The Senate’s top Democrat suspects the FAA is dragging its feet over moves to address the issue of the incredible shrinking airline seat.
Sen. Charles Schumer is urging the Federal Aviation Administration to start the process of setting minimum seat size standards now.
The Senate’s top Democrat proposed the amendment giving the FAA one year to set defined seat standards as part of the FAA reauthorization bill which was passed in September.
The agency says ‘it is working to address the provision in the Reauthorization bill,’ but Schumer expects to have to apply constant pressure to see any progress.
There are no existing federal guidelines for minimum seat pitch and the FAA has consistently backed away from mandating minimum standards as it doesn’t view it as a ‘safety issue.’
The agency is also accused of having a ‘cosy’ relationship with airlines.
Still, Schumer is confident progress will be made eventually, and doesn’t plan to let up until it is.
"The FAA should get to work declaring fair minimum seat size based on science, passenger health and safety — not the maximum number that the airlines want to try and cram into the plane," Schumer said.
"The requirement will prevent airlines from continuing to shrink seat size and could force them to restore it."
"The only thing that hasn’t shrunk: airline profits," Schumer added.
"One of the reasons the airlines are so profitable is this, plain and simple."
