Uncomfortable seats are top gripe of airline passengers

A survey found that uncomfortable seats were the top gripe of airline passengers. (Sandy Huffaker / Getty Images)

By Hugo Martin

March 3, 2013, 10:00 a.m.

Airline fees are among the most annoying aspect of commercial flying, but the biggest gripes among passengers are uncomfortable seats and tight legroom.

That was one of the key findings of the latest survey of more than 2,000 people in the U.S. by the travel review site TripAdvisor.com.

After uncomfortable seats and hefty passenger fees, the travelers who were surveyed said unpredictable flight delays, long security lines and obnoxious passengers were the biggest annoyances.

The most irritating fees, according to the survey, are charges to check bags, carry bags into the cabin, upgrade to a better seat, print a boarding pass and buy in-flight extras.

With all of those complaints, you might think fewer people would want to fly.

Instead, 91% of those who were surveyed said they planned to take a flight at least once in 2013, up from 86% who said they flew last year.

“It seems equally clear that these challenges are not limiting the increasing demand for flights,” said Bryan Saltzburg, a general manager at TripAdvisor.

ALSO:

Airlines shrink seats, offer extra legroom for a fee

Denver firm designs airline seat that slides

Heard about airline seats that double as toilets? Utter loo-nacy

Comments (6)

Add / View comments | Discussion FAQ

FDR III at 7:51 AM March 04, 2013

Consumers have proven time and again they will choose the lowest prices on air travel. The airlines have responded, but the only way to cut prices is to cut costs. Get used to cramped, uncomfortable spaces -- unless you're willing to pay more $$ for comfort.

TKLA-67 at 7:10 AM March 04, 2013

Did you know that most airlines trimmed foam off the seat to save weight?

That's why it has seemed so much more lumpy the past few years.

MissMarple at 4:11 PM March 03, 2013

If the seats would recline 5 inches, that would help, but the seat bottoms are the real problem for me. Maybe if you have more meat on your bones or still have a butt, it isn't as bad, but at my age I don't have much down there anymore, so there isn't much between the seat and my bones. I really feel it, and it feels like I'm sitting on a board. Frankly, I would rather they raise the price of the ticket $30 and take out a row or two of seats to give taller people more room. I'm only 5'2' so it doesn't do anything for me, but I see tall people suffering every time I fly.

They article sounds like we choose to fly. Clue: there is no choice for most of us. I doubt I will still be alive when the bullet train is finished from SF to LA, but if it is, that is the way I will go. Until then, I'm stuck with flying.

Comments are filtered for language and registration is required. The Times makes no guarantee of comments' factual accuracy. Readers may report inappropriate comments by clicking the Report Abuse link next to a comment. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.