Travelling can be a hassle, especially when you’re deeply concerned about your safety and wellbeing.

Now, here’s something to add to your list of worries—airline seats that are getting too small for the average Australian.

New research with 20,000 adult participants done by the University of South Australia, Transport for NSW, and Victoria's Transport Department showed that the average Australian gains up to 3kg each decade, while seat dimensions on aeroplanes have remained stagnant.

Australian airlines are faced with a potential problem that may impact the health and safety of their travellers. Image source: Qantas.

Ian Christensen, Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre that produced the nation’s first anthropometry data, called the weight gain statistics 'alarming'.

'It's alarming because of the implications it has for our transport vehicles and potentially alarming for the impact that it might have on community health,' Christensen said.

Moreover, the study showed that additional weight may be an issue for travellers as 'changes in body shape dimensions over the past 30 years have rendered airline seating dimensions to be problematic and unable to accommodate up to 68 per cent of males and 22 per cent of females'.

According to Christensen, Airlines base their average passenger weight data on decades-old averages that no longer reflect the current reality of the Australian population. This poses 'significant problems for people in the Australian community who are at the high end of the spectrum in terms of either weight or height'.

'It would be prudent for all transport authorities, public and private, to make sure that the vehicles that they're adding to their fleet are designed to accommodate the community that actually exists and the people that actually exist, not some imagined average that is not accurately reflecting the current population,' Christensen added.

This issue is not unique to Australia, as the whole world faces the possibility of having more than half of its population overweight or obese by 2035.

Known American plus-size traveller Jae'lynn Chaney started a petition in April urging aviation authorities in the US to require airlines to give an extra seat to those who need them—free of charge!

'Is it right to squeeze someone into a single seat, causing discomfort for them and their fellow passengers, when a simple solution exists?' Chaney said.

'We're not asking for luxury; we're asking for basic dignity.'

You can read more about Chaney’s initiative here.

Local airlines Virgin and Qantas declined to comment when they were asked about their plans for future seat designs in consideration of the new statistics that were released.

The only accommodations being offered to plus-size travellers now are the ability to purchase an extra seat next to their seat and seatbelt extensions.

The problem also affects other modes of transportation, such as public buses and trains.

According to Senior Human Factors Specialist Christina Kirsch, Transport for NSW will be considering the new statistics in their future planning for public modes of transport.

Public buses and trains are also affected by the problem of passenger weight gain. Image source: Flickr.

'Our objective is to gain data specific to the Australian population so we can design public transport that caters specifically to our shapes and sizes,' Kirsch explained.

'These designs directly impact passenger comfort, safety, accessibility, and overall user experience.'

'By incorporating anthropometric data into the design process, we can ensure that work and transport systems are more efficient, safe, and comfortable to use by our staff and customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A new study showed the average Australian gains 3kg every decade, which may affect their travel experiences.
  
• The study states that airlines and transport authorities need to rethink their seating strategies, as the current seating dimensions may not be able to accommodate up to 68 per cent of male and 22 per cent of female travellers.
  
• Ian Christensen, the Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, believes transport vehicles need to adapt to the existing population's physical reality, not on decades-old averages.
  
• The issue extends beyond airlines to other forms of transport, such as public buses and trains, indicating the need for wider changes in transport design to accommodate changing body sizes.
  

Members, what are your thoughts on this latest study? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[JKD]

Unfortunately it is a fact that if seats were larger to accommodate obese people then there would be less seats on a plane. In order to achieve the same bottom line [pardon the pun!!] the airline would then have to increase the price of tickets. Resulting in more complaints? Of course!!

Maybe an option would be to have a certain number of large seats on a plane, such as turning removing three seats and replacing with two large ones then charge the obese passengers accordingly. Of course most would scream and shout then that they are being victimised!

 

[Col@45]

Travelling can be a hassle, especially when you’re deeply concerned about your safety and wellbeing.

Now, here’s something to add to your list of worries—airline seats that are getting too small for the average Australian.

New research with 20,000 adult participants done by the University of South Australia, Transport for NSW, and Victoria's Transport Department showed that the average Australian gains up to 3kg each decade, while seat dimensions on aeroplanes have remained stagnant.

View attachment 32287

Australian airlines are faced with a potential problem that may impact the health and safety of their travellers. Image source: Qantas.

