What is the minimum continuous seating per passenger?

What is the minimum continuous seating per passenger?

• A. Seating is optional.
• B. Seating must provide 18 inches of continuous seating for each passenger.
• C. Seating must be 24 inches per passenger.
• D. Only square seating is allowed.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is ensuring each passenger has enough width to sit safely and comfortably. The standard sets a minimum continuous seating width of 18 inches for every person. That means the seat portion allocated to an individual must be at least 18 inches wide, measured continuously along the seating surface, so there are no gaps or split sections. This helps with stability and comfort, and it scales with the number of passengers. For example, if there are five people, you’d need at least 5 × 18 = 90 inches of continuous seating along that row. The other options don’t fit because seating isn’t optional when a minimum is defined, 24 inches would exceed the minimum, and the shape of seating (like “square seating”) isn’t what dictates the per-passenger width. So 18 inches per passenger is the correct minimum.

The main idea here is ensuring each passenger has enough width to sit safely and comfortably. The standard sets a minimum continuous seating width of 18 inches for every person. That means the seat portion allocated to an individual must be at least 18 inches wide, measured continuously along the seating surface, so there are no gaps or split sections.

This helps with stability and comfort, and it scales with the number of passengers. For example, if there are five people, you’d need at least 5 × 18 = 90 inches of continuous seating along that row.

The other options don’t fit because seating isn’t optional when a minimum is defined, 24 inches would exceed the minimum, and the shape of seating (like “square seating”) isn’t what dictates the per-passenger width. So 18 inches per passenger is the correct minimum.