Air safety issue raised over tight squeeze on seats

Shrinking space on planes is surely uncomfortable, but it might also be dangerous for passengers' health and safety.

Aircraft are filled with more passengers than ever before. Those flying are older and heavier. Flight attendants warn about an increase in air rage, and experts question if having rows of seats packed closer together might make it harder for passengers to evacuate after a crash.

A consumer advisory group set up by the United States Department of Transportation looked into all these issues on Tuesday at a public hearing as part of its role to make nonbinding suggestions to government regulators.