FAA refuses to regulate airline seating, says tight rows are safe for evacuations

In response to a federal appeals court case, the Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday that it doesn't need to regulate airline seating because evacuation tests prove there is enough room to maneuver, despite consumer complaints about cramped quarters. The group FlyersRights.org challenged the FAA at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit over concerns that tighter seating with larger passengers could prevent evacuations within the goal of 90 seconds. The appeals panel ordered FAA nearly a year ago to review its safety rules for seating.

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