Sen. Schumer Calls For Federal Rules For Seat Size On Airplanes
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer wants the federal government to step in and set up rules for seat size on airplanes.
According to the lawmaker, leg room on airlines was once about 35 inches, but is now closer to 31. He said the average seat width has shrunk from more than 18 inches to less than 17, WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported.
Schumer said passengers are forced to sit on planes "like sardines."
"I'm a little under 6'1" and I can't fit in those seats. I have to take the stuff out, you know the little special bulletins and the card, so my knees don't bang into the seat in front of me," he said.
So, Schumer wants to standardize airline seats back to their larger dimensions. He's introducing the move as an amendment to a bill that reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration, which has to pass by March 31.
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