I feel like saying "a single inch" like it's a pittance when we're talking about airplane legroom is a bit silly. Sure, it seems small compared to the other 31 inches, but that's not a fair comparison, because most of those 31 inches are non negotiable.
Realistically, we're talking about at least a 5% reduction in leg room, and that's nothing to sneeze at.
You obviously are not above average in terms of height. I'm 6'5" and planes are a nightmare of cramps and bruised knees. A single inch can mean the difference between being able to sleep comfortably on a long flight and staying awake while stiffening up for eight hours.
Ditto. I tried the near OD strategy for an Auckland-Rome series of flights. It turns out that you reach the point where they dont work anymore - at least not easily. At 4x the recommended dose I couldn't sleep that last 6 hours. I seem to max out at about 20ish hours of sleep. I almost got a DVT - swollen leg and very painful. I just avoid flights now.
It’s bad enough on buses and trains already (although newer Dutch Railways trains are great), but with flying I now have to make sure beforehand that I will physically fit. It’s not a matter of comfort for me, and it’s not like one can go to the gym and lose some height.
Realistically, we're talking about at least a 5% reduction in leg room, and that's nothing to sneeze at.