Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
A Boeing 707-320B could fit a maximum of 219 seats. So 220 seats has remained the upper limit of a single aisle jet until today (both Airbus 321 and largest 737's) top out at 220 maximum seats. Mind you, it isn't a very comfortable flight as there is very little seat pitch.
My question is realistically could the single aisle jet have more seats in the future?
OPTION I
I imagine even the current airframes could handle 7 rows of 6 if the FAA approves a semi-standing apparatus. I also wonder if baggage may have to be restricted. It could be an ultra cheap flight from LAX to SFO where no check in baggage is required.
OPTION II
The Length to Width ratio could be stretched even further, although it is difficult to imagine the engineering to go beyond the current ration of 11-12 to one.
A321 Length 146 ft Fuselage width 13 ft
B737 Length 138 ft Fuselage width 12 ft 4 in
OPTION III
The FAA would consider a 4 and 4 configuration of seats.
Obviously many airlines have no interest in packing the maximum number of seats into even the present airframes. United is putting only 219 seats into it's Dreamliners with the 184' length
DREAMLINERS
Length : 186 - 206 - 224 ft
Fuselage: Width: 18 ft 11 in / Height: 19 ft 7 in
I think the answer is that it is possible, but do you think the airlines will go there?
Yes, I do feel kind of stupid forgetting about the 757.
There were fifty five 757-300's produced which could hold a maximum of 295 passengers. Condor Flugdienst is flying a version today with 264.
The Boeing 757 will certainly be the last model where the overwhelming majority of airframes were purchased by USA airlines. Almost none are operated by low cost airlines (Allegiant has 3 with 215 seats out of a maximum allowable 239).
So, modifying the question, do you think there will be any future single aisle jets with more than 220 seats (or standing room)?
It is a difficult question. The executives have been mumbling about standing room for many years now. But I think they are leaning towards a few rows in the back and not an entire plane.
I see no real reason for Boeing to build another ultra long single aisle jet. Sales of the Dreamliner are going so well, that I think they would be loathe to spend development money to steal from their most successful product today.
I don't know if the airlines think this way, but I was thinking that the airlines might not like an even longer single aisle jet because they take forever to load and unload the passengers, leading to longer turnaround times on the ramp. Introducing standing room probably wouldn't help that issue either. They could theoretically also load people from the rear door in addition to the front to speed things up. Though I can't see this happening at many airports unless the jetbridges are modified. It seems like at major airports, the TSA (or whoever) doesn't like passengers being able to stand on the ramp or use portable stairs.
Delta's 757-300 holds 219-225 and when I sat in the back of that plane, it took 25 mins to deplane.
The 757-300 were designed for charter airline market and to serve resorts. Specifically they knew their would be long times to enplane and deplane. Only 55 were manufactured
BoeIng 757-300
21 United Airlines
16 Delta Air Lines
13 Condor
2 Arkia Israeli Airlines Ltd
2 Thomas Cook Airlines
1 Icelandair
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnZ963
I don't know if the airlines think this way, but I was thinking that the airlines might not like an even longer single aisle jet because they take forever to load and unload the passengers, leading to longer turnaround times on the ramp.
I think the limited sales figures for the 757-300 indicate that airlines do think that way.
For something like a 757-300, if they were allowed to deplane via the rear doors as well that would speed up the process, but its very few destinations that allow that now as most modern places have a jetway.
The last time I ever remembered going to the back of a plane was on air Jamaica in 1998 on a Boeing 727.
For something like a 757-300, if they were allowed to deplane...
With only 55 of this model produced, it hardly seems worthwhile to have any special procedures. They will probably be with us for a long time, as any replacement options are bound to be expensive since the carrier will have to step up to a widebody.
I have heard that Boeing keeps open the possibility of building a stretch B737 to replace the B757, but I don't see how it could be worth the expense.
Delta's 757-300 holds 219-225 and when I sat in the back of that plane, it took 25 mins to deplane.
That must have been flight full of experienced flyers who know how to get off a plane quickly. I have seen several 757-300's full of vacationers take over 30 minutes to empty out of the plane.
What could the DC-8-63s hold? I think I remember 230-250 in 'high density' configurations
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
