'In a tight space' - aviation news

Airlines shrink seats, offer extra legroom for a fee

As they establish a category of roomier economy seats, airlines are finding new ways to pack regular coach passengers closer together

In the skies over America, the squeeze is on.

Legroom on airplanes is going the way of free checked bags, pillows and in-flight meals. Passengers who want a little more wiggle room in their coach seats better be prepared to open their wallets.

The trend for cash-strapped airlines is to charge passengers extra to sit in a new category of roomier economy seats with names such as Big Front Seat and Economy Plus.

"When I fly, I no longer feel like a passenger, I feel like I'm cargo," said James Mewes, a retired Palm Springs lighting company executive. "The seats already do not have enough padding. They have gotten narrower, and the legroom has become smaller."

Mewes, who stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall, has flown for more than 30 years throughout the Western U.S., primarily in economy seats on United Airlines.

"The CEO and board members from United should have to sit in one of these coach seats for 12 hours," he said.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-airline-seats-20121020,0,7339991.story

As airlines raise fees instead of fares, taxpayers pick up the tab

For those who fly, the squeeze has become the way to beat the system.

“We take the maximum amount on board and squeeze it in,” said Susan Williams, explaining how she and and her family avoid baggage fees on flights from Reagan National Airport.

The art of the squeeze is a matter of measurements. When Ross Davis flew to San Francisco last week he paid $25 to check his larger bag but squeezed his other bag, five inches smaller, into the overhead compartment.

American taxpayers are feeling the squeeze, too, even those who never board an airplane.

When the major airlines began charging fees for baggage a few years ago, the rationale the announced was straightforward: Fuel prices had spiked dramatically. Rather than increase ticket prices just as dramatically, airlines would charge for baggage.....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/as-airlines-raise-fees-instead-of-fares-taxpayers-pick-up-the-tab/2012/10/19/4b0f14d8-0746-11e2-a10c-fa5a255a9258_story.html

India suspends Kingfisher Airlines flights

Indian regulators have suspended Kingfisher Airlines from flying. The airline which has been facing financial problems, has had its fleet grounded and been unable to pay its staff. Prerna Suri has more from New Delhi.