FAA called on to make air travel more comfortable

August 19, 2019 1:44 pm

By News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

WARWICK, R.I (WLNE) – Member’s of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make air travel safer and more comfortable.

U.S Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman David Cicilline, and Congressman Jim Langevin joined with airport officials made the announcement at T.F Green Airport in Warwick.

Senator Whitehouse advocated for a provision signed into law last fall that directed the FAA to propose a minimum seat width and the minimum distance between rows of seats.

The FAA must meet the requirements by October of this year, according to the law.

The agency indicated that it will take the initial steps to fulfill that requirement later in the year.

Whitehouse, who is a sponsor of legislation reintroduced earlier this month to create an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, said, “Airlines have increasingly turned to cramming additional seats on board as a way to grow profits and expense of the comfort and even safety of the passengers.”

“Congress has directed the FAA to make flying a better experience for consumers by setting a reasonable minimum for the size and pitch of airplane seats. We look forward to the FAA following through on this requirement.”

Congressman Langevin also introduced legislation to establish additional protections and close service gaps for disabled passengers.

“As the October deadline approaches for the FAA to come up with measurement requirements for airline seats, I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in calling for their regulations to address the safety hazards created by smaller and spacious seating,” Cicilline said.

“It’s time for the administration to realize that this is about much more than just being able to stretch out your legs. This decision will have a serious impact on airline safety for years to come, and I hope that the FAA is rendering their decision with that in mind.”

According to the Travel website SeatGuru, the average seat pitch in coach has narrowed from about 35 inches to 31 inches in recent years, with some being as low as 28 inches.

Average seat width has shrunk from 18 inches to 17 inches or less, which could make it difficult for passengers to quickly exit the aircraft.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require that passengers be able to exit a plane within 90 seconds in an emergency.

The Inspector General at the U.S DOT recently launched an audit reassess these evacuation standards, siting changes to consumer behavior and smaller seat sizes.

The regulations have not been updated since 1990.

Lori Bassani, National President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, said: “the issues of seat size and seat pitch are no just about comfort.”

Bassani also stated, “there are significant safety issues that deserve to be examined and that is why this provision had virtually unanimous bipartisan support. The FAA needs to stop dragging its feet and conduct this much-needeed study now. As the first responders responsible for emergency evacuations we need to know the results. “