Ian Christensen, Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre that produced the nation’s first anthropometry data, called the weight gain statistics 'alarming'.

'It's alarming because of the implications it has for our transport vehicles and potentially alarming for the impact that it might have on community health,' Christensen said.

Moreover, the study showed that additional weight may be an issue for travellers as 'changes in body shape dimensions over the past 30 years have rendered airline seating dimensions to be problematic and unable to accommodate up to 68 per cent of males and 22 per cent of females'.

According to Christensen, Airlines base their average passenger weight data on decades-old averages that no longer reflect the current reality of the Australian population. This poses 'significant problems for people in the Australian community who are at the high end of the spectrum in terms of either weight or height'.

'It would be prudent for all transport authorities, public and private, to make sure that the vehicles that they're adding to their fleet are designed to accommodate the community that actually exists and the people that actually exist, not some imagined average that is not accurately reflecting the current population,' Christensen added.

This issue is not unique to Australia, as the whole world faces the possibility of having more than half of its population overweight or obese by 2035.

Known American plus-size traveller Jae'lynn Chaney started a petition in April urging aviation authorities in the US to require airlines to give an extra seat to those who need them—free of charge!

'Is it right to squeeze someone into a single seat, causing discomfort for them and their fellow passengers, when a simple solution exists?' Chaney said.

'We're not asking for luxury; we're asking for basic dignity.'

You can read more about Chaney’s initiative here.

Local airlines Virgin and Qantas declined to comment when they were asked about their plans for future seat designs in consideration of the new statistics that were released.

The only accommodations being offered to plus-size travellers now are the ability to purchase an extra seat next to their seat and seatbelt extensions.

The problem also affects other modes of transportation, such as public buses and trains.

According to Senior Human Factors Specialist Christina Kirsch, Transport for NSW will be considering the new statistics in their future planning for public modes of transport.

View attachment 32288

Public buses and trains are also affected by the problem of passenger weight gain. Image source: Flickr.

'Our objective is to gain data specific to the Australian population so we can design public transport that caters specifically to our shapes and sizes,' Kirsch explained.

'These designs directly impact passenger comfort, safety, accessibility, and overall user experience.'

'By incorporating anthropometric data into the design process, we can ensure that work and transport systems are more efficient, safe, and comfortable to use by our staff and customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A new study showed the average Australian gains 3kg every decade, which may affect their travel experiences.
• The study states that airlines and transport authorities need to rethink their seating strategies, as the current seating dimensions may not be able to accommodate up to 68 per cent of male and 22 per cent of female travellers.
• Ian Christensen, the Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, believes transport vehicles need to adapt to the existing population's physical reality, not on decades-old averages.
• The issue extends beyond airlines to other forms of transport, such as public buses and trains, indicating the need for wider changes in transport design to accommodate changing body sizes.

Members, what are your thoughts on this latest study? Let us know in the comments below!

We shouldn't be catering for people who don't care what size they are and continue to lead an unhealthy lifestyle. In most cases it's their choice to be overweight, and should pay for 2 seats on a plane. It's not fair to normal sized people who are squashed in their seat because you're unlucky enough to have an overweight person beside you.

 

[Stina]

My husband and I travelled quite a bit pre covid but since aircraft have been back in the skies it seems there has been a sharp decline in passenger comfort. We travelled to London with a major international airline a few months ago and it was the most uncomfortable flight we have ever experienced. I am a slim woman of advancing years and, clearly, not only are the seats narrower, the rows are closer together too, so that when the tray table is down eating a meal is an absolute nightmare. My husband is a tall gentleman and has vowed never to do a long journey in economy again. What is the choice? Business class? Not at the over-inflated, ridiculous prices airlines charge! Airlines, especially international, should endeavour to ensure the comfort and safety of ALL of their passengers.

 

[Willfish]

Travelling can be a hassle, especially when you’re deeply concerned about your safety and wellbeing.

Now, here’s something to add to your list of worries—airline seats that are getting too small for the average Australian.

New research with 20,000 adult participants done by the University of South Australia, Transport for NSW, and Victoria's Transport Department showed that the average Australian gains up to 3kg each decade, while seat dimensions on aeroplanes have remained stagnant.

View attachment 32287

Australian airlines are faced with a potential problem that may impact the health and safety of their travellers. Image source: Qantas.

Ian Christensen, Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre that produced the nation’s first anthropometry data, called the weight gain statistics 'alarming'.

