popular science

illustrations by Moron Eel POPSCI.COM.AU 45

Welcome to air travel in 2018. Here’s what to

expect in your cramped cabin. by lexi kru

AND

YET, YOU

GROW

As legroom contracts

and seats narrow,

passengers’ bodies are

going in the opposite

direction. Most

Americans are more

than 11 kilos heavier

than their 1960s

counterparts. That

extra weight generally

hangs around people’s

waists, making the

squeeze between

armrests tighter.

We’ve also grown 25

mm taller, bringing

seat backs and luggage

bins even closer.

Until the ’90s, it was rare to find someone in

the middle seat; most flights were less than

two-thirds full, and people (naturally) grab

windows and aisles first. That empty space

meant passengers had more room to stretch

out, boarding moved more quickly, and bin

shortages were blessedly uncommon. Today,

cheaper fares mean nearly nine out of 10 spots

are taken on an average flight.

2016

OVERHEAD SPACE

Hat racks, rather than

bins, gave passengers

more head roo m.

TABLESETTINGS

Travellers ate dinner

with real cutlery,and

sipped free bubbly.

DON’T EXPECT

ELBOW ROOM

1990 2000 2010

1975

1995

2015

SEAT

WIDTH:

480

SEAT

WIDTH:

435

SEAT

WIDTH:

420

815 790 790