[Advanced] Airline Changes: The Good, Bad and Ugly (1)

New generation of jets comes with ups, downs

The new generation of commercial airplanes is so different from how we have flown for the past 20-plus years that stepping onto one can feel like flying for the first time.

The most obvious change is the thinness of the seats; the old-time bulk has been lightened and streamlined. But the differences continue to unfold. Lighting has been recessed into the ceiling. Overhead bins have grown and now swing down from the ceiling, rather than simply opening forward into the aisle.

Some planes include a monitor in every seat back, featuring an entertainment lineup of books, movies, television shows and a touch-screen map to chart the flight's progress. Most essentially, these new airplanes can feature power outlets and USB ports at every seat.

The pros and cons
While there's plenty to like, there also is reason for consternation: namely, dwindling space and comfort. Most everything has become smaller, including seat width, seat pitch (the distance between the seats, which results in decreased legroom), tray tables, aisles and even the little pouch in the seat ahead.

Add it up, and we have entered a marked new world of airplane interiors.

"Airlines are tightening up the pitch in economy-class cabins and distracting people from that discomfort with the latest generation of entertainment systems and connectivity," said Mary Kirby, founder of aviation news website Runway Girl Network.

There it is in the proverbial nutshell: the good (Wi-Fi! Touch screens! Power outlets!) and the bad (so very uncomfortable).

But this new generation of planes is swiftly becoming the standard; American Airline said it is in the process of updating its fleet with 460 planes. That includes 100 new 737s where main cabin seats have an inch less of seat pitch than the previous generation.

Vocabulary Focus
recess v.
to create a small space in a wall in which one part is farther back than the parts on each side

consternation n.
a feeling of strong annoyance and anger, usually because of something bad that you cannot change or that is completely unexpected

dwindling adj.
becoming smaller in size or amount

in (a) nutshell (idiom)
very briefly, giving only the main points

proverbial adj.
used when you describe something using part of a well-known expression:


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