Airlines cramming more fliers on flights

Planes have never been so full. There was barely a spare seat this summer, and the next few months should be the same. For airlines and the people who invest in them, it makes sense. Because of consolidation, partnerships and a push to eliminate unprofitable routes, airlines can adjust schedules to match demand and charge more. But customer comfort is an afterthought. Not to mention space in the overhead bin. “There are some days on some flights when there are simply no physical seats left,” says Jim Reichart, vice president of marketing and sales for Frontier, which sold 91 percent of its seats in July and August. Frontier and US Airways both had their best August for percentage of seats filled. Read More