Delta Airlines To Install Non-Painful Economy Seating

Nice to finally see a US carrier actually take charge and lead the industry in the way it should go. Now, lets see them make some money...

I'm not sure how staggering the seats creates any more legroom, since the seat in front of you would be staggered just as much (unless you are not in the window seat of the front row). I can only assume they are putting fewer seats in, as they would have to increase the distance between them, and lose a row due to the staggering.

The headrest is an excellent idea. The movable ones in economy currently just slip away as soon as you lean on them, and the inflatable supports just don't cut it.

so a side head rest is great- but it appears these do not recline which would be a bad tradeoff...

My guess is that the L-shaped section adds stiffness to the chairs and means that the 2" can be trimmed from the actual thickness of the chair back.

So I guess with this configuration of seats Delta is planning on catering to single and business travelers only... if I can't comfortably talk to my wife, or if parents can't watch and control their kids.. I'll be flying on another pair of wings.

As long as you don't take a window seat, you can now discreetly spy on your neighbors laptop.

Being a frequent traveler, I applaud it, if for no other reason than to skip the wonderful experience of having the stranger next to you fall asleep onto your shoulder.

And it appears that the lower section of the seat can move forward, probably achieving the recline function in reverse.

"if I can't comfortably talk to my wife [...] I'll be flying on another pair of wings"

I can think of a few people who might think the other way. Me for one. Last time we flew I pre-booked us into window seats in separate rows on the second leg, knowing we would both be ratty from the 10 hour first leg.

Me... I'd rather see wider seats for my big fat bumm and more arm and shoulder room. At 5'11 an extra two inches does little to increase my comfort... not sitting on my neighbor... now that would be comfortable!

Now if they can just follow most Asian carriers example of what customer service should be they'll be on their way to being competitive again. Living and traveling throughout Eastern Asia for the last 6 years I've been spoiled by quality customer service and polite flight attendants.

interesting, i still dont see how it will work without loosing 1 row of seats though...

former boeing employee

Great concept but am I the only one who thinks these seats look even less comfortable than the torturous seats already installed in every economy cabin in the world? The armrests look like they don't move so no more stretching across a row of empty seats for a nap. Guess they aren't counting on any seats being empty when fuel hits $10 a gallon lol

Anything to give tall people more legroom is wonderful news to us! Now we need to get some auto manufacturers to give us more leg room and head room. www.tall.org

I for one usually travel with my husband and we share many great moments of travel experiences in conversation on our flights. So with this type of seating, that would become a thing of the past, and we will fly another airline.

are those cupholders along the top edge of the seat? i'd be pretty peeved if some clumsy fool spilled their kool aid or coffee on my head because they couldn't get their cup squared away the first time.

what about overhead compartment space? just curious.

Seems like it is going to be harder to get out to the bathroom if you are sitting at the window seat.

If they don't recline that will be the best gift I could receive. Nothing worse than being pinned down by the seat in from of you!!!!

This new arrangement appears to take care of a couple of problems that, as a weekly cross country flier, drive me and most of my fellow road warriors a little batty. 1) The person who as soon as the wheels go up reclines and puts the back of their head directly in my face. I for one don't appreciate it and most of the frequent fliers I know also don't so we do not as a rule recline our seats.
2) The blogger complaining about the width of the seat. Go on a diet! However, these new seats appear to force your butt into the amount of space provided for you with the purchase of your ticket so I may enjoy the full amount provided as well.
I am also thinking that while there may be no new shoulder space at least the seats are staggered or self contained so the line backer sitting next to me isn't shoulder to shoulder with me.
I for one will be very interested to see how comfortable these new seats are!

The only possilbe way I think that it'll work, it that they move teh back row all the way back to teh back wall...These seats don't recline you see...you moving them all back would keep the extea row and add two inches...

there is a method to their madness, it will come in the way of extra charges and higher air fares.

The only possilbe way I think that it'll work, it that they move teh back row all the way back to teh back wall...These seats don't recline you see...you moving them all back would keep the extea row and add two inches...

So, the seats don't recline, and the guy sitting next to the window doesn't get the comfy side section to lean your head on. He'll have to lean his head on the window. And, I have to agree that it would mean you could spy on your neighbor's laptop computer. So, that's not always a good thing. And, you lose a couple of seats in the process in order to make more room. Plus, it's hard to talk to your neighbor if you are traveling with someone else. So, overall, I'm not all that impressed by this.

It appears that these seats are stationary, so you will be in an upright position constantly. Being staggered, if the one on the end were in a reclining position, it would be almost impossible for someone other than on the aisle seat behind to get out.

I have been fortunate to fly internationally on some rather empty planes. It seems the days of stretching out on 3 seats will be gone.

The increased legroom is definitely a long overdue necessity. However, this seat design is not pleasing aesthetically, and more importantly, does not allow face-to-face conversation with the person next to you. I, also, will be flying other airlines after they install these new seats.

I think this is great.... Any extra comfort with all the delays and over booked flights would be welcom. I will make all efforts to use Delta if they do make these changes. PS: NWA should do the same thing!!!!!!!

I would rather have wider seats so that Larger people would not be sitting on their neighbor. if they could accomplish that then I would be aloyal customer.

I don't like it at all. If I can't easily talk to my wife on a trip, I'll fly another and probably cheaper airline.

I don't like it at all. If I can't easily talk to my wife on a trip, I'll fly another and probably cheaper airline.

i happen to be really fat (i mean REALLY fat!)
i do not like this seating arrangement

i happen to be really fat (i mean REALLY fat!)
i do not like this seating arrangement

Wonderful! I don't see any problem communicating with the person sitting next to me and if I want to sleep I can lean against the side...this is a seat I will really appreciate!

WHAT EVERT

Very interesting concept. Staggering should help the "large person seat overflow" a bit. But have they tried to correctly install a carseat in one?

yo i like this website!
its very nice!

Regarding the concerns about no reclining, here's a blurb from the manufacturers website:

"The patented tip-up seat pan has made seat access much easier than seats installed at the same pitch. _The patented seat recline which slides down and forward, reclines you to your perfect lounging position._ This all happens inside your own fixed cocoon. The seat's has a fixed backshell, _which does not recline into the person behind._ This positions you into your very own area, with its contoured shoulder area specifically profiled for you to sleep."

So they do recline, but in a different way than we're all accustomed to. I REALLY like that the person in front of you can't lay back their aisle seat for 5 straight hours! Tough to carry on a conversation, though.

I work in the industry,I hate people who try to cheat by bringing extra carry ons that they know that won't fit n overhead compts.Some people
need personal hygene before boarding an airplane.Ohhh what about emergency
landing,can you help your child,an old neighbor?Looks good let's try it.
Good luck Delta.....At least yr company is tryin'to do something!!!!

I'll be flying Delta exclusively once these seats are installed just because I fly with my wife. Finally, some peace...

Bravo, Delta, for thinking outside the box. At 6'1, it is usually a squeeze for me and two extra inches, such as can get in Jet Blue, are heaven. Can't wait to try out the concept, hope it works, cause I like Delta.

Bravo, Delta, for thinking outside the box. At 6'1, it is usually a squeeze for me and two extra inches, such as can get in Jet Blue, are heaven. Can't wait to try out the concept, hope it works, cause I like Delta.

I think the airlines have a whole lot more things they should be worrying about these days

Finally an airline that gets how to do a recline without laying your head in the lap of the person behind you. It appears as though they recline like train seats do, the seat bottom and lower back slides forward rather than the back tilting...accomplishes the same thing without trapping the person behind.

How about losing some weight Patrick? It's your choice to walk around being a fatty all the time. How comfortable could that be?

I am built the way I am built wide not fat so dieting wont help. I don't enjoy sitting on my neighbor and now I wont have to would still rather have an extra two inches in the width for my bumm instead of two inches for my legs. Yes I am a linebacker... if I spilled over on you before... sorry but at least U have excellent personal hygene so at least you didn't have to smell me :)

I am built the way I am built wide not fat so dieting wont help. I don't enjoy sitting on my neighbor and now I wont have to would still rather have an extra two inches in the width for my bumm instead of two inches for my legs. Yes I am a linebacker... if I spilled over on you before... sorry but at least U have excellent personal hygene so at least you didn't have to smell me :)

Jeez, one airline tries to innovate and people freak. Those seats look sweet to me. Maybe finally some comfort for us regular types who have to fly coach. It looks to me that you will be able to talk to your traveling companion or hit on the chick sitting next to you. And when you are finished or that cute chick blows you off you can retreat in dignity to a bit of your own space. If they would just bring back free cocktails and some food I would be really happy!

I think it is a nice ideas. I notice when it is time for changes many are so notso accepting to try something new. The designs look nice and allow a little privacy and not clump up next to other passengers. I welcome the change. The seants looks comfortable. I Fly US Airways most of the time and the extra inches on 3 hrs or more flights are a big welcome to me.

It is already impossible for the person next to the window to get out and everybody can see what you are doing on your laptop. Honestly, do what you need to do on your laptop and put it away if it is that big of a deal. I like them at first site. I would love to sit in them and make and make an opinion from there. It is about time somebody becomes inventive and not living in this world that says flight travel has to suck. We probably will not see them for a long time, unless you are traveling international.

For those of you who cant understand why this seating arrangement allows more space consider the shape of the aircraft(tapered) at the rear and you can see why it is a more usefull arrangement

I'll wait and see what the seats are like on the flights before making a judgment. I can certainly see pros and cons to the arrangement. Not being able to stretch out on an international flight that isn't full could be a real bummer. And it looks like it could be difficult to talk to a friend/spouse while flying too. But I'll give it a chance. I don't believe they would be silly enough to roll it out on all of their aircraft without some trial runs and feedback first!

Predjudice against fat people - the last acceptable predjudice eh? Why do tall people get better service than fat people?

Will Delta be around in 2010?

they will be out of business by 2010

And by the way: Lucy, you sound like a very naughty girl! Maybe we can fly coach together sometime, staggered seats or not.

If some people could fly for free they still would complain FU<( you.
The airlines need to up the prices due to the greedy oil companies. Ilike this seat idea I will be flying Delta plus there planes are well kept

Somebody pour cold water on Lucy.

What field are her comments coming from on this site?

I'll give her points for persistence, but...

Well, thank you to the inconsiderate people who say that fat people just need to go on diets or fit in the space provided.....same idea to the tall people 6'3 and above...just go on a shrink diet and fit in the space YOU paid for. But, if we look at it as adults and don't insult each other, the airline is trying to accomodate the population it serves. It would be nice if they accomodated BOTH populations instead of catering ONLY to leg room. We would ALL be more comfortable that way!

(and if they insist that your second carry on go under your seat....What legroom!)

It looks ridiculous. Also, another person posting here noted that if you are flying with someone else it makes it difficult to talk to them. And yet another person noted that the passenger next to the window gets no headrest.

I think they're just doing it for the buzz...How it saves legroom is anyone's guess - probably because the seats don't recline.

And who wants to lean against the same greasy, smelly surface everyone else has been leaning against.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Can I sit in the aisle seat right by the bulkhead? I'll get great legroom there.
Also, what will the airlines do with the wasted space behind the 'window' seat in the last row?

If, instead of complaining about what you fear you will not like, you click on the link to the other article at the end of this one via the "product page" link, your questions will be answered. Mine were. I look forward to these new seats. I especially look forward to the fact that the person in front of me can still recline, but won't be in my lap!! :-D Also, being a tall person, the leg room is priceless. Let's be positive.

will Continental follow too? or we will have to flight Delta for this new feature.

Something must be off in the math for calculating 2 extra inches in the same economy cabin area by using these seats. At 6'3", my knees are in the back of the seat in front of me when it is upright, and, I have to cross my ankles or sit at angles to have any room. And, I can't see any option to recline to help circulation. Dealing with DVT will become a bigger problem in long flights from having to sit erect all the time, or, more and more people will be up and walking the aisles. Delta has enough troubles without driving away more passengers with this idiotic move!

at 6'7", and evenly proportioned from waist up and from waist down, i can tell you that i would rather pay $100 more in coach for more leg room and praying that the person in front of me won't recline than to pay $100 less to feel that a sardine at least is small enough and fits just right into a canister. it takes an act of a good flight attendant to recognize when a tall person should get a seat that is fitting.

I am not prejudice against fat people but if you do not understand the problem of being next to a person whom is too large for their seat, then why dont you try it and experience it fisrt hand? If I am sitting next to you and half of your body is in my seat, you dont see the issue? If you are fat or just some slob who has no manners I am equally offended. When we are flying together dont touch me and I promise to not touch you.

Same old thing :the US-carriers are light-years behind... by the time DL has finally installed their staggered seats Lufthansa will be on their way to install bunk-beds on their Atlantic routes in coach... not even to mention the new cabin designs of Emirates and such !
Once the Open Sky agreement kicks in you can say good-bye to dear old Delta, staggered seats or not, US-carriers can not compete with European or Asian airlines... there is a reason why most of them went to Chapter 11 and are still protected from take-overs...

Simple. Tall is not a choice. And I don't buy for a second that you are built wide. "I'M BIG BONED!!!"

What about, uh, "Persons of Size?"

For those unfortunate folks who need to purchase a second seat, this looks like an unworkable arrangement. Tell me someone has already thought of that.

And before you go off on the fatties, remember that there are plenty of athletes and others who are 6'7" and 325 in great shape.

For me, if they could design seats that shield me from DL's abusive Flight Attendants, I'd be all in favor of it, and even willing to pay extra to get the nice ones...

perhaps you should work to eliminate your big fat bum and stop putting the onus of your body size on others to deal with.
if you can com plain about your big butt, you can change it....

Very interesting concept. I'll be interested to see how well they work. Being a 6'-7", fairly frequent traveler, having a little extra leg room won't hurt. I typically travel with my wife, who is 5'-4". She sits in the window and curls up on the seat to sleep, while I sit jammed into the middle seat. This new configuration would at least allow me to stretch my legs into her space, giving me, what appears to be, about 6 extra inches of leg room.

It appears the seat slides forward to recline, though, which would actually decrease the leg-room...but, on a good note, it also makes the person doing the reclining, deal with their own reclining, rather than the person behind them.

By the way, for the guy who doesn't like reclining...try being my size (I'm an in-shape 6'-7" / 220....which is actually my ideal weight according to health professionals). I have my bum pushed as far back as it goes, and my knees still hit the seat in front of me...so I HAVE to recline to avoid odd contortions and extra strain on my back....while a shorter person has the "luxury" of loosening their seat-belt and sliding forward with their tooshy to create a little bit of a recline.

I would just like to point out that JetBlue already offered 2" of extra leg room. Plus their fares are lower and their customer service is supreme.

I am looking forward to these seats. Even when traveling with friends, its rare that I talk to them the entire flight.Further more, if others are discouraged from talking to their friends/neighbors, I don't have to over hear all those conversations. Also, I don't have to worry about some fat bozo taking up space in my chair. And I get a place to rest my sleepy head. I'm sold.

Great idea for the taller people but now what about the heavier travelers, as you know there are still just as many over wieght people in america as there are "normal" sized people, do these seats give more width also?

How do you get to your window seat past other people? is it a diagonal shuffle past everyone? these airlines need to realize that the first one to take 1 Row out of every plane and simply make more room between each row (and still charge the same fare) will have a "leg up" on the oompetition.

While I see this as an attempt to get some additional space (most obiviously from the reduction in the thickness of the seats), i am wondering how much additional space it will create and if at that additional weight the plane is still within its spitulated weight range to fly ~ well maybe the lighter weight of the new seats will counteract the extra weights to be carried. Secondly the arguement that it will allow for the person sitting by the wondow to get out without disturbing the other is higherly argueable. Will the two inch extra space mean the other passenegers will noit be disturbed? This move also serve as a good one for tall passengers like myself but what about others who might fly with any significant other(s). How does this encourage conversation and socialiation in a world in which cultural and regional boundaries are being lowered. I look forward to a day when passengers will be given seats based upon a set of questions they answer. The questions should range from single/ group travel. Willing to socialise on board. what are your interests etc etc. Then the seat designs in the carriers should suit all of these categories. I guess the aircraft industry should start its own "mass customisation" process. Lets see who takes my advise ~ this insight is free.

I don't think people are seeing this correctly. If you missed it, they're not just staggered, they're turned on a diagonal. This is how they're getting more room. It appears that the window seat gets a bit smooshed, but otherwise a fine idea. (At 6'8", I applaud efforts to make the world better for tall people).

WOW! Finally something good from an American-Based airline! When will they trick out Asiana Airlines?

You tell it Patrick! Don't be afraid of your extra baggage... FAT POWER!!!

Nice thought, but it's already a pain in the butt to get in and out of the current layout as it is. How on earth are people supposed to get in and out?? But I do like the thought of it being easier to avoid talking with your neighbor when they want to yak and you want to sleep or work...

Dear Lucy and Rosa, no thanks, I am diabetic...find another place to promote your sorry selves.

These look great. If you really want to be able to chat with your traveling companion, just get the aisle seats in the same row. You should be right across without the barrier in the way. Meanwhile, we won't have to worry about being constantly elbowed by the stranger next to us or having them tell us their life story for 9 hours.... Good going, Delta!

Okay...this lucy chick is nasty!!! Way fat and disgusting...beautiful..is that what you call yourself? A hamburger is beautiful as well but in a different category...thats where you fit...between the bun and the cheese! Not even close to smokin hot...unless you like beef jerky!! Hope you find your 'sugardaddy'...might as well go for the gold...but you will be lucky to fetch cardboard prices...LMAO. Good luck lucy...or is that loosy goosy????

Hey "golfarch" why don't you just shrink a few inches???

you know I'm kidding --- right?? :D

I think this is a great idea. I also think the people freaking out about how they can't talk to their neighbor are just crazy. Although they are staggered, all you need to do is lean forward a little, and BAM!, you're face to face.

No problem at all.
But what I think is sweet is those TV screens. They look awesome.

I just want to know who the human factors engineer was for this endeavor because the way the website describes the manner in which the chair reclines seems to put the body in somewhat of an unnatural position thus placing some strain along the upper thoracic - cervical region of the back. Let's not even get into the lack of seat cushioning it seems to have. This might be ok for short flights; however, I feel for the travellers on international flights because this sub-par design may have increased your risk of DVT.

~Just my 2 cents...

Is it wrong for lucy/rosa to be so desperate??

YES Yes YESSSSSS!!!!!!

i am a small little child with a sweet mustache.....i love these seats.....they are very roomy and comfy....much better than the seats out front of my single wide.

This rocks! It's much more private, and I'd rather push up against an impersonal side panel (that's why we all want the isle or the window -- so, we can lean against something impersonal, or at least away from the other person). This will make center seats acceptable.

Hey....look, its fat loosy!!! Have you been to the gym lately????? Quite blogging and go shave some lard off!!!!

I dont like the idea of the staggered seats, with a baby (no, Im not one of those parents who let their child scream all flight... I cant STAND those people) it will make it hard to feed him, let him know Im close, etc. I also wont be able to talk to my husband.

I do like the idea of not feeling like Im being sat on by bigger people. It's not fair to suffer through a flight because someone is obese. It will also be nice to not have someone drooling and snoring on my shoulder while the flight attendant refuses to wake them up to help get them off you.

I dont see how the staggering can help. It seems like it's wasting more space than it saves. I think the cocoon idea is good and perhaps seating "pods" would be a step up, where people are seats in facing rows, with the new slide out reclining. You'd be able to talk with your family, still have the privacy and with the right angle, you can avoid being squished by big bubba and his super-sized butt and obnoxious body odor.

I'm glad this horrible arrangment comes from delta, though. I've never come across a plesant, courteous or professional desk clerk or flight attendant from them. This just gives me one more reason not to fly with them and their snotty staff.

Excuse me Ron, but reclining your seat on an airplane is one of the rudest things about American society. I paid $300 for that one square foot of leg room and me and my 37 inch long legs intend to use it - all of it! I would never recline my seat. It especially p*sses me off when children recline their seat.

WAAAAHHHHHH! all anyone wants to do is complain and whine about things, so the airline tries to do something to make things more comfortable, waaahhhhh again.. you all are probably the same people who complain when flights get delayed due to weather, i mean really, how dare they not take you to disneyland with your obese kids and bermuda shorts when there is only 6" of ice on the plane, i mean really who do they think they are.. and these people sit at home and have the nerve to blame others for what our society has become.. tragic!

Complaints listed here: 1) Doesn't look like they recline. (Good! A slight recline is nice, but as someone else said, I hate the person in front of me leaning back and crushing my knees with the back of their chair. I'm already cramped in there enough.) 2) Prefer wider seats for fatties. (oversized people cost everyone else in comfort in the space that they appropriate from their neighbors, extra operating costs to the airline that raise ticket prices, etc. The current seats are wide enough if people quit eating so much crap.) 3) People say they'll fly another airline if they can't talk to their wife or traveling companion. (Good! More incentive for me to fly with Delta. I don't have to listen to you blather while I am cramped in a seat underneath someone's oversized body oozing into my space.) 4) At 5'11" this may not be a direct benefit to you, but it is to taller people that are more prevalent since these planes were originally designed. Height is not based on dietary excess like overall size and weight is. Remove the terms "biggie size." "big gulp." and "super-size" from your vocabulary.

65% of Americans are considered overweight. What percentage is taller than average? I think they are appealing to the wrong group. Widen the seats and then everyone can be more comfortable. I for one purchase two seats when I fly - I neither want to squish or be squished. I won't be able to do that on Delta.

about fucking time that they are doing this. Domestic planes have the worst seats and services.

I certainly understand that people have certain size. If we all start demanding about size, it's great to have a seat that you can fit in it. It will cost money to replace those seats with a larger one. While we are still demanding lower prices on the airline's fare. Just like getting a car. If I only can afford prius, yet I still have issue to fit in its seat, I will still drive it everyday to work.

How about we trim ourselves too? I lost a bit of weight (20lbs) for the past 6 mo. Changing the habit of consuming the right or healthy foods is the key. Just my 0.02

This is no brainer. Of course they have to reduce more seat to get more legroom. The idea to adjust seats diagonally doesn't have a significant advantage other than looking just cool.

If anybody loves cottage cheese dimples go check out the fat 'loosy'!!! Whoa...what a fatty!!!

I wonder if the seats still decline. It doesnt look like they do....

Will be great if all the leisure travelers who threaten to leave really do. Those of us who travel all the time for a living can have a quiet flight with out kids kicking the seats and chatty vacationers interrupting our premium work and sleep time!

Will be great if all the leisure travelers who threaten to leave really do. Those of us who travel all the time for a living can have a quiet flight with out kids kicking the seats and chatty vacationers interrupting our premium work and sleep time!

i mean recline, sorry for the typo

Anybody want a fat sugar baby??? A nice fatty with a lot of bounce to the ounce!!! I think you get a free bag to put over here head for each viewing!!!

id like to say all you complaining need to shut up. FIRST OFF when you recline your seat to sleeep, it cuts off room for the person behind you so you must be a rude traveler. Second the top part does recline back DO MORE RESEARCH. Third me and my husband are very tall and we always get cramps from the lack of leg room, iam glad there addresing this. iam very happt

You can also use the bag over her head as a barf bag for later!!

I'm sick of you complainers...

They are trying to make it more confortable and I'm sure that they've improved things. He's a tip, give it a try and all you fat americans lose a few pounds!

So!! is this for in nation or internation flights?????

if in nation PRaise the lord!!!

The best way is to have no reclining. I'm SO sick of people leaning as far back on top of me as possible, so that I can't see the screen in front of me, or get out to pee, or even eat because the tray is smashed up against my stomach. Whoever thought reclining was a good idea was a jerk.

I'm 6'4". Being six inches taller than the average man, I am also wider than the average man. Humans are three dimensional. Thus, when they scale up they do so in all dimensions. It is simple geometry. If you don't understand it don't comment about people who don't have enough room. It reveals your stupidity.

It amazes me that some clueless twits "won't fly" on this airline, because they can't talk with wifey! Hey! She is 2" farther away than before!!! You CAN still talk with her,

If you NEED to watch her every minute to be sure she isn't playing finger-me-Elmo with the passenger in seat 3, just tip your head forward (and down) !

Not sure where the extra room comes from. With parallel seat lines seems like it should be the same. Who cares about leg room? Those 18" wide seats have been around since mid-last century. People are wider now. Rather see 2-3" of width increase. From what I see it is not a good idea.

Hey loosy....how's your four kids doing? Did you ever get off welfare??????

How ridiculous is it that we are now being charged for a second piece of luggage??? Cmon, there has to be something we can all do.

"I would rather have wider seats so that Larger people would not be sitting on their neighbor. if they could accomplish that then I would be aloyal customer.

Posted by: pjlayton | Apr 23, 2008 9:44:52 AM"

Hold up, is the 'L' in "larger" capitalized the same way the 'B' in "Black", the 'A' in "Asian" or the 'H' in "Hispanic" is? If so, is this your invention or is it another lame new attempt by the gravitationally challenged to achieve parity with other groups? If the latter, it's incredibly disingenuous and pathetic. Eat less and better, move more and faster. That is all.

Airlines stick five seats across a plane that was designed for four. If they return to four, everyone will have their own personal space, and people can walk down the aisle without smacking others in the head.

Quit yer bitchin' For goodness sakes, how many of you people actually fly more than once or twice a year? It's called C-H-A-N-G-E! We need change to keep our lives from becoming stale and worn out! Try it before you dis it!

Lucy...what's your story...there is no michle2962 on seeking sugar....I had to look and figured it was a scam. Any more comments to post sweetie?

I hope all the safety factors will remain same for the passengers. This method should be comfort the passengers rather than another cost cutting strategy for this airline.

Hey Lucy,
Get a life! Find another place to advertise.

Hey loosy..there you are...thought you might have left us to go smear some more butter on your ass!!!

Lucy should be banned. Delta will probably spend millions on this, then complain to Bush that they can't stay in business without a government handout! And Bush will give it to them!

Most fat people are not fat because they choose to be so ignorant comments about dieting really outline how ignorant we are in today's society. Beyond that, many people that some consider fat, are not fat at all - their weight is proportionate to their height. America is a country of large people (tall and wide). The truth is that airlines should allow enough leg room and enough bumm room for its customers and provide their flight attendants with customer service training.

Hey, I tried to find Lucy, I mean Rosa, on that site and guess what, she's a spammer!!! Don't fall for it like I did, people!!!!!

Hey Jared, just because your fat ass loss made you some money from Subway, it doesn't make you Richard Simmons (even if you idolize and dress like him)

Screw you and your eating morality. I'll eat whatever I want in whatever quantity I want, and overlap onto you whenever I want. If you doubt my fitness, just insult me in person, and we will have a contest of strength.

Remember Physics. Mass = power.

You know lucy...instead of advertising for someone to take care of a fat chick, you could actually go out and find a real job. You could also stop eating and save a little money there. Plus, fat people make good dishwashers...there good at cleaning up slop!!

Ok, so if you are sitting at teh window, now how are you supposed to go to the bathroom if the middle and aisle passengers in FRONT of you are leaned backwards and asleep?

This seems like an interesting design in IDEA, but bad in execution.

Offset the seats in the other direction.

Being a resident of Hawaii, I dread the long red-eye flights to the mainland. The uncomfortable, sleepless nighs on crowded flying can are just no fun. I welcome this change, I just hope Delta makes the switch fast enough for my upcoming trip in June.

Aloha!

If any width was sacrificed to become greater length for foot space, then that would mean the isles running between the seats would get narrower, and become impossible to pass between. I really don't see how it is possible to increase personal space for passengers without increasing total passenger space. If they did away with the kitchens, and packed the meals into something that was stored in the pockets in front of you, then that would free up space. Military style meal packaging would work. When I was in the army, I found that the MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) were good enough, and much better than most airline food. Give passengers their MREs in a bag with a handle as they board, and they can easily carry their food to their seats and stow them in the seat pockets. Or if the flight is a just-almonds/peanuts flight, give passengers them as they get on. Drinks could be given out in drink pouches that would be easy enough to design. Airlines could even vending machines for additional or better quality foods and drinks in the walkway to the airplane.

Since this will only be on 767 and 777 flights looks like there won't be much of an impact on most people.

Legroom: It's not just for tall people. Everyone needs to be able to move their legs around. Keeping your legs in one cramped position for a long period of time increases the possibility of developing or exacerbating deep vein thrombosis. Even those who are 5'3" (like me) need to be able to stretch their legs, and I'd rather do it sitting down than walking the aisles.
Laptops: Easily remedied. Get a privacy screen the attaches to the laptop screen and prevents anyone who is not directly in front of the computer from seeing what is on the screen. Maybe the airlines could even hand these out for the duration of the flight the way they do earphones.
Reclining: The seats do recline. This article doesn't provide a whole lot of information. Click on the Product Page link for more details.
Cupholder: Neither article says anything about what looks like a cupholder at the top of the seat. I really hope that's not what it is. The first time some kid or clumsy adult misses it and their drink lands on my head or in my lap, we're going to have issues.
I'm glad to see an airline taking passenger comfort into account. Now let's take it one step further. Airlines need to stop raising ticket prices, charging for the second bag, laying off ground crews and flight attendants and trying to get pilots to take pay cuts. Want to know where to save money? How about taking a look at the executive management teams' salaries, severance and retirement packages? They could save millions right there.

I think they need to inprove the comfort of the seats. The airline seats in general are the most un-ergonomic seats I have ever sat in even a small comfortable seat would be better than we have to live with now.

I think these seats look great. To me they look quite comfortable. They also appear to force people to be nicer to their fellow passengers by not reclining into their laps or falling asleep on them. At the same time, I don't think they would really impede conversation between friends/family. I personally have no need of extra leg room (I'm 5'2" and my legs are 26" long), but I do like a little extra space.

"The blogger complaining about the width of the seat. Go on a diet!..." dear Mr. trvlnbchlvr though i am not the blogger spoken of take in to consideration that not all wide people are fat. i my self am a large person. i try to ne i work to be. with a 49 inch chest that is predominatly muscle. and not counting shoulders in to that i tend to be quite uncomfortable when any one sits next to me and be the look of these seats how are the larger peoplr suppose to fit in to them. for the extra large as well they can no longer buy multiple seats for there own confort so where is the thought there.

I'm going to miss being able to stretch out across several seats on long over night flights. I always felt like I was getting away with something when I got to do that. But then again with more leg room in the sitting postion maybe I won't need to stretch my legs so much. --- I am also concerned about the person to the left being able to look over someones shoulder to view their laptop. I wonder what solution they will come up with for that?

And, yes, Lucy and Rosie, it is just wrong to have a sugar daddy, it is a sin in the sight of God. The Bible says in Matthew 5:27 & 28, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery.""But I say to you that whosoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

As most Americans know, at least those born here, "Do not commit adultery" is one of the Ten Commandments. Now, you cannot plead ignorance when you stand before God on the Day of Judgment. Oh, and for the rest of you who do not believe in God and His Son, Jesus the Christ, not believing now won't save you later, either. Truth is truth and your non-belief does not change it to a lie.

