Airline seats are now 1.5 inches narrower than they used to be

Those who are not 8 inches wider should not have to pay more to subsidize those who are 8 inches wider.

Let each person pay for the amount of seat they need, require or want.

Vote with your purchasing power choose airlines that give you want you desire. Be it a bigger seat or a smaller fare or legroom or whatever.

American tried that about 8 years ago. "More room in coach" Was a complete failure. Had no impact on their yield per ASM. Most people want a cheap seat, pure and simple. They'll whine and complain but at the end of the day, its price that matters!!!

The article was about seat width, not seat pitch. Admittedly, seat pitch has shrunk as well, but most airlines offer economy+ where you can get more legroom for probably less than the cost of one night motel.

Some people pay substantial premiums to avoid the coach class experience. Having TSA treat everyone the same would be egalitarian and socialist-friendly. But doing so would ruin commercial aviation as the highest revenue passengers would leave the airlines in droves for private jet service.

I don't mind having people on the same flight I'm traveling who are willling to pay much more than I am. They help subsidize the cost of travel. But the last time I checked, the front and back of the plane arrive* at the destination airport at the same time.

*at least for most planes. Some third world airlines and Asiana may not always follow the laws of physics.

I'd just like to point out that what you're doing doesn't help. Buying two seats, instead of pressuring the airlines to use realistic size seats and charge a little more just gives them the incentive to keep the seats small, so more people buy two seats and their profits are bigger. Essentially they collect an entire fare for providing nothing, instead of just making a few more dollars but having to provide complete service.

Eat lots of garlic before your flight and you won't have to pay for the extra seat!

They replace the seats on a regular basis, so while they're out they can simply order different seats, adjust the spacing, etc.

Or the kid behind you keeps kicking the back of your seat... oh, the joys of air travel. I miss British Air, where people behaved, they gave you food and drink for free, and there was room to move around.

Scary thought, isn't it?

Ever get a chance to ride on a Dreamliner......now there's a nice ride. Makes all the rest like " Greyhound"......Airline travel has been a hassle for a long time. Walking thru the concourses.....you never see a smile anymore.....the ticket prices are absolutely " Stupid".....the Investors want a return on their investment....it's all about the "dollar!" Damnit!

As above, I'm 6'3" 265. I go to the gym 5 days a week, eat a healthy diet, blood pressure is 110/60, cholesterol is perfect, 36" waist, bench just shy of 400lbs, squat and pull 500lbs. Throw in a size 15 shoe and a carry on under the seat in front of me, I might as well be crammed in a sardine can, or an ERJ 135.

Please scroll back up and re read Anthony Delmonaco's comment. He IS in shape, healthy person but physically large. Not all airline passendger are out of shape as you contend, but rather are of Anthony's profile. Be careful of the dispersions you cast!

I'm a 6'2" and 255lbs. retired general contractor who can still bench 300 and has a 36" waist. I don't even come close to fitting those seats (and don't even try anymore - now I drive or take the train). Wanna try saying something less stupid?

Thrustt, I think you are right! It is true. Truth hurts, but what you are saying is true.

I speak for myself, but I think that passengers in general (specially in the US) are getting bigger (fatter) and they (we) don't fit in those narrow seats anymore and they (not me anymore) just start complaining.
It happened to me a few months ago when I was assigned to an exit row on a plane, a seat with those fixed armrests and boxy seat arrangements (narrower seat area compared to regular seats in other rows), and I was literally "squeezed" into the seat, I couldn't move at all - it was an extremely narrow and uncomfortable space.
That day, I realized I was really getting fatter.
The following day I started going to the gym again and also started visiting a nutritionist. At the end of the day, that seat on that flight that day gave me a wake up call.
Today, I have lost more than 10 pounds since that flight (and still losing weight by the way) and my health is improving. Lower cholesterol, triglycerides and lower blood pressure.

Again, you are ABSOLUTELY right!