Airline seats are increasing from the once standard 18 inches to 22 inches across . In the 1960s , a seat width of 17 inches was standard , and for a period in the 1990s and early 2000s , that grew to 18.5 inches with the introduction of the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 . Meanwhile , passengers are getting heavier , and flights are getting more crammed . Boeing is calling on the industry to make seats wider .
Airline seats are increasing from the once standard 18 inches to 22 inches across . Meanwhile , passengers are getting heavier , and flights are getting more crammed . Boeing is calling on the industry to make seats wider .