Air travel in 2026 feels tighter than ever, and that’s not a coincidence. Over the past five decades, the average economy seat has lost several inches of legroom, transforming affordable economy seating from a relatively comfortable travel experience to one that is cramped and crowded on most major US airlines. At the same time, carriers have taken that saved space and expanded their premium seating tiers, charging travelers for the convenience and comfort that they used to have, and creating a stark divide between different seats in the same cabin. This shows a deliberate strategy, in which discomfort in standard economy is used to drive passengers toward higher-margin upgrades.
This shift in economic strategy is the result of many decades of incremental change in the aviation industry. Despite that, it is becoming more and more apparent that airlines are testing just how far they can push their customers as they gradually normalize tighter seating and fewer amenities in the process.
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Source: https://simpleflying.com/how-airlines-turn-5-inches-lost-legroom-billion-dollar-upsell-strategy/