'It's alarming because of the implications it has for our transport vehicles and potentially alarming for the impact that it might have on community health,' Christensen said.

Moreover, the study showed that additional weight may be an issue for travellers as 'changes in body shape dimensions over the past 30 years have rendered airline seating dimensions to be problematic and unable to accommodate up to 68 per cent of males and 22 per cent of females'.

According to Christensen, Airlines base their average passenger weight data on decades-old averages that no longer reflect the current reality of the Australian population. This poses 'significant problems for people in the Australian community who are at the high end of the spectrum in terms of either weight or height'.

'It would be prudent for all transport authorities, public and private, to make sure that the vehicles that they're adding to their fleet are designed to accommodate the community that actually exists and the people that actually exist, not some imagined average that is not accurately reflecting the current population,' Christensen added.

This issue is not unique to Australia, as the whole world faces the possibility of having more than half of its population overweight or obese by 2035.

Known American plus-size traveller Jae'lynn Chaney started a petition in April urging aviation authorities in the US to require airlines to give an extra seat to those who need them—free of charge!

'Is it right to squeeze someone into a single seat, causing discomfort for them and their fellow passengers, when a simple solution exists?' Chaney said.

'We're not asking for luxury; we're asking for basic dignity.'

You can read more about Chaney’s initiative here.

Local airlines Virgin and Qantas declined to comment when they were asked about their plans for future seat designs in consideration of the new statistics that were released.

The only accommodations being offered to plus-size travellers now are the ability to purchase an extra seat next to their seat and seatbelt extensions.

The problem also affects other modes of transportation, such as public buses and trains.

According to Senior Human Factors Specialist Christina Kirsch, Transport for NSW will be considering the new statistics in their future planning for public modes of transport.

View attachment 32288

Public buses and trains are also affected by the problem of passenger weight gain. Image source: Flickr.

'Our objective is to gain data specific to the Australian population so we can design public transport that caters specifically to our shapes and sizes,' Kirsch explained.

'These designs directly impact passenger comfort, safety, accessibility, and overall user experience.'

'By incorporating anthropometric data into the design process, we can ensure that work and transport systems are more efficient, safe, and comfortable to use by our staff and customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A new study showed the average Australian gains 3kg every decade, which may affect their travel experiences.
• The study states that airlines and transport authorities need to rethink their seating strategies, as the current seating dimensions may not be able to accommodate up to 68 per cent of male and 22 per cent of female travellers.
• Ian Christensen, the Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, believes transport vehicles need to adapt to the existing population's physical reality, not on decades-old averages.
• The issue extends beyond airlines to other forms of transport, such as public buses and trains, indicating the need for wider changes in transport design to accommodate changing body sizes.

Members, what are your thoughts on this latest study? Let us know in the comments below!

All other freight is charged by weight - why not passengers. After all the weight of each passenger contributes to the fuel cost of running the aircraft. Oh, I think I can hear screaming already, and it is not from the slim customers!!

 

[Springtime48]

No.

 

[JedCorella]

I'm sick and tired of fat people complaining!! If you want to be fat knock yourself out but don't expect me to cater to your food addiction by subsidising your seating. I spent 9 hours on an international flight with a morbidly obese woman next to spilling into my s eat and my space. Not only did she encroach on my personal space but she stank! When I complained she got abusive. Just a fat person throwing her weight around.

 

[Bricat]

To all those judgemental people posting here - learn some decency and compassion. If you're naturally slim you're really lucky. Not all of us make the choice to be deliberately fat and lazy. Apart from being 'fat and fit' (just ask my cardiologist after I blitzed a stress test to his amazement), along with 10% of the female population I have Lipoedema and so does my mother and so do my great aunts. It's familial/genetic (males are carriers) with bio markers identified at Stanford and a huge research program going on in Melbourne and no I did not choose to inherit it. Google it. It's made my life a misery - and you people are adding to it along with ignorant GPs. I try and keep my weight down (let me count the ways) but it's a lifelong nightmare. Your judgements don't help anyone you nasty people - one day a life changing condition may affect you. Grrrr....

 

[Rob44]

Being a normal, healthily tall person I am sick of the bloody airlines which years ago cranked the seats so close together that my knees stick into the seat in front for the entire flight and no, I am by no means overweight. It's the same with buses and long-distance coaches. The world is run by short-arsed dwarves trying to profit from my discomfort.

