Dubai Diary 22nd to 25th Jan 2015

I was to visit Dubai over New Years; but a situation at home changed my plans. I had the ticket and visa so I thought of taking advantage of the long Republic Day weekend to unwind in the playground of the rich and famous. Feels nice to say it. :)

Having used it quite a bit from the time it has opened; Mumbai's International Airport - the GVK CSIA T2 has earned my respect as one of the best in the world - from a passenger's point of view. Honestly, Dubai's Terminal 1 looked haggard in comparison now. (Yes it is being renovated, but Mumbai now scores over it in immigration clearance (both ways) as well as providing amenities, duty free, dining and other such facilities. I thought that arriving back from Dubai would be a painful experience with customs. But, with baggage screening of check-in luggage being done by Customs prior to it being put on the belt; every person does not have to endure the X-ray check process and one can reach from craft to car in 40 mins or less.

I am not so happy about an institution that I once admired. It is dropping its brand equity, craft and service quality standards. Jet Airways. It was a pleasure to fly it once upon a time and now getting to be a pain - at least on short haul routes - be it domestic or international. After it's acquisition by Etihad; one would have thought that the fortunes of the airline would get much better - specially flying to its new step-home base in the UAE. But, that's not the case even though the airline has decided to drop the "Konnect" tag and fly as a premium full service airline. The 737-800 I flew happens to retain the old "Konnect" configuration and my knees were jammed against the seat in front. I am not a 6 foot + guy and if I cannot fit then I pity guys taller than me. Introducing meals back is fine as long as what is served is good. It was better to pay and buy rather than eat the (sorry for saying this) "crap" that is dished out as part of the meal offering. Check in was slow and was being blamed on the system. In-flight service was not bad though. I can't tell if it was the "Athiti Devo Bhavo" (Guest is God) principle or "white is right" that got Caucasian passengers better service?


Now this is not a Jet Airways problem alone. I have seen this happen one too many times. How do people get to carry two (virtual) suitcases into the cabin? Refer to the attached image of an over sized person with supposedly a cabin size conforming bag and a laptop bag. This man must have hit at least 2 or 3 people in the face with his bags while trying to reach his seat. Leave alone the nuisance he caused trying to force his bags in the cabin hold. I now am in complete agreement with Ryanair's baggage policy that enforces a strict cabin bag size on board. The other matter I cannot understand is that of cell phone use on board. Is it really a danger if the phone is not kept on "flight" mode? Apparently not; cause if it was, then airlines would have not allowed them on board in the first place knowing well that 50% of the idiots getting on board want to show off their voice and phones to fellow passengers even after being told that "all electronic devices should be switched off or kept in flight mode". I think people have figured that out that there is no penalty to disobey the instruction and do not bother to switch off the phone's connectivity when asked to. I am predicting serious "air-rage" days in times to come when use of phone is allowed in flight. Loud mouth passengers yacking incessantly on phone up in the air will certainly get into fights with co passengers trying to shut them up.

Dubai Airport - the taxi rank is quite organized. All taxis charge a flat AED 25 as starting fare. The premium black limos run the meter at twice the regular cab rate. But the driver will disclose the approximate fare if you ask before stepping in. Trust me, they won't take you for a "ride". The Cabbies in Dubai are generally quite honest and won't intentionally take you the long way home. At times, the roads are such that it resembles a taxiway leading to a runway - not the least distant path. What I would have liked to see is the driver name and taxi details being displayed along with a bar code like in Singapore to make sure that taxis remain safe and honest in times to come.


If a not so great looking person with money can be surgically crafted into a piece of work then why should Dubai - a desert-dom not look great and desire the best - including growing roses in its Miracle Garden? From what I hear it's not going to be all roses for foreigners in time to come as the Emirate is considering imposition of a small income tax. But until it does; enjoy the best things that money can buy. Happiness is relative and while some may be happy blowing away hard earned (or hardly earned as the may be); it is not the first thing that comes to my mind while walking around in a Dubai Mall. One needs to be a geographically sound navigator to read the mall maps as each mall is larger than the other. Dubai does set the standards for big, bigger, biggest and the benchmark is breached each year. Besides my pockets getting lighter; I too must have lost a couple of pounds walking and carrying bags. For me it was an expensive gym experience. 

