Article: Why Single-Aisle Jets Will Never Have 7-Abreast Seating

[AFF Editor]

Why Single-Aisle Jets Will Never Have 7-Abreast Seating is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

Why Single-Aisle Jets Will Never Have 7-Abreast Seating

A plane with more than two seats between any passenger and the aisle would not be certified to fly for safety reasons.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[cove]

I just wish we could have Virgin with some wide bodied planes for Perth to Brisbane,Sydney and Melbourne instead of the 737.

 

[SYD]

I suspect no one ever contemplated that horror until mentioned!

 

[OZDUCK]

I am sorry to tell you that there was a single aisle jet with 7-abreast seating. Channel Airways had a couple of BAC Trident's equipped with a 3 x 4 configuration in the forward cabin. Perhaps the exception that proves the rule but who knows what Ryanair et al might do one day.

What does airline passenger hell look like? Seven seats across a narrowbody cabin, that's what! - TravelUpdate

Sitting on a domestic flight where there are six seats across can be uncomfortable, but imagine seven across! It is a real thing and here's the proof.

travelupdate.com

 

[poopiepoo]

I never understood why the 90 second evacuation rule does not also adopt typical passenger demographic to include possibly older mobility impaired.

If it did, there would be a lot more space and legroom for all.

 

[AFF Editor]

I am sorry to tell you that there was a single aisle jet with 7-abreast seating. Channel Airways had a couple of BAC Trident's equipped with a 3 x 4 configuration in the forward cabin. Perhaps the exception that proves the rule but who knows what Ryanair et al might do one day.

What does airline passenger hell look like? Seven seats across a narrowbody cabin, that's what! - TravelUpdate

Sitting on a domestic flight where there are six seats across can be uncomfortable, but imagine seven across! It is a real thing and here's the proof.

travelupdate.com

View attachment 315051

Good pick-up. I guess the article should say "Why Single-Aisle Jets Will Never Again Have 7-Abreast Seating" - this configuration must have existed before the modern-day safety/certification standards came into effect. It wouldn't be allowed today (thank goodness).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Couple of observations on the article…

There were some carriers who configured their 767s with 2-4-2 for at least part of their cabin. A tight squeeze!

The DC-10 and later MD-11 had a couple options for main cabin seating… 2-5-2 was popular because you had to reach a pretty high load factor for the middle seat to be occupied. Today we assume all flights are going to be full, but that wasn’t the case back in the days of the -10s and -11s.

Other option for the -11 were a 2-4-3 configuration… I can’t see any advantage in that!

 

[AFF Editor]

Couple of observations on the article…

There were some carriers who configured their 767s with 2-4-2 for at least part of their cabin. A tight squeeze!

Ah, yes. Ukraine International Airlines and Sunday Airlines (a subsidiary of SCAT in Kazkakhstan) if I recall correctly. Did not look like a fun experience!

The DC-10 and later MD-11 had a couple options for main cabin seating… 2-5-2 was popular because you had to reach a pretty high load factor for the middle seat to be occupied. Today we assume all flights are going to be full, but that wasn’t the case back in the days of the -10s and -11s.

Good point about a low chance of the middle seat being occupied in those days. Sadly (for passengers), that wouldn't be the case so much today...

Other option for the -11 were a 2-4-3 configuration… I can’t see any advantage in that!

I don't mind that, actually. Gives good seating options to groups of 2, 3 and 4 instead of just groups of 3

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ah, yes. Ukraine International Airlines and Sunday Airlines (a subsidiary of SCAT in Kazkakhstan) if I recall correctly. Did not look like a fun experience!


Good point about a low chance of the middle seat being occupied in those days. Sadly (for passengers), that wouldn't be the case so much today...



I don't mind that, actually. Gives good seating options to groups of 2, 3 and 4 instead of just groups of 3

Air Mauritius also had a seat map for 2-4-2 at the rear of their 767s. I can’t vouch for it as I never saw it in operation to/from Australia or the SIN/KUL rotation. Maybe it was on dedicated flights to India?

The 2-4-3 configuration on the MD-11s though… poor person sitting in the window if two strangers had the middle aisle No different to the current 3-3 or 3-3-3 configurations though… although I avoid those!

 

[Cossie]

Had the misfortune to be in the middle seat of the 5 on a flight Honolulu to Vancouver, Continental. Guessing it was a DC-10. It was full of Canadians going back home after holidaying in Hawaii, raucous bunch as well.

Not the worst flight I have ever had, but close!

 

[serfty]

AA's 772's had 2x5x2 in economy. I flew in one LAX-NRT in 2014.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

AA's 772's had 2x5x2 in economy. I flew in one LAX-NRT in 2014.

Forgot about those! Coupled with MRTC (more room throughout coach) at a standard seat pitch of 34’ they were a comfortable ride!

 

[Scarlett]

I’m sure Ryanair have asked the aircraft manufacturers how they could do it, but haven’t yet implemented ‘column’ seating along the longitude of the plane rather than rows.


Aisle space is ‘saved’ from the airline perspective because that’s where the pax knees and legs go.


You only need to climb over 30 people to get to the ‘toilet’.
“HERComfort class”

 

[SYD]

I’m sure Ryanair have asked the airlines how they could do it, but haven’t yet implemented ‘column’ seating along the longitude of the plane rather than rows.
View attachment 315195

Aisle space is ‘saved’ from the airline perspective because that’s where the pax knees and legs go.
View attachment 315201

You only need to climb over 30 people to get to the ‘toilet’.
“HERComfort class”

Forward, starboard side is “Business Class” with no one stepping over you… BYO ear defenders!

 

[AIRwin]

AA's 772's had 2x5x2 in economy. I flew in one LAX-NRT in 2014.

Was that in March 2014? I remember we were on the same MEL-LAX flight...