It seems EasyJet is joining the ultra-dense party, with something buried in their latest results for the period of the last six months.
Easyjet Airbus A319 at Birmingham Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
The line in the release should cause those who have long legs or want extra legroom shiver in fear:
Or for those who wish to read the text:
<From May 2016 all future deliveries of A320 aircraft to have 186 seats; existing A320 180 seat fleet to be retrofitted starting in winter 2016. 186 seat A320 expected to deliver a cost per seat saving of 2% vs. a 180 seat A320.
Ouch.
For comparison, British Airways operate their Airbus A320 with up to 174 seats (depending on configuration and route), Ryanair operate their 737-800s with 175 seats and Wizz Air operate 180 seats aboard their A320s,
It seems density is the name of the game to increase income whilst making passenger pay for seats that have extra legroom – or comfort.
The seat manufacturer hasn’t be revealed yet – or if EasyJet is to use a new seat at all to squeeze that extra row in.
I’d be honestly surprised if the fleet isn’t refitted with the extra seats either.
Comfort is fast becoming a thing of the past in economy class it seems…
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Spirit has as many seats on the A320 as BAW and people love to rail on the budget carrier -maybe because they don’t recline! I have no idea how you stuff 186 in that plane. MOL is probably watching closely!