Opinion: Cattle class airline agony on long-haul flights

Have our airlines made too close for comfort on long-haul flights? Photo / File

My family arrived from the UK yesterday for my brother's wedding in Auckland next month.

When they touched down I called and opened the conversation with the usual question when someone finally lands after a long-haul flight.
"How was the journey?"

It's always met with a predictable response.

Cramped, tedious, uncomfortable, among other adjectives that aptly describe the feeling of occupying an economy class seat for almost 17 hours.

It reminded me of our journey to the UK in September.

Crammed in like cattle after paying thousands for the pleasure.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticising the flight staff, they do their best to serve in such restricted conditions.

But why is it that in any other walk of life the customers' comfort is paramount aside from air travel?

We wouldn't put up with rigid and uncomfortable beds in a hotel.

I know, it's not the best comparison, but I'm sure you get my point.

And, for the majority of us, economy class is the only option financially.

I understand the airlines' business plan; they need as many passengers as an aircraft can accommodate to maximise their profits.

But surely after decades of long distance travel behind us something can be done about the lack of comfort.

Current economy class seats would not be out of place In a 1950s school as a punishment for children with poor posture.

Last year US Senator Charles Schumer called for the Federal Aviation Administration to establish seat-size standards for commercial airlines, which he said have experienced "shrinkage" and now force passengers to sit on planes "like sardines".

It's a valid point.

Qantas said it wants to introduce 20-hour non-stop flights between Sydney and London in 2022.

Surely creature comforts have to be improved before anyone embarks on that ultra-long journey.