How Airlines Are Making Economy Seats Worse to Boost Premium Economy Sales

If you’ve ever flown in economy class, you know how cramped and uncomfortable it can be. But did you know that some airlines are deliberately making economy seats worse to push you to upgrade to premium economy?

Premium economy is a relatively new cabin class that offers more space, comfort, and amenities than economy, but at a lower price than business or first class. It’s also a very profitable product for airlines, as they can charge a premium for a relatively small increase in costs.

But how do airlines persuade passengers to pay more for premium economy? One way is by making economy seats less appealing, through a process called ‘densification’. This means squeezing more seats into the same cabin space, reducing the seat width and pitch (the distance between rows of seats), and removing some features like recline, legroom, and entertainment systems.

• Southwest Airlines Reveals Thinner Seats To Cram More People Onboard

By doing this, airlines create a bigger gap between economy and premium economy, making the latter seem more attractive and worth the extra money. They also make economy passengers feel more dissatisfied and frustrated with their flying experience, hoping that they will be more willing to splurge on an upgrade next time.

This strategy is not only unfair to economy passengers, who are paying the same or more for a worse service, but also potentially dangerous, as it could compromise safety and health. For example, denser seating could make it harder to evacuate the plane in an emergency, or increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in the leg) due to lack of movement.

So what can you do as a passenger to avoid the worst economy seats and get the best value for your money? Here are some tips:

• Compare different airlines and aircraft types before booking your flight. Some airlines have more generous seat dimensions and features than others, and some aircraft models have more spacious cabins than others. You can use websites like SeatGuru or SeatMaestro to check the seat maps and reviews of different flights.
• Choose your seat wisely. Avoid the middle seats, the last rows, and the seats near the lavatories or galleys, as they tend to be the most cramped and noisy. Opt for the exit rows, the bulkhead rows, or the wing rows, as they usually have more legroom and less disturbance. You may have to pay a fee to select your seat in advance, but it could be worth it for a more comfortable flight.
• Consider flying at off-peak times or on less popular routes. You may have a better chance of finding a less crowded flight, or even getting a free upgrade if the premium economy cabin is not fully booked.
• Join a frequent flyer program and earn miles or points that you can redeem for upgrades or other benefits. You may also get access to priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, which can make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.
• If you really want to try premium economy, look for special deals or offers that can lower the price difference. Sometimes airlines may offer discounted upgrades at the airport or online, or you may find promotional fares or coupons that can save you some money. You can also use websites like Plusgrade or Optiontown to bid for an upgrade and see if you get lucky.

Flying in economy class doesn’t have to be a nightmare, but it’s also not the only option. With some research, planning, and flexibility, you can find the best seat for your budget and preferences, and enjoy your flight as much as possible.

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