Two Airlines Decrease Legroom On Coach Seats

Two airlines have decided to shrink the amount of legroom available to those who opt for coach seats, according to CNN. However, those who decide to splurge for the expensive packages will discover they now have more room to move around. Such is the business of comfort in the airline industry.

JetBlue, who claims to offer the “most legroom of any other carrier throughout coach,” has announced that the amount of space available for your limbs will be reduced. The company claims to have removed an inch of space in order to make room for more luxurious accommodations positioned towards the front of the cabin. Those who spring for the higher-priced seats will have 38 inches of legroom.

As a result of these alterations, the company expects to add approximately $150 million in revenue this year alone. Your increasing discomfort is their financial gain.

WestJet intends to do the same thing with their coach seats in the near future. By removing about an inch from the less-expensive seats, the company can squeeze four new spacious rows into their planes. However, unlike JetBlue, WestJet is only offering 36 inches of legroom to those who splurge on the pricier packages. The company hopes to roll out these changes by the end of the year.

According to KDVR, WestJet executives are hoping these new seating arrangements will attract more business travelers.

“We know there are a lot of business travelers who are essentially flying in the back of larger aircraft that have first class and business cabins, but their companies don’t support first class for business travel necessarily,” explained spokesman Robert Palmer. “Those people we think are looking for home.”

These airlines certainly aren’t the only companies looking to shrink legroom in order to free up more space. Southwest recently announced they were cutting down on the amount of room available for its coach customers. In some cases, all you’re going to get is 31 inches.