WASHINGTON, April 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate blocked an amendment Thursday that would have allowed the Federal Aviation Administration to regulate the size and distance between airline seats.
Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced the amendment to a FAA reauthorization bill, saying the width as well as the distance between rows of seats has shrunk over time and there is no current federal mandate on what the distance should be, other than for exit rows.
The amendment was voted down 42-54, mostly along party lines.
Schumer said seat width has shrunk from 18.5 inches to 17 inches, and the distance between rows has shrunk from 35 inches to 31 inches.
"Airlines have been cramming consumers into airplanes like sardines and instead of lowering their prices several major airlines went the other direction. They started charging for the extra inches in legroom that was once considered standard," Schumer said in a statement after the vote "It costs you an arm and a leg just to have room for your arms and legs,"
Airlines opposed the amendment, complaining it would "re-regulate" the industry. Schumer said he will continue to work on getting the legislation passed.
