Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Some Airlines Get More Comfy

Locations in this article:  New York City, NY

OK, the bad news is out: airfare has gone up, and airline capacity has gone down. But there is some good news on the horizon: some airlines are making the travel experience more comfortable in the cabin.

On American Airlines’ 737s, you’ll no longer have to rely on those cigarette lighter power outlets. They’ll be equipped with standard AC plugs, so you can power up your laptop, cell phone, iPod — or even use a power strip to charge all of the above.

On top of that, the seats have a new design that means passengers no longer have to recline their seats into someone else’s lap. The seats have more of a cradle effect, and are thinner and lighter than the old models.

Delta has new economy seats being installed on international flights. We’re talking wider seats, personal in-flight entertainment screens, and an inch and a half more legroom!

Continental has business-class seats that lie completely flat. You also get a 15-inch TV screen, and what I like to call the “tower of power” with plugs for everything you could need.

Internationally, Air New Zealand has rows of coach seats designed for families called “sky couches,” where couples can snuggle and kids can play.

And, if you’ve got the cash, Singapore Airlines will provide a cabin the size of a small Manhattan apartment; for about the price of one.

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