The pain was much  needed as Dubai has plenty of sinful places to eat and entertain. There was no way I was going to miss an opportunity to eat at the Cheesecake Factory" or "Uno Chicago Grill" to get a taste of nostalgia of my days back in the US of A. Thanks to Facebook; had a mini school reunion at "Loca" a nice little Mexican place which serves authentic mex and tex mex food. The Chef's from Mexico. On a Friday; it runs a brunch and if that's not what you like then go after 4pm. The food and drinks are actually very good. Actually; some of these places offer better value for money experience then the exclusive "branded" ones. Had what I call good but not great experiences at "Cle" and "Pacha Ibiza Dubai". Both are now on the "must visit" list for Dubai so how could I skip them? The former; has the backing of Michelin Stared Chef Greg Malouf and the latter an off-spring of the famous parent in Ibiza. Both left me wondering if a visit was worth my time and money or, are they just meant to be an outlet for splurging and being seen with and as the "happening" people? I call such places the "less for more" experiences. While both are certainly not experiences that I would have missed had I not visited; it was good to visit them from my personal education point of view in terms of how concepts are evolving in the food and beverage space. New concepts give way to newer; and then there is  the "Wafi" gourmet. It's been around for I don't know how many years - untouched by time - in the way it looks and what it serves. There are many eateries that claim to serve the best Arabic food, but at Wafi Gourmet you can't go wrong. Maybe it's the temptation of the dates, backlavas, olives, salads, fresh produce, dry fruits that are laid out carelessly as display get the stomach hyper active or maybe it's the fragrance of the kebabs being grilled. It's magic.

Finally, one of the best experiences in Dubai is one that can be had for free. A walk on the beach. It was something that I could have done each day during my stay. The beach I visited is kind of man-made but I am not complaining. The 5 shades of ocean blue kissing the silver sands was nothing short of delight. I turned around 360 degrees and saw the towering Burj Khalifa piercing the sky in the distance, as well as the Burj Dubai resembling a massive sail boat in the sea. So much to visit and so little time. Great I will leave what I did not visit for my next visit "Inshallah".

I was back in India on the 25th; could not miss the Republic Day Parade telecast on 26th morning.  For the first time in its 66 years as a Republic; the President of the USA was being honored as the Chief Guest. Or it was the first time a President of the USA accepted to attend it. It just shows that India is no longer a nation that can be given symbolic importance. Dubai was wonderful; but then could, not agree more that "Sare Jahan se Accha - Yeh Hindustan Humara" (Better than the whole world - Is this India of mine). Yes that's what the parade band was playing as the brilliance of India marched by.

P.S. My reviews on some of the places I visited are on tripadvisor.com.

Flight Check - BOM KUL on Malindo Air

"Never heard of it" said my wife, when I told her I was headed to Kuala Lumpur on Malindo Air. "Are you sure it's safe?" asked with a degree of paranoia prompted by the ill fate being meted out to airlines born in Malaysia. I told her it's a new airline that flies new aircraft, and that safety is an issue that plagues all airlines today.

Malindo Air; born in 2013 out of wedlock between Lion Air of Indonesia and NADI of Malaysia operates to more stations in India than its other Malaysian sisters. It website says that it offers "low air fare with premium in-flight services included. That means your baggage allowance and in-flight entertainment are taken care of. Fuss-free and no hidden costs." The fare was not exactly low; but then, the cost of traveling to an Air Asia destination within India or flying with the national carrier direct to KL from Mumbai worked out to the same or more. Effectively, Malindo was the cheapest option to fly BOM-KUL direct on the chosen dates.

Check in at Mumbai CSIA terminal T2 was stress free. There was no debate about the size or weight of my carry on luggage (though I am sure I conformed to both); nor that of any other passenger in the queue. Airline allows 20kgs plus hand bag(s). Not much of a line either as the aircraft; a Boeing 727-900ER is configured to carry some 160 passengers in a twin (business [12seats] and economy) configuration. Flight time out of Mumbai is good - 2240 hours - not many international flights at that time and most domestic operators have also landed much of their fleet by then as well. Flight arrived 15 minutes late affecting boarding by the same. Not much delay in leaving the gate and taking off after that.

