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Spirit Airlines to abolish reclining seats
It looks like the "recline or don't recline" issue can finally be put to bed. Spirit Airlines, the budget carrier famous for charging for overhead bin space, racy ad campaigns and general disdain for all passenger comforts has just started rolling out aircraft bereft of reclining seats.
Citing extra space and lower weight, the airline claims that this will help passengers save money by keeping prices low. But in reality, it's just another stunt to cram as many passengers as possible into the already crowded, fee-riddled aircraft. The Sun Sentinel has more details on the upcoming plan below.
Citing extra space and lower weight, the airline claims that this will help passengers save money by keeping prices low. But in reality, it's just another stunt to cram as many passengers as possible into the already crowded, fee-riddled aircraft. The Sun Sentinel has more details on the upcoming plan below.
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 8)
Ed Apr 22nd 2010 2:54PM
Never had a problem with reclining seats? I'd agree most of the time, but often enough if you fly enough, it sucks when the person ahead of you is practically in your lap. I vote get rid of them for short flights under 3 hours.
Feel like a cow, fly southwest.
Ian Apr 22nd 2010 8:00PM
I fly quite often and have never had an issue with reclining seats. Then again, I only fly real airlines with real planes. Ed, maybe you should try it sometime.
Mark Apr 22nd 2010 3:03PM
Anyone who flies this airline is an idiot. I would rather pay double the price for a ticket than to put up with this airline's complete disregard for passenger comfort. They say this will lower prices because they can add more seats. What about the charge per bag in the over head bins? They are nickle and diming people to death. What's next, charging for the space your feet use on the floor? Charging to use the bathroom? Charging per flush? They are probable going to charge if you need help from the flight attendant too. Are they also skimping on safety?
I wouldn't trust this airline to fly a group of chickens to KFC.
People need to send this airline a message by NOT USING THEM at all. I mean really people.
Ed Apr 22nd 2010 3:09PM
Yes!!! Charge for the bathroom!!! I vote yes for flights 3 hours or less. OK, your getting ready to fly, why not think and say, lets use the bathroom and freshen up, then get on the plane and relax.......but nnnnooooooooo.
Ok, the plane takes off, before hitting 10,000, some fatty needs a bathroom break. Then, when the attendants are serving all the free fatty foods and snacks nobody can live without, you have a few people in the way because, they just have to go to the bathroom.
I agree with Ryan Air and feel....start charging for the bathroom on short flights. I also think fat people should be charged more but thats another blog.
Of course, if you don't like this, just pay 5 times as much and join Tony the Frequent Flyer in 1st class.
Ed Apr 22nd 2010 3:14PM
Mark, you've got to be kidding.
Jetblue - I buy a ticket and always get the seat I book
Continental _always get the seat I book
Air tran - always get the seat I book
I could go on and on. I just flew southwest this weekend. I saw two fatty's leaning in so nobody would sit in the middle seat between them, WHO would want to they were so fat I don't think a child would fit. They I see a woman with her crap all over two seats saving them, oh, that number system works. Lap children stretching about, one guy saving two seats for people way back in line.
I think the southwest airline is great, but that cow call system sucks.
marie Apr 22nd 2010 4:12PM
Totally agreed with you...greedy greedy company...they need to be boycotted...who knows what next....a charge to read their old filthy magazines....disgusting !
Jennifer Apr 22nd 2010 4:18PM
mark there is already an overseas airlines that does charge to use the bathroom on the plane..
Ed Apr 22nd 2010 2:58PM
On flights less than 3 hours, an intelligent person. Tell ya what, next time I'm sitting in front of you, I'll just bang my seat back, stretch and share your sandwich, hows that?
I approve no reclinging seats because some people are just inconsiderate.
FatCatJRG Apr 22nd 2010 3:03PM
I will fly Spirit from now on. I'm sick of jerks with all their vital "carry-on" crap and morons who, before the plane pushes back from the gate, are on top of you in a fully-reclined seat. AWESOME!!! No more "hey, could ya' hand me the blue sweater?" from an overhead three rows back or dorks from 33-C cramming their herky, wheeled carry-on (equipped with radio, heater, back-up lights & nav system) into the overhead above 2-F. Flights will be more on time with a lot less BS. WAY TO GO SPIRIT!!!!!
