EasyJet’s cabins are about to get even more
cramped after it became the latest airline to commit to squeezing more
fliers on board its aircraft.
Each
of the low-cost airline’s Airbus A320s has room for 180 passengers on
board. However, all new A320s received after May 2016 - EasyJet has 162
orders outstanding – will be fitted with 186 seats, it confirmed this
week.
It will also retrofit all its existing A320s with the greater seat
count, with the changes likely to be completed by summer 2018.
While the changes mean more passengers sharing the same cabin space,
manufacturers say the new arrangements do not compromise on comfort. “We
are supporting the higher seat count with intelligent means to give
living space to passengers,” said Airbus. “They retain the Airbus
standard of 18-inch wide seats in economy.”
Nonetheless, “seat pitch” – the space between your seat and the same
point on the chair in front – may be affected. EasyJet’s current fleet
of A320s have a pitch of 29 inches – the new model could see that fall
to 28 inches, depending on the final specifications used. 
EasyJet will take delivery of the new aircraft next year (Photo: Getty)
EasyJet’s move follows a general trend among manufacturers and airlines to cram extra fliers on board their aircraft in a bid to maximise efficiency and profits.
Airbus announced the new higher-density A320 last summer, increasing capacity to a maximum of 189 (three more than the configuration EasyJet has opted for). It also added 20 seats to its new A321s, raising the maximum capacity on that model to 240 passengers.
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Vueling, the Spanish low-cost carrier, has already confirmed plans to take delivery of the 186-seater A320s.
It isn't the only airline looking to cram more people on boad (Photo: Getty)
Wizz Air will be opting for a more crowded version of the A321, will room for 230 passengers – up from the existing 220.
Over at Boeing, the 737 MAX 200 is on the way – the catalyst for which has been Europe’s biggest low-cost airline. Ryanair placed a £7.5billion order for 100 of the aircraft last December, with a specific request – that the 189 seats on the blueprint be increased to the round figure of 200.
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Room is made on the 737 MAX 200 by adding smaller toilets and reducing the kitchen galley size (less of a concern on “budget” European flights where the meal service tends to be sandwiches and snacks), but seat pitch could also be cut. On Ryanair 737s currently in operation this is 30 inches. The Boeing 737 MAX 200 may cut the gap to 29 inches.
Legroom compared on seven major airlines
| Airline | Model | Total passengers | Seat pitch in economy (inches) | Seat width in economy (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EasyJet | A320 | 180 | 29 | 18 |
| A319 | 156 | 29 | 18 | |
| Ryanair | 737-800 | 189 | 30 | 17 |
| BA | A320 | 142 | 31-34 | 17 |
| A319 | 126 | 31-34 | 17 | |
| 737-400 | 145 | 32 | 17 | |
| 747-400 | 345 (V1) | 31 | 17.5 | |
| 777-200ER | 275 (Three class) | 31 | 17.5 | |
| 787 | 214 | 31 | 17.5 | |
| Thomas Cook | A321 | 221 | 28-30 | 17 |
| A330 | 322 | 31 | 18.2 | |
| 757-200 | 235 | 29-30 | 17 | |
| Thomson | 737-800 | 189 | 28 | 17.2 |
| 757-200 | 233 | 28 | 17.2 | |
| 787-8 | 289 | 33 | 17 | |
| Monarch | A320 | 180 | 28-29 | 17 |
| A321 | 220 | 28-29 | 17.5 | |
| Virgin Atlantic | A330-300 | 266 | 31 | 17.5 |
| A340-600 | 316 | 31 | 17.5 | |
| 747-400 | 367 | 31 | 17.5 | |
| 787 | 264 | 31 | 17.5 |
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