Aircraft had been cleaned well and looked in good condition. Inflight crew looked young but well trained. There were no blankets kept on the seat and to get one - the passenger had to hand over the boarding card. (On the return leg this procedure was not followed). The blanket material and size was not great though it came sealed in a pack. The seats installed in economy are designed for domestic operations or flights of less than a couple of hours. A seat with proper head and lumber support with a bit more cushioning would have helped enduring a 5+ hour flight. Pitch is decent though. The business class too had seats that resemble premium economy (or old business class seats) on most long haul carriers. Inflight entertainment was limited and was not really useful if you had not carried your own head set. Should have read the website before travel. But, by the time we took off (2320 hours) I had nothing but sleep on my mind. A light dinner was served minutes after aircraft reached its final altitude. It was spartan airline quality meal that does not require me to spend many words to qualify it. Water (500ml) is the only beverage that comes with the meal followed by tea or coffee. A passenger ahead of me asked for beer and was told not available on board. He said that he could see it being served in business class. Was informed that yes it's available up front. So he asked again how he could get it. A witty answer followed that told him book business class next time. (This again is not the norm. On the way back a drink trolley was rolled on a pay for the drink basis). Maybe it's a good idea not to serve alcohol (paid or unpaid) on certain sectors based on time of flight and passenger nationality. I may sound racist here but it takes just one uncontrolled idiot to spoil the flight for the rest.

Rest of the flight was uneventful. Bathrooms were kept generally clean - maybe the effect of "Swach Bharat Abhiyan" that Indians are now paying attention to their loo habits. Flight load - virtually full going into KL and 70% load on the way back.

Landed nearly on time at 7 am (despite the delay in Mumbai). Airline is a resident of KLIA2 - the low cost airline terminal. Luggage is on the belt by the time the passenger clears immigration. It was not as efficient on the way in; but then the immigration desks at Mumbai airport have become much better with the new procedures in place.

My rating - 3 on 5. Would I fly it again. It's not my choice for travel but I will not balk if I am asked to fly it again.

Minor Passenger - Major Views

The phone rang. My daughter's name popped up and I knew flight 9W535 had landed at CSIA-Mumbai. "Dad, I never want to fly this airline again". Hey! no Hi Dad! How are you Dad? She just sounded seriously annoyed. My son then got on the phone and said "Dad, this airline is worse than a budget airline". Now I was seriously amused. Both of them had nothing better to say to me, but rant about the airline - after flying in from Dubai post their mini vacation 5 days away from both parents. For my daughter of 12 years 8 months and son 14 years and 7 months; this was the return leg of their first international flight as unaccompanied passengers.

Rewind - the family had planned to spend New Year's in Dubai and I booked the seats on Jet Airways in September of 2014. A medical emergency threw a spanner in the works. My kids were disappointed that the trip would be called off; but my sister in law volunteered to look after them in Dubai. So, my wife and I decided to send the children as unaccompanied passengers. Since all four of us were on the same PNR; I had to get the same split. "Sir, since your daughter and son are both above 12 years we cannot accept them as unaccompanied minors" is what the call center rep told me when I called to get the PNR split. So, the task now was to convince my wife to travel with them or they could not go; and she was adamant not to travel. My son; who had heard the conversation with the call center agent and with my wife comes back to me after 15 minutes and says "Dad, that guy was wrong. See here it says both of us can travel as 'young passengers' as per the airline website and we can avail of the unaccompanied passenger facility". I took that link (http://www.jetairways.com/EN/IN/ProductAndServices/UnaccompaniedMinors.aspx)  and sent it to my travel agent; who in turn took up the matter with the airline's sales office; who in turn split the PNR and entered a remark that both children will travel as unaccompanied "young passengers" under the supervision of the airline's ground staff and crew. My Travel Agent asked the Sales Agent why did we get a different view from the call center? She said that it must be some new kid who is not aware of process. Huh! new kid? So, instead of helping out a passenger the call center cadet was actually doing the opposite because of a lack of training or whatever?

Back - "What was the problem dear?" I asked my daughter. "Dad, had we not requested a non-veg meal?" I nodded. "They said they ran out of non-veg food. Then, the TV did not work for most of the flight. When we asked the crew they said we will attend to it and each time we reminded them they gave us a dirty stare." My son jumped in "Dad we wanted to fly Jet because it is supposed to be the best Indian airline - right? If there was no food selection of choice and no entertainment on board then we may as well have flown Indigo - at least their crew behaves better with kids. We should ask them for compensation" "Yes, and Dad, please tweet what happened to us right now. Let the airline know that just because we are kids it cannot treat us unfairly. Someone yelled at the crew in the aircraft and got the selection she wanted and we who had booked our meal did not. Not fair" was the follow up by my daughter. These were strong statements. The angst in them made them forget that the ground staff at both Dubai and Mumbai treated them with care; which I reminded them of after they finished their snack and coffee at Starbucks. Yes, they did not eat on board, and I did send out a tweet with the feedback.