Ed Apr 22nd 2010 3:15PM
Hey Tony, they only have cattle class on Jetblue which is the airline I fly so often these days. You do fly more than me, I only go every 2nd or 3rd week between NY and Fl. I pay my own way and 1st class is not going to work for me. So,
I approve no recling seats in cattle class and if someone doesn't like it, join Tony is 1st class!!!!!
roseyoungstewart Apr 22nd 2010 3:06PM
When a person in front of me lean back in the seat and i had to throw up, i couldnt go forwards so i went sideways and i threw up on the man next to me shoes and pants. It was a mess. Then i got my seat changed. i never did find out what happened to his pants and shoes.
comisar99 Apr 22nd 2010 3:08PM
This is a WONDERFUL airline as they will be re-named as the New Democratic Obama airlines, because THIS is what is going to happen with your new health care too
Brigette Apr 22nd 2010 3:10PM
Yes!! Yes! I hope all the airlines follow suit. People who put the seat back are simply rude, they know they are smashing the legs of the person behind them and don't care. There have been times I haven't been able to use my tray table because I couldn't get it fully open thanks to them. You have to have the balls to ask them to move their seat back, which I've done. Though I try not to do it, it almost forces you to put your own seat back and smash the person behind you. I really hope all the airlines follow suit.
kb1 Apr 23rd 2010 12:08AM
i can't get the tray down in an exit row without anybody reclined in front of me. course im 6'8 and now way in hell would i ever consider spirit. delta is my choice and they always let me grab an exit row.
Mark Apr 22nd 2010 3:17PM
I have news for you people....if they get rid of the reclining seats, its to add more rows of seats so they can make more money. What do you think that is going to do to your legroom? The seat in front of you will still be in your lap. Only now there is no escaping it because you cannot recline your seat back to make more room.
And do you really think they are doing this for YOUR comfort? Hell no! It's for the almighty dollar. This is just the start of what this airline is going to charge for. I predict in a future you will only have use of your oxygen mask and floating seat cushion if you PRE-PAID for this service.
This airline is appalling. They don't give a crap about their passengers. They are just spinning it to make it look that way.
I will see you all on Southwest in a few months.
Becky Apr 23rd 2010 9:06AM
What legroom? I haven't had "legroom" in years, and I'm only 5'4".
bb8832119 Apr 22nd 2010 3:20PM
As a frequent flyer i never recline my seat if someone is seated behind me.However, i use this approach if a person in front of me insists on reclining theirs in my lap. I politely ask them to move their seat up a little as to give me some room. If they decline i use the next few minutes to drop and return my tray table over and over pushing it down and returning it to it's "upright position" pushing the back of their seat. I have not had to do this more than a few times to make a point. It is amazing how well this works. Most tourists don't even think about what they are doing. It's just "Look Mama we're on an airpane" Dumb asses
Mark Apr 22nd 2010 3:33PM
Ed, what I said was, or meant to say was that at the time you book your flight you are still only choosing your seat our of that is left at that time. If you were the first to book your flight you might have chosen another seat because more seats were available at the time.
They same is true for Southwest. You choose your seat by what is left....only you are doing it once you board the plane. I have flown Southwest hundreds of times and can count on one hand the number of times I was dissapointed with my seat. The other problem I see with airlines that allow you to book your seat online is that people show up at the last possible moment for the flight because they have their seat assigned. Then we are left with a ton of people boarding the flight close to the departure time and can cause delays.
Bottom line is, there are pros and cons to both types of seating systems. But people who think Spirit is making these changes for the passengers own good are fooling themselves. There are many many more charges coming from this airline. This is going to snowvball.
Barbara Apr 22nd 2010 3:23PM
I fly spirit when I do fly and am disabled. Have a bad back and neck so I have to recline the seat for comfort. To sit in these seats in a complete upright position is both painful and ridiculous. What is wrong with this airline? I fly it because they fly out of Atlantic City which is closer for me since I now have to hire a car to get there and because of the prices. To fly from Philly or Newark is way too complicated for someone like me. Please don't remove reclining seats----that could be discrimination according to the Disabiltity Act!! Not many regular people like to sit upright for 2 hours either-----
Goldie Apr 22nd 2010 3:27PM
I agree with Ed. Get rid of reclining seats entirely. In fact, I would like to see plain wooden benches, just like on an airforce transport plane. And they should charge by the pound, not by the seat. And they should let people off on the runway.