Possible threat to Spirit Airlines
 

With Spirits business model being about low fares by cramming as many people in a plane as possible, this seems like it could hurt Spirit if fares have to be raised to offset the cost. Thoughts?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2018/09/23/congress-faa-seat-width-legroom/1403488002/

I stopped reading when I saw USA Today.

Plane Coffee

Have you sat in American Economy lately?


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Yes, however I don’t think they would be effected as much by this.

Have to read an understand the full details, not click bait..

a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, and after providing notice
and an opportunity for comment, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall issue regulations
that establish minimum dimensions for passenger seats on
aircraft operated by air carriers in interstate air transportation or intrastate air transportation, including minimums for seat pitch, width, and length, and that are necessary for the safety and health of passengers

FAA decides, not congress.

Key phrase "Safety and health of passengers". How many people has Spirit or other ULCC killed due to seat pitch?

Our seat width is more than many legacy carriers, especially against the 737 seat width.

So do I think the FAA will enact minimums for seat pitch and width that will require all airlines to make their seats fatter and pitch greater, causing billions of dollars in expenses for the airlines?

No, I do not think so.

Great click bait nonetheless

Good point.

I had a DH on AA and my god I thought it was Spirit! I was on a AA 319 and actually I thought I was on Spirit!! Very little difference now.

The difference is their fares are still much higher and the planes are old. Someone looked at the ULCC model and decided it was the new norm. Look at what the legacies are doing with bag fees....


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I work for Allegiant, and every time I deadhead or jumpseat on AA or DL, I can't believe how much more cramped their Airbi feel compared to those of the ULCCs. They have a lot of wide seats crammed into those planes, but way less of them than us, yet the plane still feels cramped and the aisles are narrow. I really don't think this is going to affect the ULCCs as much as the legacy carriers. If anything for economies of scale. They have a lot more planes to retrofit if a change is made than us.

But most likely, in true FAA fashion, they will pick a number slightly below whatever the smallest number currently is, so no one had to modify anything, then announce to congress and the public how much they improved safety and comfort.

Screw the government for getting involved in every business. If you don't like the legroom pony up for a company that gives you legroom. I don't want to see more regulations.