suspiciously bulky pillowcase—raises questions about what's really inside. While neck pillows are generally approved, Deveraux says full-sized pillows can be flagged as an additional item. 'A pillowcase stuffed with clothing takes a shape of its own, and can draw unwanted attention with its awkward shape,' he says. Even if you make it past the gate agent and the first crew member at the door, there are still other flight attendants onboard who may spot the extra item and intervene. Still, even if you're never planning to sneak anything onboard, there's a strong case for packing an empty pillowcase. It takes up virtually no space, weighs next to nothing, and comes in handy in all kinds of situations, especially during summer travel. Here are just a few of the ways seasoned travelers use a pillowcase on the go: Laundry bag: Keep sweaty clothes or dirty socks separate from the rest of your stuff—no need for plastic grocery bags or hotel laundry sacks. Beach tote liner: Toss it inside a straw bag to catch wet swimsuits, sandy sandals, or sunscreen bottles that might leak. Neck pillow stand-in: Stuff it with a hoodie or scarf and use it as a softer, more hygienic pillow on long flights or road trips. Packing cube alternative: Use it to corral small clothing items inside your suitcase for better organization. Shoe bag: Slip your sneakers or sandals inside to protect your clean clothes from dirt. Extra layer: In a pinch, it works as a head wrap, sun cover, or even a towel if you're at the beach or pool and need something to dry off with. Some travelers even pack their own pillowcases for peace of mind at hotels or vacation rentals—a soft, familiar fabric from home can make unfamiliar bedding feel a little more comfortable. If you're still tempted to try the hack, know that it might go over better on some airlines than others. Deveraux notes that U.S. carriers are generally more lenient with these kinds of items, but international carriers are likely to spot a misshapen pillowcase from a mile away. And even if they let you bring it on, there's still a chance they'll charge you for it at the gate. You also run a bigger risk of having that pillowcase flagged if you're flying on a basic economy fare and boarding late in the process. Once the overhead bins are full, gate agents start checking all remaining bags—and if your pillowcase raises any red flags, it could be taken and checked to your final destination. That's not ideal if your clothes are just loosely tucked inside. Deveraux's take: He'd much rather have his clothing safely enclosed in a suitcase than stuffed in an open pillowcase, especially if there's a chance it could be checked. A better bet for budget-conscious travelers is to look for a credit card that includes a free checked or carry-on bag, or to sign up for the airline's frequent flier program to unlock perks that help with baggage allowance. Still, a spare pillowcase has tons of versatile uses for travel. And once you're onto the idea—even if you're not trying anything sneaky—you may never travel without one again. Read the original article on Southern Living
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Would you pay to stand on a flight? How vertical seats could be the future of budget air travel
Budget airlines are constantly trying to find ways to keep their costs down, whether that's removing in-flight meals or charging extra for cabin bags, but now it seems they could go one step further by bringing in standing-only seats. A handful of European budget airlines are reportedly planning to remove some of their economy seats to swap them for standing seats, according to Euro Weekly News. Known as the Skyrider 2.0, the new seat design, which is shaped like a saddle, is an improvement from the original that was first touted in 2018. The re-designed seats, which would see customers leaning at a 45 degree angle, have reportedly met safety requirements and regulations, and could be in use in planes as soon as 2026. The silver lining is the ticket price is predicted to be very low, although prices haven't been shared yet. The compromise is not only having to stand, but also endure a much reduced amount of space. Currently, a traditional economy seat has what is known as a pitch of around 30 inches, referring to the amount of space you your legs. But with a Skyrider 3.0, customers will have just 23 inches of space. Standing-only seats first made headlines in 2018 when a plane seat manufacturer introduced them at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, offering them up to the industry as a space-saving solution that would allow airlines to pack more passengers into the aircraft. The original prototype, known as 'Skyrider', was designed by Italian company Avio Interiors is more upright than a standard seat, allowing passengers to perch or lean, rather than sit down completely. Avio Interiors estimated in 2019 that airlines could accommodate 20 per cent more passengers with this new seat. 'Evolving market environment in short-haul routes is steering Avio Interiors to the new design of the Skyrider concept,' the company said in a statement that year. The seats would not work for long-haul flights, as passengers wouldn't be able to position themselves almost upright for hours on end. There are some positives to introducing the seat into aircrafts though, such as allowing more passengers on the plane and therefore selling more boarding passes. Avio Interiors also said that the new seat weighs 50 per cent less than normal seats, and has fewer components, making it easier to maintain. While some passengers could potentially cope with not sitting down properly for a few hours, the seats have drawn criticism since they were showcased at the expo. On an Instagram post from 2018, the manufacturers posted a picture of the seats, and was met with backlash. 'Whoever designed this should only be allowed to fly in seats like this,' one person wrote. 'I will ride trains the rest of my life, if y'all use these abominations,' another said, tagging various airlines. Meanwhile, the seats were also labelled as 'torture devices' and 'human coat hangers' under another post. Avio Interiors was not the first to come up with a stand-up seat idea, as back in 2003, plane manufacturer Airbus looked into creating a vertical seat, but abandoned it shortly after. Michael O'Leary, CEO of low-cost airline Ryanair, has also previously floated the idea of standing seats on his aircraft from as far back as 2010, likening them to 'bar stools with seatbelts'. He even expressed doubts that seatbelts were needed on a flight, as he vouched for standing areas on planes that could be sold cheaply. A plane is 'just a bloody bus with wings', he said in 2012. 'If there ever was a crash on an aircraft, God forbid, a seatbelt won't save you. You don't need a seatbelt on the London Underground. You don't need a seatbelt on trains which are travelling at 120mph.' While Ryanair's plans never materialised, other airlines have never made the leap to add vertical seats, and none appear to be gearing up to introduce them in the future.
