legroom | The Adobo Chronicles

CHICAGO, Illinois (The Adobo Chronicles) – The same U.S. airline that started the ‘economy plus’ seats in its aircraft main cabin is about to take back that extra legroom in favor of ‘economy minus’ seats — for half the airfare.

UNITED Airlines (UAL) started offering its economy plus seats with more legroom some 15 years ago for passengers willing to pay extra as well as to reward its frequent fliers.

Beginning on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2015, UAL passengers will have the option to book economy minus seats for a 50% discount. These seats will have 50% less legroom compared to the already cramped regular economy seats. Furthermore, the economy minus seat backs will not recline and there will be no tray tables that fold down for meals or to set laptops and other portable devices on.

“It’s a win-win situation, ” a UNITED spokesperson said. “Passengers will see significant savings, and UAL will be able to increase the number of seats and generate more revenue.”

The Adobo Chronicles learned that non-alcoholic beverages and peanuts will still be complimentary, but economy minus passengers purchasing meals on board will have to set their food on their laps. UNITED will not be responsible for food items that may fall off passenger laps in the event of unexpected turbulence.

Washington, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) – In just the last couple of weeks, three U.S. airline flights were diverted and delayed due to issues involving irate passengers making a big fit over legroom.

In the latest incident, a Delta Airlines flight from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to West Palm Beach, Florida, was forced to land in Jacksonville, Florida, after a passenger became violent when the woman sitting in front of her tried to recline her seat.

To curb the growing reclining seat incidents on board U.S. flights, a bill has been proposed in Congress to set a very stiff penalty to any passenger who causes a flight delay or diversion.

House Speaker John Boehner said that these diversions are costing taxpayers a lot of money while inconveniencing flight travelers, especially Republican legislators and lobbyists who have to make frequent trips to and from Washington, D.C. as well as to their local districts to attend political fundraisers.

When asked about the penalty, Boehner said, “Anyone found guilty of a legroom-related flight diversion will be put on a plane to Japan and back, strapped to the middle seat of a plane chartered by Sumo wrestlers.

The proposed bill appears to have full bi-partisan backing.