The airlines also ignore the fact that people have shoulders with arms attached and which protrude beyond the width of the narrow-hipped seats provided, hence the constant jostling for elbow room on the single arm-rest between each aircraft seat.

 

[Mrtnst]

The claim that aircraft loading is based upon average weights of passengers is not correct.

The problem of increasing passenger weight was identified resulting from a crash in the U.S. decades ago.

Since then there have been worldwide changes to aircraft weight loading procedures to ensure that such an accident doesn't happen again.

 

[Judith1946]

I have long legs even though I’m not that tall. My knees are stuck in the sear in front of me. I’m also disabled and am now unable to seat on an exit row where I have leg room. My big problem is that the seats are very low meaning I’m unable to get up from them. I am not able to travel by plane anymore due to my disabilities.

 

[cmattschoss]

Travelling can be a hassle, especially when you’re deeply concerned about your safety and wellbeing.

Now, here’s something to add to your list of worries—airline seats that are getting too small for the average Australian.

New research with 20,000 adult participants done by the University of South Australia, Transport for NSW, and Victoria's Transport Department showed that the average Australian gains up to 3kg each decade, while seat dimensions on aeroplanes have remained stagnant.

View attachment 32287

Australian airlines are faced with a potential problem that may impact the health and safety of their travellers. Image source: Qantas.

Ian Christensen, Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre that produced the nation’s first anthropometry data, called the weight gain statistics 'alarming'.

'It's alarming because of the implications it has for our transport vehicles and potentially alarming for the impact that it might have on community health,' Christensen said.

Moreover, the study showed that additional weight may be an issue for travellers as 'changes in body shape dimensions over the past 30 years have rendered airline seating dimensions to be problematic and unable to accommodate up to 68 per cent of males and 22 per cent of females'.

According to Christensen, Airlines base their average passenger weight data on decades-old averages that no longer reflect the current reality of the Australian population. This poses 'significant problems for people in the Australian community who are at the high end of the spectrum in terms of either weight or height'.

'It would be prudent for all transport authorities, public and private, to make sure that the vehicles that they're adding to their fleet are designed to accommodate the community that actually exists and the people that actually exist, not some imagined average that is not accurately reflecting the current population,' Christensen added.

This issue is not unique to Australia, as the whole world faces the possibility of having more than half of its population overweight or obese by 2035.

Known American plus-size traveller Jae'lynn Chaney started a petition in April urging aviation authorities in the US to require airlines to give an extra seat to those who need them—free of charge!

'Is it right to squeeze someone into a single seat, causing discomfort for them and their fellow passengers, when a simple solution exists?' Chaney said.

'We're not asking for luxury; we're asking for basic dignity.'

You can read more about Chaney’s initiative here.

Local airlines Virgin and Qantas declined to comment when they were asked about their plans for future seat designs in consideration of the new statistics that were released.

The only accommodations being offered to plus-size travellers now are the ability to purchase an extra seat next to their seat and seatbelt extensions.

The problem also affects other modes of transportation, such as public buses and trains.

According to Senior Human Factors Specialist Christina Kirsch, Transport for NSW will be considering the new statistics in their future planning for public modes of transport.

View attachment 32288

Public buses and trains are also affected by the problem of passenger weight gain. Image source: Flickr.

'Our objective is to gain data specific to the Australian population so we can design public transport that caters specifically to our shapes and sizes,' Kirsch explained.

'These designs directly impact passenger comfort, safety, accessibility, and overall user experience.'

'By incorporating anthropometric data into the design process, we can ensure that work and transport systems are more efficient, safe, and comfortable to use by our staff and customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A new study showed the average Australian gains 3kg every decade, which may affect their travel experiences.
• The study states that airlines and transport authorities need to rethink their seating strategies, as the current seating dimensions may not be able to accommodate up to 68 per cent of male and 22 per cent of female travellers.
• Ian Christensen, the Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, believes transport vehicles need to adapt to the existing population's physical reality, not on decades-old averages.
• The issue extends beyond airlines to other forms of transport, such as public buses and trains, indicating the need for wider changes in transport design to accommodate changing body sizes.

Members, what are your thoughts on this latest study? Let us know in the comments below!