A friend of mine had just returned from Dubai a couple of days back; and he too had traveled on Jet Airways. He too was not in a mood to shower any compliments on the airline either. "Sad; it is heading the Air-India way - from pride of the Indian skies down into the pits. Can't blame the inflight crew really. The planes are showing their age and many of them are still configured as per the JetLite model (Budget) though the airline says it's back to it's one brand basics (http://www.jetairways.com/EN/IN/AboutUs/OnebrandJetAirways.aspx). Half the stuff that comes in the meal tray is unhealthy and most of it will end up as unconsumed rubbish. Can you believe that the bar was so ill provided for on an international sector? I don't know where they select their wines from?" were his views and they kind of got reinforced by what my kids had to say about it. 

Well, this is not a blog to bad mouth Jet Airways. For me, it's my first choice of flying within India and shall remain until I find the next full service airline that can better it. The point I am trying to make is that passengers of any age are no longer in an accepting mood and will vent one way or another. With kids getting more and more tech savvy; news of bad experiences will fly faster than the planes flown by airlines and that is no minor matter anymore.

(P.S.) The airline offered to credit my account with 2500 miles as compensation which was declined; not in the pursuit of more - but the fact that the compensation was not directed to or impacting the passengers really aggrieved. 

The Aggrieved Indian Air Passenger

I read an article recently that said:

"Air Passengers Association of India questions 'non-existent' low fares offered by airlines"

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-10-26/news/55446722_1_low-fares-dgca-air-passengers-association

Obviously; this issue must be an outcome of the numerous fare wars that the domestic airlines have fought with each other the last couple of months. APAI's contentions based on consumer (passenger) complaints are quite serious ranging from non-existent seats on the super low fares announced to a near cartelization  between the airlines based on the similarity of offers and validity period of the same. One cannot say if the entry of "AirAsia India" really did create such an impact with a fleet of less than 6 aircrafts for all the domestic airlines (including the loss making ones) to drastically drop fares; or is this a move by them to ensure that such carriers catch a tailwind back home from where they came. But then airlines have never been "Fair" fighters to begin with when it comes to "Fares". 

My minute exposure to the aviation industry via the hospitality industry tells me that the extreme low fares do exist. What the airlines don't advertise are the number of seats available at that price. The Revenue-Yield Management system is set to ensure a hockey stick curve up on fares with every seat per flight sold based on the traffic attracted - and yet the passenger always gets the satisfaction of buying a seat at a 10% - 15% cheaper than the normal expected rate. It is called IMPULSE buying and we all know it that it's the oldest trick in the book applied to sell any product or service and not just airline tickets. Recently on-line shopping sites got into trouble with off line retailers for selling goods at a price point cheaper than the manufacturer's sale price to the market. It's an acceptable gamble for a seller who treats this limited loss as marketing and promotion cost for customer acquisition. Does it bring about loyalty? I doubt it - as the competition has increased drastically and the buyer is now on a constant look out for the best deal. Everything comes at a price and most of these deals come with a list of caveats attached that at most times the consumer is no better off than buying at normal prices. 

On the Cartel bit; everyone knows that there is something called industrial espionage. The idea always is to be a bit and not far better than your competitor keeping room to up the ante as required. So, while it does look like a cartel in operation (which may well be the case); it's quite possible that the war strategy is not as secret as it's supposed to be. 

Despite the contentions; it is thanks to watch dog agencies like APAI and nodal agencies like the DGCA that air passenger in India are still better off as compared to flyers in other often developed nations when it comes to budget and full service carriers. For one getting a free cup of water, free check in baggage allowance, free seating assignment and many such services would not have been possible otherwise. Airlines world over are increasingly inconveniencing passengers in the name of low fares and security and it’s good to have a grievance airing forum. 

What I cannot understand however is that the biggest abuser of passenger rights in India is none other than our own national carrier "Air India" and yet no amount of moaning or groaning by passengers or APAI or DGCA for that matter have any effect on the way the airline operates. It has fallen a lot from the days when it was truly and proudly a “palace in the skies” (yes even economy), with its high service and aircraft maintenance standards to becoming nothing more than a drain on the tax payer offering shoddy service and flying an ill maintained fleet. If the Indian tax payers did some math, the loss the airline incurs in a year would be equal to buying each of them a round trip fare from Mumbai to Delhi at the least. This loss would have been forgiven had the carrier been the epitome of global quality standards making India stand proud of its national carrier; sadly, the airline has one of the worst records where it comes to treatment of passengers – many of them the very ones who fund the airline’s inefficiency. The faster this airline is handed over to a private player the better would this airline’s long term future be. National interest has to rise above politics and bettering this airline’s attitude and profitability would certainly be a part of good governance that our new PM talks about. It has had enough time to perform through patience, several cash and capital infusions made by successive governments at the cost of the tax payers – now it is time that this airline learns to fly profitably or perish. Until the government wakes up to this reality the Indian passenger will have to contend with a bad “free lunch” for an 8 hour delay by this airline as suitable compensation. The days of grief for the Indian passenger are far from over.   APAI may indeed call itself the "Aggrieved Passengers Association of India".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Mumbai/1000-stranded-for-hours-as-Air-India-flights-delayed/articleshow/44952713.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Passengers-get-unruly-as-AI-flight-delayed-by-8-hrs/articleshow/44943088.cms

