Lawmakers Urging FAA To Set Airline Seat Standards Amid Shrinking Sizes

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- Shrinking airline seat space is bringing calls for the Federal Aviation Administration to set minimum standards.

Gone are the days when airline passengers enjoyed a seat space of 35 inches or more. These days, it's 31 inches from the back of their seat to the seat ahead, WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau reports.

And even now, airlines are considering shrinking passenger space even further. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is calling on the FAA to set standards. He said there are currently no regulations in place to prevent airlines from further cramping their passengers.

"It means more than just discomfort and inconvenience. It's a real threat to health and safety because people develop blood clots, circulatory problems," Blumenthal told WCBS 880.

The senator is also seeking to halt further shrinkage of passenger space until standards are set by the administration.