The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will solicit feedback from members of the public regarding a proposed minimum seat size regulation. The agency looks set to finally act on a Congressional mandate passed in September 2018.

FAA sizing up minimum seat size

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) inviting members of the public to comment on minimum dimensions for airplane seats. There will be a 90-day comment period, during which time interested members of the public can submit feedback on possible airplane seat size standards.

The FAA said,

"Congress directed the FAA to, after notice and comment, issue such rules for minimum dimensions for passenger seats that are necessary for passenger safety. The FAA seeks public comment on the minimum seat dimensions that are necessary for passenger safety."

The aviation agency was given a year to establish a standard for minimum seat dimensions after a congressional mandate in 2018 but failed to do so.

Advocates have also called for a moratorium on airlines to stop further reductions in seat width and pitch if the FAA doesn't take action soon.

Passenger safety and comfort

The idea for minimum size regulations was put forward to ensure passenger health and safety as airlines have gradually shrunk their seat sizes over the years.

In particular, there are concerns that tightly-packed aircraft could hinder evacuations in an emergency. Under current evacuation assessment standards, planes must be able to evacuate within 90 seconds.

In November 2019, the FAA conducted a series of evacuation tests as it sought to set a minimum size standard. The agency has also studied around 300 real-world evacuations to determine the effect seat size has on safety.

Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights.org, said,

"Seats have continued to shrink by some airlines, and people are continuing to get larger. Our estimate is that only 20% of the population can reasonably fit in these seats now. It’s beyond a matter of comfort, or even emergency evacuation; there are serious health and safety issues when you’re put in cramped conditions for hours on end."

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Years of pressure

The FAA was ordered to move forward with minimum seat size regulations as part of a five-year funding reauthorization bill passed in September 2018.

Airline passenger advocacy group FlyersRights.org put forward a petition in 2015 for a minimum size standard which was eventually backed by Congress.

However, the agency has failed to establish any regulations and hasn't explained why, although the COVID-19 pandemic is certain to have played a role in delays.

Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights.org, said,

"At some point, enough is enough. The FAA has had three years to address this important safety issue. As we have seen with safety certification, particularly with the Boeing 737 MAX, the FAA chooses to continue to act as a tombstone agency, only acting after fatal accidents occur."

While there is no guarantee that the FAA will indeed set a minimum seat size, its funding bill is up for reauthorization next year and the issue of seat sizing will be firmly on the agenda.

Do you think the FAA should implement a minimum seat size standard? Let us know your insights in the comments.

Source: USA Today