More People Flying in the Same-Sized Cabin [AUDIO]

NEW JERSEY 101.5

Airlines have been adding seats to their coach cabins; it's a move that's great for their bottom line, but horrible for passengers.

Much like the way they've added fees in recent years for baggage and snacks, the airlines are trying to help their financial situation by adding an extra row of seats or an extra seat per row.

Some Boeing plans have been adjusted from eight to 10 seats per row, according to Courtney Scott, senior editor at Tripadvisor.

"You're looking at about a 17-inch seat," Scott said. "Think about that - 17 inches. That's quite narrow for the average adult."

The move is putting the squeeze on passengers' legroom, elbow room and shoulder room. Of course, the aisle would be tighter as well. Plus, it's becoming an even fiercer competition to get your baggage into the already-stuffed overhead bins.

Dealing with the unpleasant aspects of flying can put a damper on any trip, so Scott offered a few tips to "ease the pain":

• Dress smart - Don't bulk up with jackets and sweaters; wear thin layers. That extra breathing room can make a big difference in your tight space.
• Get on-board first - When your aisles are called at the gate, don't lag behind. The earlier you get in, the more likely you are to get your luggage into the overhead bins.
• SeatGuru.com - Sites like this give you tips on every seat on your specific flight. Maybe the seats in the last row don't decline, or the windows are misaligned in row 11.
• Change seats - Even though you may have picked your seat months ago, passengers can change their seats until the last minute. You may already have an aisle seat, but maybe now there's an aisle seat with an empty middle seat next to it.