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While everyone’s been raising a hoot and a holler about Spirit Airlines’ recent decision to begin charging for carry-on bags, the budget carrier has quietly been rolling out planes with “pre-reclined” seats. At least you don’t have to worry about being chided by a flight attendant to sit up while the plane prepares to land.<\/p>\n
In the last month, Spirit has put two Airbus 320 planes into service featuring the fixed seat backs. Both planes fly to Ft. Lauderdale; one from Washington, D.C. and the other from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. <\/p>\n
A company rep says two more Airbus 320s will be added this summer and both will have the pre-reclined seating, which isn’t exactly winning rave reviews.<\/p>\n
“I hate sitting upright,” said one passenger. “It felt cheap and uncomfortable.”<\/p>\n
Of course, the rationale behind the fixed seats is cost. These seats weigh less (meaning fuel savings) and have fewer moving parts (meaning maintenance savings). <\/p>\n
Is this a reasonable compromise for lower fares? Or is this a dealbreaker?<\/p>\n