Cash-strapped Air India insures grounded planes for $1 million each...

 

Turning Paradise to Hell

The Thai Prime Minister's recent faux pas on "Wearing Bikinis" (with reference to the murder of British tourists in Thailand) was all over the world press. He stated that tourist in Bikinis specially the good looking ones are making themselves vulnerable to attack; and that tourists should keep in mind the sensitivities of the locals while dressing up. The debate that followed - was he suggesting that women with less than model bodies can wear sexy swimwear and those with bodies to show off should restrain themselves? I think the whole point was missed:

First; that he is an army man and not a politically correct trained politician; and possibly his way of expressing himself is in line with how he would address and correct his troops. His intent was right only the way he said it was wrong. Second; two tourists were murdered and they were not the first; and I am sure that attire had not much to do with it.

There has been a steady rise in the "bloody" crime rate (against westerners) in Thailand with the increase of tourists attracted by its fame for "sex drugs and rock and roll" as much as it beauty and beaches.

A few months back; a minister in Goa demanded a ban on bikinis citing that it goes against the Indian culture. Goa too is facing a very similar situation to Thailand where several tourists (mostly westerners) have been raped and killed. Most of them have been connected to the various drug mafia factions that have now taken control of much of the tourist belt as is happening in Thailand or Bali or any tourist destination in the world. The ask by the minister became a point of ridicule on social media when Indians (not foreigners) posted images of the erotic temple statues in Kahujrao and pictures from the "kama sutra" with tag lines stating  - Is this not Indian Culture?

I think this whole "culture" sensitivity is a farce. Foreigners visit a place to have fun. Not that they cannot do it in their own countries; but the might of their stronger currency and the overall warmth of the Asian nations in temperature and people is certainly an alluring magnet. While most of Asian upbringing is based on dignity - modesty - chastity; secretly the openness of the west is every Asian's desire. I am sure that those very men who shout about the corruption caused by western influences would be the very ones caught in the liberal red light zones in Europe. Locals may hate the behaviour of tourists but in many places the "dollars" they bring run local houses to prosperity. Take away the tourism and kill the local economy.

There is really no culturally correct tourism. Every tourist is not expected to understand the local sensitivity and there is need for locals to educate themselves about tourist sensitivities. In Bali, unknowing tourists (both men and women) visit temples in shorts and they are asked to wrap a sarong. Yes someone makes money in renting sarongs but no one seems to get offended. If local politics are so concerned about the culture; then let them go after the biggest enemy of any culture - drugs. I find it hard to believe that drug mafias can set up shop without the blessing of the local protectors (politicians and police). A taxi driver in Goa once warned me not to enter a street at night saying that it was what local call "gang street". I looked on my left and saw the local police station right at that junction.

Well to put it in biblical perspective - it took one apple to turn paradise into hell; and in today's time its the several bad apples within our own societies that have turned our tourist paradises into hell. In a world where there are Countries that lash people for expressing happiness - let's not kill those who are just seeking out some fun.

Flying Comfortable & Relaxed

Following up on my blog on seat discomfort and Airbus's attempt to create saddle seats, there is a new development. Yes Airbus strikes yet again. In an attempt to make a uncomfortable, stressful and intolerable flight desirable to the passenger; it has patented a seat with a VR (Virtual Reality) helmet that in a way partially hypnotizes your senses away from all that is bothering on a flight like crying babies, badly behaved co passengers, lack of legroom, possibly no recline, tight seats, no entertainment or reading material, bad food (if at all served), and the list can go on.

The intentions may all be right but then if the flight or craft is not designed with real passenger comfort in mind; then, everything on the plane can break down except the VR helmet cause if it does then all hell may break loose on the aircraft.

