If you’ve ever traveled by plane, you know how it goes. Knees tucked under your jaw. Feet wedged against the bag you stuffed beneath the seat in front of you. One elbow in your hip crease. The other fighting your neighbor for space on the arm rest. And the comforting “thud-thud-thud” of a kid kicking your seatback from the row behind you. 

So why do airline seats have to be so small? Is it for financial reasons? And … has it always been like that? Let’s find it out!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices