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Frontier's new seating: 'Stretch' for some, 'scrunch' for others
Sure, I think it's great that Frontier is introducing Stretch -- a new premium economy section in the first four rows of coach that adds more legroom.But what I don't like is that they're not taking out any rows in back. Instead, they're squeezing the space between the other rows to make up for the extra room.
Sounds as though you're either moving up to riches, or being pushed back to rags.
Originally, seats were 33 inches in pitch -- meaning the space from a spot on your chair to the same spot of the chair in front of you. The Stretch section now gets 36 inches. The other seats behind are scrunched to 31 inches -- or even 30 inches.
Because of Frontier's tier class system, the only way that you can get a Stretch seat at the time of booking is if you're a Classic Plus member. For you, it's free. For everyone else, you get your chance at check-in. Those in the Classic class can get an upgrade for $15 per flight segment. Those in the Economy class pay $25 per flight segment.
You can currently find Stretch in the airline's Embraer 190s. A320s, A318s, and A319s will follow suit in the next few months. The new seating class just started earlier this month.
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Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Nick Nov 15th 2009 4:38PM
Airlines are ushering in a new-age class divide in our society. Really not a good trend.
Bruce Nov 17th 2009 1:33PM
I have flown Frontier in the past because I liked the egalitarian atmosphere in the cabin. There were no classes. Now with the ticketing and seating hierarchy, it is moving away from equality for all and toward a very un-American construct like the big carriers that I loathe. It is a living example of the progression Orwell outlined in Animal Farm. The middle class in America has been shrinking for the past decade. I guess Frontier no longer wants to be on the frontier of innovation but reflective of the growing divide in American culture between rich and poor.
dave Nov 17th 2009 7:37AM
Whatever happened to designing airplanes from the inside out, just like you design a house? the overall length should be determined by the size of the passenger compartment, not the other way around.
falling Nov 17th 2009 7:56AM
This is not about class...it is about some customers NEEDING more leg room! And hopefully larger customers will purchase the extra room and give their smaller neighbors a break! My husband and sons are all over 6'3"...with one sons being 6'7"...we are not rich, but they would certainly pay the minimal fee to move up and get a bit more leg room. If they upped the fee to $150-$200 then you would have something to whine about!
Juarez Nov 17th 2009 8:21AM
"NEEDING"? Yes a lot of people need more leg room. Should it come at the expense of everyone else? I was recently on a flight from DC to LAX and stuck in the back. I am 5'4" and I had to literally wiggle up onto my seat and walk across the seat next to me to get into the isle while the seats in front of me were reclined. Not everyone can afford upgrades and are lucky enough to be flying, period. I have been flying since I was in 3rd grade and flown all around the country and halfway around the world a few times. Being stuck in one of the rows that had been squished together, even at 5'4", was the most miserable flights I had ever been on. Yes, I know some people really do NEED leg room and for others it is a luxury, but it should not come at the expense of everyone elses leg room.
shermfa Nov 17th 2009 8:30AM
It's size discrimination! I, too, have a tall family, and resent that they charge more for leg room.
Unlike overweight people, who may be able to control their width, we cannot control how tall we are...but now must pay an upcharge to be physically comfortable in travel.
falling Nov 17th 2009 10:32AM
Like I said, if they were charging high fees for this extra leg room you would have a major complaint, but why shouldn't airlines reward those who fly with them frequently, give those customers a small perk? If you fly on this airline often, you will be given the upgrade for free...and if it is your first flight at most it will cost you $25 to upgrade should you chose to. It would be nice if airlines could give us all lots of leg room, I'd like to fly first class every time personally! But I realize that, like most of life, things aren't always as I would like. I am willing to pay to get what I want/need when I can, so I make sacrifices somewhere else in order to afford THOSE things! BTW, would you rather have my sons long legs crowding you or would you rather he pay a little extra and have someone with shorter legs beside you?
Glenna Nov 17th 2009 8:15AM
I had not traveled by plane for decades. Due to back injury, I must take a first class seat, but what really surprised me is that the first class seats now are about like regular seats used to be, only not quite as nice as things are obviously falling apart. There are torn cushions and many places where it is evident that much wear and tear and little fixing has gone on. It is sad to think what we gave up when we deregulated air travel.
PF Nov 17th 2009 12:14PM
Just fly Jet Blue, there is plenty of leg room, at EVERY seat. You can even watch TV on the back of the seat in front of you.
Kaye Nov 17th 2009 8:37AM
Hmmmmmm....... has anyone studied this for increased risk of blood clot formation.
ConnieJ Nov 17th 2009 9:05AM
Forget the leg room. Leave it as it is. What they really need to change is the reclining seat. There is NO PLACE for the seat to recline except into the space of the person sitting behind. There's nothing worse than someone's head in your personal space.
Another gripe is unruly kids. There should be a special section for kids, so I am not subjected to the constant kicking foot into the back of my seat. Don't say to tell the flight attendant -- there's nothing they can do about it except to ask the parents to control the child. That never works.
If you really want a pleasant flight, go first class. Otherwise, suffer along with the rest of us.
W. E. R Nov 17th 2009 12:55PM
The seat relines because it is designed for comfort while flying. It is not your personal space. Your space is from the back of the seat in front of you til the back of your seat. If you don't want to recline and be comfortable while flying, take the bus.
jocardan Nov 17th 2009 9:14AM
This is America, not the UK where there are definite class distinctions. First Class accommodations are bad enough but to further reduce the personal space for 100s of people crammed into airline seats is bloody well insulting! I'll remember NOT to book my next flight with Frontier airlines if that is how they want to treat their customers.
Bill Nov 17th 2009 9:40AM
"Robbing Peter to pay Paul" just demonstrates the mentality of these airline morons. They should all take a lesson from Jet Blue.....wider, comfortable leather seats with more leg room and free Direct TV.
lee Nov 17th 2009 11:20AM
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FRONTIER. PEOPLE CAN CALL IT WHATEVER THEY WANT, BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT
THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO CAN AFFORD TO PARTAKE OF THIS. WHAT PEOPLE DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE LIKE ME PAYS MORE FOR THESE SEATS IT HELPS TO DEFRAY COSTS FOR THOSE IN THE OTHER SEATS!
paul Nov 17th 2009 11:31AM
Don't like it don't fly.
Raine Nov 17th 2009 11:33AM
Stop complaining. If you don't want to buy it, don't. If you can't afford to fly, find another mode of transportation. No one owes you anything other than what you pay for. Sick of all you who think you are entitled to everything-- take a donkey or stay home if you don't like it.
Susan Nov 17th 2009 11:34AM
the rich get richer and all the breaks, while the average people get the shaft.
rhill639 Nov 17th 2009 4:26PM
I agree about the comment that the seats should not recline! That is where the main problem is. My husband is a tall man and we were stuck on a 4 hour flight where the seat in front of us reclined so much that he was literally lying almost flat -digging painfully into my husband's legs. The man pretended not to understand English- (really it was obvious what we were trying to tell him!) and the flight atendant refused to ask the man to put his seat up. My husband literally had to walk the isles for the entire flight (adding to other pasengers discomfort). We are not wealthy people and we travel by air for vacation only about once a year. This is why. If the arilines want more business- they need to consider the needs & HEALTH of their passengers.
And as far as 'dont like it dont fly'- get serious! Many people travel by air as part of their job- and with cost cutting measures- companies will not pay for a seat with extra legroom.
Rick Nov 17th 2009 4:01PM
Ditto on United. I flew UAL coach to Sydney with my knees in my chest. I'll add Frontier to my list of never fly airlines.