Citing the shrinking space airlines afford customers and the possible safety ramifications, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is seeking minimum standards for airplane seating.
Blumenthal said Federal Aviation Administration has not conducted tests to determine if passengers can safely evacuate from today’s increasingly cramped airplane cabins. He also expressed concerns about increased risk for blood clots and pulmonary embolisms due to lack of adequate leg room.
He cited research showing the average airline seat width has shrunk from 18 to 16.5 inches since airline deregulation in 1978. He said legroom shrunk from 35 to 31 inches over the same time period.
The senator plans to file an amendment to the FAA’s reauthorization bill when it’s considered before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, on which Blumenthal sits. His amendment would require the FAA to adopt minimum seat space standards.
“We require minimum cargo space for traveling animals, yet inexplicably and inexcusably have no such measure to protect human passengers,” he said in a statement.
