Airline seating, especially in economy class, has been shrinking for years even as the average size (both height and girth) of an American has increased. Seating configurations on modern carriers are so cramped as to be unsafe and unhealthy, and are contributing to increasing conflicts and other disruptions among uncomfortable passengers. An FAA regulation mandating minimum length, width, and pitch for airline seats based on modern height/weight averages, regardless of cabin class, would easily and directly address this issue. Considering the record profits currently being posted by major US carriers, there's no time like the present.



