[Advanced] The Ups and Downs of Airplane Improvements (1)

Airlines recraft the cabin by adding and adjusting amenities inside jets

After decades of relatively little change, aircraft cabins in the United States are undergoing a renaissance that promises to make the flying experience more comfortable and enjoyable for passengers.

"We've seen in the last year or so some tremendous improvements in the passenger experience," said Mary Kirby, editor in chief of Airline Passenger Experience magazine. "Airlines were rather stagnant for many years in terms of what they offered."

But, airline executives facing stiff competition and high fuel costs are not making pricey changes out of benevolence. The best goodies are reserved for passengers toward the front of the plane, sanctuary for travelers willing to pay more or those with elite frequent-flier status.

Upgrades in some cases mean economy-class, believe it or not, will become more cramped. Fortunately, some in-cabin perks will trickle back to coach to distract attention from snug confines.

Legroom logistics

Personal space is the most coveted of passenger amenities — and the most expensive.

"What people care first and foremost about is getting the best possible price, and then they want to make sure that when they stand up from their airplane ride they can still feel their knees," said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst.

An aircraft fuselage has only so many square feet, so seat configuration is a zero-sum puzzle. If an airline gives seats.

Many airlines now allow you to pay for more legroom. Some airlines throw in a few extras too. For example, American allows priority boarding with upgrades to Main Cabin Extra.

In reality, this new class of seat is what business class used to be.

"Legroom is clearly what people value," said Joe Brancatelli, a business-travel writer. "They want it for free, of course, but they will pay for it."

Discussion Questions
- Would you pay extra for more legroom during a flight? If so, how much extra?
- What airline amenity do you value most and why?


Notes and Vocabulary
do any stand out
- How to Stand Out in an Interview?
- How do you make yourself more desirable to the interviewer?

turbulence n.
irregular and violent movements of air or water that are caused by the wind

amenity n. plural amenities [countable usually plural]
/əˈmɛnəti/
something that makes a place comfortable or easy to live in
-  The hotel has every amenity you could want.
- houses that lack basic amenities (=basic things that people need, such as heat and running water)

renaissance n. rebirth
/ˈrɛnəˌsɑ:ns/
a new interest in something, especially a particular form of art, music etc, that has not been popular for a long period

tremendous adj.
very big, fast, powerful; excellent

stagnant adj.
/ˈstægnənt/
1 stagnant water or air does not move or flow and often smells bad
2 not changing or making progress, and continuing to be in a bad condition

stiff adj.
difficult, strict, or severe

benevolence adj. the goodness of your heart
/bəˈnɛvələnt/
kind and generous;  organized to do good things for other people

sanctuary n.
/ˈsæŋktʃəˌweri,/
a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter

elite n.
a person who is a member of an elite : a successful and powerful person — usually plural

cramped adj.
a cramped room, building etc does not have enough space for the people in it;
unable to move properly and feeling uncomfortable because there is not enough space

perk v.

snug adj.
fitting closely and often too tightly; providing or enjoying warmth, shelter, and comfort : cozy

confine v.
to keep (someone or something) within limits : to prevent (someone or something) from going beyond a particular limit, area, etc. — usually + to

logistics n.
the things that must be done to plan and organize a complicated activity or event that involves many people  

foremost adj.
most important, priority

fuselage n.
/ˈfju:səˌlɑ:ʒ/
the main part of an airplane : the part of an airplane that holds the crew, passengers, and cargo


configuration n.
the way the parts of something are arranged   
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