Lowest Priced Calling Cards online!!!!!

www.Com4Cents.com

I don't think this is a good idea. Do these new seats recline? How do you get more leg room unless you make the back of the seat thinner, like the Recaro in the European planes? How about stretching for a nap over 2-3 empty seats? I once flew Delta on an international flight, but their lousy service prevented me from doing it again :-)

Uh.... I travel first-class. You really don't worry about much of anything in first-class. Try it, its awesome.

Speed = more power. Learn some physics, Randy.

I'm 5'4 and travel with my 6'4 husband. I think this is fantastic. We are frequent fliers and on our last trip, some a-hole was in front of my husband (whose legs often touch the seat in front of him) continued to slam her seat back and cram it into his legs. She even turned around, looked to see why it would not fully recline, and continued to try to force the seat back. She had the whole row next to her and did not move, lay horizontal, whatever. You know who you are, ATL to BOS...have some manners. Also, how bad is it when you have a drink on your tray table and some dandruff-ridden, greasy head is in your lap...UGH.

As far as not being able to speak to each other, I'll catch him when we land.

And, Lucy...Ricky called, he wants his laptop back. Go away.

Being a lifelong NWA flyer, this makes me a little less hesitant about the merger. This is a great idea and im glad to see it coming from the airline I will be flying on.

Loosy sounds like she needs to get laid. If you ever get out to Sacramento, give me a call.

Just to add to my comment, why aren't golf clubs 40lbs or more? According to your logic you'd be able to hit the ball further.

You know what they say about opinions being like ***holes - everybody has one..... We all have preferences. I don't want to sit next to Rico Sua~vay wearing the entire bottle of cologne. I don't want to sit with your kids. I don't want to listen to your headphones. I don't want to smell your B.O. I don't want your reclined seat in my lap and don't want to hear your annoying laughter/conversation over the entire flight. I don't want you to touch me either. I really think airplane seats are TINY whether you are small, med, large, extra large. They are like child car seats. People are diverse, all shapes and sizes. Those demanding larger people lose weight, go on a diet, lose their fat butt, etc are IGNORANT. First of all, it's a FLIGHT. It lasts a few hours. Do you share an environment once you arrive? Should we remove children and fat people and tall people from the sidewalk that you plan on walking? We all need some tolerance. Sounds like everyone generally agrees that the seats are small, horizontally, vertically. I think the airlines should listen and react.
We are all people, regardless of our preferences for thin, fat, short, tall. Do you have to be so mean and degrading to others? GROW UP.

I think this concept work fine and other airlines will adopt soon after. It will be a big relief to a long hauler who do not have money for luxury classes.

Ignorance sure is bliss...Some info from a former flight attendant and daughter of Boeing retirees: Reclining...look closely at the photo and it seems pretty obvious that seat bottom and lumbar support move forward to give you reclining action, which lets you recline w/o invading the person behind you. Stretching out across empty rows...good luck finding an empty row on many (if any) flights as these seats are only being installed on Jumbo Jets (hello, the numbers of long haul flights are being reduced as carriers CAN NOT afford to fly planes that are not full). Seat width....yep, the staggering forces a person to only occupy the space they paid for (even as a large person, wouldn't you rather be pressed up next to your seat barrier than the stranger next to you?). Who said you "can't" talk to your wife?...you are just as close, it's just an awkward angle to carry on a lengthy conversation, which normal people wouldn't do in a crowded, close-quartered airplane anyway.

Great concept! But what about the staggering number of LARGER people who can't fit into just one seat?
No more buying two seats together for an extra wide backside!

HOORAY for these seats! I am not immensly tall nor am I overweight...but the last time I flew in coach I had some huge guy sitting next to me or should I say in my seat with me. Hey look, I know some people have trouble controlling their weight...but I had my knees in the isle, and my arm pulled entirely arcross my body sitting on one butt cheek and this guy was STILL in my space! Worse yet, he was eating chilli cheese fries and chicken fingers...no I'm not kidding!!! So I arrived at my destination smelling like greasy fried fat guy who was touching me the entire time with his pimply arms...gross!! Don't blame eating like that on a fat gene!! I'll stick with Delta thanks!

I don't really care about what Delta does. Their service is pretty bad, anyway and I try to avoid using them. last time I booked a flight to Paris through Air France and actually flew Delta on the outbound flight. bad food, no alcohol beverages included (you had to pay $5 for a can of beer). I flew Air France back home - good food, free wine, beer, cognac and so forth. The same happenedwhen I went to Chile, Delta had poor service, LAN Chile was amazing - the flight attendants were begging you to have another beer or bottle of wine. No, I am not an alcoholic, but I very much appreciate a good service. Here is the big difference, not the extra inch of legroom.

People don't come in "fat". They get that way by being lazy and eating too much, generally. I add "generally" because there are exceptions, but they are few and far between.

And what about the window seat person trying to exit to the aisle ? Looks like it will take more effort to go the loo

i like it!!

lauren- if travelers weren't meant to recline, the option wouldn't be there.

