Report calls for extra legroom

Regular flyers may be interested to read that a new report has called for the minimum amount of legroom required on flights to be increased.

The publication from the House of Lords science and technology committee suggests that officials enforce a minimum distance between seats, as required by regulations, from 26 to 28.2 inches, providing a pitch of about 30 inches.

It says that this could help those travellers with health problems that call for a bigger seat pitch and prevent situations where flyers feel they must pay extra for a premium economy seat to gain extra legroom for medical conditions.

"Premium economy was intended to offer a relatively affordable option for those who need extra legroom, be it for comfort or due to a medical condition," commented Lord Patel of the committee.

"The current £80 tax rate on long-haul flights will make this option unaffordable for many passengers."

Premium economy cabins usually sit between economy and business or first class cabins. Passengers can benefit from a variety of extra services by paying extra for a seat in this class, depending on the airline.

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