Think of it; airlines can stop serving free booze, limit a passenger's need to take loo breaks, hit on the stewards (any sex), offer almost no choice in entertainment, have no cases of air sickness, and possibly even air-rage. I smell profit.

Thank God my travel days are waning now. It is frightening what an airline could do if permitted to mandatorily force passengers to keep the head gear on as soon as the doors are secured until they let the passengers out again. Influence loyalty, spends, likes, dislikes, and what not. Of course this is just guess work and the head gear may be a few years away and may not be cheap for airlines to implement. But if airlines weigh the cost of carrying 250 persons on saddles  with such VR helmets that take away the pain as against just 160 on the same craft using normal seats - then that may not be just a thought anymore.

Seat Fight

A few days back, I read about a mid air fight between two passengers where the flight had to be force landed post a diversion. Reason; the passenger in front wanted to recline the seat and the passenger at the rear was being inconvenienced. Both were fare paying customers and right in their own way - the front person had the right to recline as much as the seat allowed and the person at the rear did not want crushed knees. (There are gadgets called "knee defenders" available that prevent the front seat from reclining to their capacity and apparently after this incident they are now banned on aircrafts). The culprit then has to be the airline for installing seats with such a low pitch (the distance between 2 seats) and allowing it to recline. The airline being a low cost one justifies that it has to maximize the number of seats on board to justify the low fare. But I have seen even full service carriers adopting the same pitch in economy as many low cost carriers to pack in a few more business class seats up front. I have travelled on one budget carrier where the seats do not (thankfully) recline in any row based on the low pitch in all its standardized aircrafts.

Airlines state that the passengers have a choice and know fully well what they are contracting when buying a ticket. True. But the airlines have taken this game a bit too far where there is very little difference left between the low cost budget and full service airlines - be it fare or offering. I refuse to fly a limited service budget airline on any route greater than 90 minutes be it international or domestic. Just not worth it anymore to play the "extras" game for a net saving of 20% or less with all the negative caveats and stress of baggage weight, size, food, water, number of washrooms on board, etc. At times these airlines end up costing more than the full service full fare airlines based on the rigid unfriendly attitude of airline staff in permitting a non conforming bag on board or the over priced extras you buy on board. It's now become more or less a norm not to allow a cain bag weighing more than 7 kgs and conform to the 55-40-20 size including wheels and handle. Most hand bags weigh about a kilo - that leaves 6kgs to take on board. So the passenger is forced to buy bag weight or travel with very little personal effects. Lotions, deo, foam, gels and all the other potential bomb making items we call toiletries have to be in  less than 100ml packs or they go into check-in bags (cost). Some airlines have learnt the lesson and are easing up but for most customer is on the bottom of their agenda.

I have read articles on how seat manufacturers are seeing these incidents as an opportunity to rehaul design to make seats more passenger friendly with the new lesser pitch being adopted. Airline seats are by and large quite expensive and even if available; most airlines will not readily replace them based on the overhaul costs. Then again, airlines are being called greedy (like in the article pasted below). Could be, but with most airlines losing money this allegation may not entirely be correct. Airlines counter by saying that high fuel cost, impost, charges and taxes by airports and landing authorities are forcing out profits; and as a result the airlines are being pushed to their limits to collect revenues from whatever possible sources - even at the cost of passenger comfort,safety and satisfaction.

An airline used to have the tagline "Fly the friendly skies". That was many years back when flying was fun. Today, I go into a depression at the very thought of taking a flight. Flying is no longer what it used to be and all the constituents that make up air travel are blaming each other for the mess.
While the blame game is on - the seat fights will only keep growing as humans genetically have started becoming taller and fatter while the net area occupied per seat is getting smaller by the day. This form of passive hijack by ordinary passengers will soon be a norm rather than an exception. Surprisingly, no one seems to care.

Air Travel Is Becoming Inhumane, And It Won’t Change As Long As Airlines Remain Greedy  http://elitedaily.com/news/world/air-travel-is-stressful/734026/

AIRBUS WANTS BICYCLE-STYLE AIRPLANE SEATS, WHICH BEATS THE "STANDING-ROOM" ALTERNATIVE

http://www.bustle.com/articles/31559-airbus-wants-bicycle-style-airplane-seats-which-beats-the-standing-room-alternative

Majority of Americans Are Against Using Knee Defenders on Airline Flights 

http://skift.com/2014/09/02/majority-of-americans-are-against-using-knee-defenders-on-airline-flights/

We Found the Smart Aircraft Seat that Could Spare Millions of Passengers’ Knees   

Marisa Garcia, Skift

@designerjet