Sir - Professor Zopp's comment on seating arrangements of the proposed AVIC/Airbus AE31X regional jet (Flight International, 11-17 June, P144), prompts me to point out that the majority of passengers using these aircraft would prefer to see airport location and access, and boarding time, addressed, rather than the number of seats abreast.
On short-haul flights, with current arrangements, a journey time of 30min means 2-3h to and from most airports and 1h boarding time.
I do not see any of the half-dozen or so regional jets which are either in progress or under consideration making any impact on the problem of total journey time at all.
In terms of location and boarding time, London City Airport shows that it can be done, and the BAe146 demonstrates that 70-seat jets can blend into their environment.
Is it not time for airport authorities and aircraft manufacturers to consider what the customer really wants?
D F Newland
Watford, Hertfordshire
Source: Flight International