I agree that seats should be made larger, particularly on planes. If you are stuck next to an obese person it's very difficult to move because they hoard your arm rest and makes it very unconforbable.

 

[Linda24]

This has all stemmed from greed by the airlines! Seats are narrower, with barely any elbow or leg room. People sitting in aisle seats are constantly knocked by staff passing with the tea trolley in the narrow aisles. Nobody deserves a salary of $21.4 Million as Alan Joyce got from Qantas at the expense of the passengers comfort.

 

[Ezzy]

To all those judgemental people posting here - learn some decency and compassion. If you're naturally slim you're really lucky. Not all of us make the choice to be deliberately fat and lazy. Apart from being 'fat and fit' (just ask my cardiologist after I blitzed a stress test to his amazement), along with 10% of the female population I have Lipoedema and so does my mother and so do my great aunts. It's familial/genetic (males are carriers) with bio markers identified at Stanford and a huge research program going on in Melbourne and no I did not choose to inherit it. Google it. It's made my life a misery - and you people are adding to it along with ignorant GPs. I try and keep my weight down (let me count the ways) but it's a lifelong nightmare. Your judgements don't help anyone you nasty people - one day a life changing condition may affect you. Grrrr....

Thankyou. You have echoed my thoughts totally as l was reading through each of the comments.
Some people do not ask to be overweight.
My mother used to tell the story of a remark made to her at school. A student asked her if she got sick of people calling her fat. She replied, 'No. I just put it down to their ignorance'.

l question where Tourist Coaches, seating for aircraft, trains etc are made now. I am not obese but in a tourist coach, & l go on a few day trips annually, walking down the aisle with people already seated, requires me to turn on a slight angle as l shuffle down the aisle with elbows hanging out on either side. To fit these of course the coach bodies have to be made narrower too.

 

[Loubeauxarts]

Unfortunately it is a fact that if seats were larger to accommodate obese people then there would be less seats on a plane. In order to achieve the same bottom line [pardon the pun!!] the airline would then have to increase the price of tickets. Resulting in more complaints? Of course!!

Maybe an option would be to have a certain number of large seats on a plane, such as turning removing three seats and replacing with two large ones then charge the obese passengers accordingly. Of course most would scream and shout then that they are being victimised!

That actually makes a lot of sense. So what if they complain. If, like me, you have long legs and want extra leg room you opt for the exit aisle seats, you pay the extra dollars and everyone is happy

 

[Rob44]

This has all stemmed from greed by the airlines! Seats are narrower, with barely any elbow or leg room. People sitting in aisle seats are constantly knocked by staff passing with the tea trolley in the narrow aisles. Nobody deserves a salary of $21.4 Million as Alan Joyce got from Qantas at the expense of the passengers comfort.

That actually makes a lot of sense. So what if they complain. If, like me, you have long legs and want extra leg room you opt for the exit aisle seats, you pay the extra dollars and everyone is happy

Indeed; one is obliged to do that if one wants to stay sane. However, the airlines need someone in those "legroom" seats to operate the overwing escape hatches and those "leg room" seats HAVE to be there by law to accommodate people trying to get out of the escape hatches, irrespective of any other reason for their existence. So we pay extra for the "privilige" of supporting the airline's escape routes out of the aeroplane (in the unlikely event of an emergency etc etc).

 

[peteloo]

Travelling can be a hassle, especially when you’re deeply concerned about your safety and wellbeing.

Now, here’s something to add to your list of worries—airline seats that are getting too small for the average Australian.

New research with 20,000 adult participants done by the University of South Australia, Transport for NSW, and Victoria's Transport Department showed that the average Australian gains up to 3kg each decade, while seat dimensions on aeroplanes have remained stagnant.

View attachment 32287

Australian airlines are faced with a potential problem that may impact the health and safety of their travellers. Image source: Qantas.

Ian Christensen, Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre that produced the nation’s first anthropometry data, called the weight gain statistics 'alarming'.

'It's alarming because of the implications it has for our transport vehicles and potentially alarming for the impact that it might have on community health,' Christensen said.

Moreover, the study showed that additional weight may be an issue for travellers as 'changes in body shape dimensions over the past 30 years have rendered airline seating dimensions to be problematic and unable to accommodate up to 68 per cent of males and 22 per cent of females'.

According to Christensen, Airlines base their average passenger weight data on decades-old averages that no longer reflect the current reality of the Australian population. This poses 'significant problems for people in the Australian community who are at the high end of the spectrum in terms of either weight or height'.

'It would be prudent for all transport authorities, public and private, to make sure that the vehicles that they're adding to their fleet are designed to accommodate the community that actually exists and the people that actually exist, not some imagined average that is not accurately reflecting the current population,' Christensen added.

This issue is not unique to Australia, as the whole world faces the possibility of having more than half of its population overweight or obese by 2035.

Known American plus-size traveller Jae'lynn Chaney started a petition in April urging aviation authorities in the US to require airlines to give an extra seat to those who need them—free of charge!

'Is it right to squeeze someone into a single seat, causing discomfort for them and their fellow passengers, when a simple solution exists?' Chaney said.

'We're not asking for luxury; we're asking for basic dignity.'

You can read more about Chaney’s initiative here.

Local airlines Virgin and Qantas declined to comment when they were asked about their plans for future seat designs in consideration of the new statistics that were released.

The only accommodations being offered to plus-size travellers now are the ability to purchase an extra seat next to their seat and seatbelt extensions.

The problem also affects other modes of transportation, such as public buses and trains.

According to Senior Human Factors Specialist Christina Kirsch, Transport for NSW will be considering the new statistics in their future planning for public modes of transport.

View attachment 32288

Public buses and trains are also affected by the problem of passenger weight gain. Image source: Flickr.

'Our objective is to gain data specific to the Australian population so we can design public transport that caters specifically to our shapes and sizes,' Kirsch explained.

'These designs directly impact passenger comfort, safety, accessibility, and overall user experience.'

'By incorporating anthropometric data into the design process, we can ensure that work and transport systems are more efficient, safe, and comfortable to use by our staff and customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A new study showed the average Australian gains 3kg every decade, which may affect their travel experiences.
• The study states that airlines and transport authorities need to rethink their seating strategies, as the current seating dimensions may not be able to accommodate up to 68 per cent of male and 22 per cent of female travellers.
• Ian Christensen, the Managing Director of iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, believes transport vehicles need to adapt to the existing population's physical reality, not on decades-old averages.
• The issue extends beyond airlines to other forms of transport, such as public buses and trains, indicating the need for wider changes in transport design to accommodate changing body sizes.

Members, what are your thoughts on this latest study? Let us know in the comments below!

Just imagine that you have a trip with some friends. At a younger age, you can comfortably sit 5 in a large car (including the driver). But as age puts on weight, it will only be 4 passengers in your car. You immediately lost 20% capacity for sharing the petrol cost of your trip.

This applies to airlines. The airline can retrofit their seat arrangements in the hangar. They can configure seating to reach some maximum capacity for general comfortable. Based on this capacity (e.g. 380 seats), they can work out the operating cost per seat.
If they were to retrofit with larger seats, the capacity would reduce (e.g. 350) without making extensions to the plane (of course you can’t do this!).
The operating cost of the flight remains the same regardless but now, each seat (350) will bear a higher portion of the operating costs. This would mean the airline has to charge a higher fare to recuperate the cost or face declining profits.

So, while we grumble about seat size, I definitely do not want higher fares. I rather try to lose weight. Those who prefer larger seat should be willing to pay higher fares.

 

[Rob44]

Just imagine that you have a trip with some friends. At a younger age, you can comfortably sit 5 in a large car (including the driver). But as age puts on weight, it will only be 4 passengers in your car. You immediately lost 20% capacity for sharing the petrol cost of your trip.

This applies to airlines. The airline can retrofit their seat arrangements in the hangar. They can configure seating to reach some maximum capacity for general comfortable. Based on this capacity (e.g. 380 seats), they can work out the operating cost per seat.
If they were to retrofit with larger seats, the capacity would reduce (e.g. 350) without making extensions to the plane (of course you can’t do this!).
The operating cost of the flight remains the same regardless but now, each seat (350) will bear a higher portion of the operating costs. This would mean the airline has to charge a higher fare to recuperate the cost or face declining profits.

So, while we grumble about seat size, I definitely do not want higher fares. I rather try to lose weight. Those who prefer larger seat should be willing to pay higher fares.

And if one is 6 feet tall and has legs and is not overweight? Yes, that's right, pay extra for a seat in one of the escape exits that by law have to allow legroom so that people can get out of the aeroplane.