And, If the person in front of you reclines, you can regain those lost inches by reclining yourself.

just because you despise the recline option doesn't mean you speak for all travelers.
I flew 100+ flights last year- and believe me, the recline is a blessing, not a curse.

and randy-
I'm 6'1 and 170lbs.
my butt fits easily in every seat i've ever flown. legroom, different story.

however, tough guy-
your large mass means you move slower and less efficiently.
i'd drop you like a bad habit, without breaking a sweat. I've got stamina -you'd never make it the distance. you'll be weezing after throwing three swings. One missed punch and you'll capsize like an overloaded boat.

Feeling lucky, fatty?
Put down the twinkie and let's Roll!

lauren- if travelers weren't meant to recline, the option wouldn't be there.

And, If the person in front of you reclines, you can regain those lost inches by reclining yourself.

just because you despise the recline option doesn't mean you speak for all travelers.
I flew 100+ flights last year- and believe me, the recline is a blessing, not a curse.

and randy-
I'm 6'1 and 170lbs.
my butt fits easily in every seat i've ever flown. legroom, different story.

however, tough guy-
your large mass means you move slower and less efficiently.
i'd drop you like a bad habit, without breaking a sweat. I've got stamina -you'd never make it the distance. you'll be weezing after throwing three swings. One missed punch and you'll capsize like an overloaded boat.

Feeling lucky, fatty?
Put down the twinkie and let's Roll!

Is it wrong for a woman like me to be retarded and annoying?? It is an absolutely pathetic display, but more and more services come out on Internet focusing on this kind of condition, such as ...
http://www.IamRetarded.com/

Whatever happened to comfortable travel, courteous flight attendants, on time departures, meals and entertainment, etc? We all now travel on an air bus, a way to get there from here... nothing more and nothing less. Complaining about leg room, seat width etc does nothing as ultimately the airlines do nothing. In the end we must depend on our humanity and be courteous and kind to each other instead of insulting the fat, the large, the tall or even the short. We are all made different - be proud of who you are and be proud of what you arent unless of course you are a hate-filled, predjudice, ignorant ass.

I swear I'm not fat, but what about those really big fat people who now have to buy 2 seats together so that they can fit? I guess they won't be able to travel on Delta anymore.

I swear I'm not fat, but what about those really big fat people who now have to buy 2 seats together so that they can fit? I guess they won't be able to travel on Delta anymore.

"Hey Jared, just because your fat ass loss made you some money from Subway, it doesn't make you Richard Simmons (even if you idolize and dress like him)

Screw you and your eating morality. I'll eat whatever I want in whatever quantity I want, and overlap onto you whenever I want. If you doubt my fitness, just insult me in person, and we will have a contest of strength.

Remember Physics. Mass = power."

-LM(firm)AO- Aside from the inanity of making threats to people in an online forum, Mass only = power if there is muscle that can move that mass, magnifying the force it can apply. Unless you're a powerlifter or a tackle in the NFL, it's likely I'm much stronger than you are. Therefore, not only would I not be there when your fat a$$ stumbles forward, I could cuff you upside the head as I sidestep your gelatinous mass. Anyway, I think angry fat people are adorable, all puffy and red in the face. Coochie coochie.

As for the "fat people are not fat because they choose to be" myth, it's just patently false. The vast majority (see what I did there?) of fat people are fat because they make a series of decisions that lead to their condition. Period. For whatever reason, they value the food they choose to eat and whatever fills all their free time instead of exercise more than they value their health. Which is fine. It is their right. Just don't cry when people judge you for it and don't expect society to cater to you because of your bad decisions. It is our right to be disgusted.

all you fat people should stay home and not fly...fat pig

It seems that Tom's body is in shape and he is very proud of it. How about you brain's shape, Tom? Different story, huh? You flew a lot last year? Good for you, Tommy. Maybe you are a bird, look in the mirror :-)

THANK GOD! I have very long legs (36 inch inseam) and I ALWAYS get stuck behind the idiot that wants to recline there seat. As if my knees were's squished up agains the back of the chair already. Sometimes I just deal if there's only 20 minutes left before we start decent, other times I say something. "Sir/Mam, my knees were already up agains the back of the seat, you cannot set your seat back while sitting in front of me." If I set my seat back, I always ask the person behind me before doing so!

I really hope that is not a cup holder at the top of the seat. If someone with long hair stands up or sits down there hair is going to come really close to there. Gross.

I think it is a good idea, and the fact that you can't carry on a conversation is even better especially to passengers that have to sit there and hear these loud chatters. Kudos!

So does this mean that we can lean to the side but can't lean back. I'd rather lean back. As a matter of fact not its wifer spaces we should be able to lean back futher. Its a nice concept though. To see these changes to keep up with the times. It just does not look to comfortable.

Look out for the next nickel & diming of America - Airplanes with pay toilets ! You heard it here first !
And while we're at it - an extra surcharge if you want oxygen+masks in the event of a loss in cabin pressure.

Delta may not be around 10 two years from now, but Rosa will!

Delta may not be around two years from now, but Rosa will!

Okay, everybody concerned about having an in-flight conversation with your travelling companion on flights with the new seating configuration, here's your solution (other than flying another carrier),
book seats on opposite sides of the aisle. You will be angled toward each other, thus saving neck strain from having to turn 90 degrees to chat.

they been chan