US airlines seek air marshals in economy cabins

US Air Transportation Association and airline CEOs met recently with Transport Security Administration and the Federal Air Marshal Service requesting the TSA to reconsider the placement of marshals in first-class cabins, based on current security threats (Wall Street Journal, 30-Sep-2010). Federal air marshals have been deployed on services since 2011, and are almost always seated in first class. However, the airlines have stated there is a history of attackers choosing coach seats adding that there are more threats in this cabin than in first class.

Air Transportation Association: "Our concern is far less revenue and more that we have defences appropriate to the threat. We think there needs to be an even distribution, particularly when we have multiple agents on board," James May, CEO. Source: Wall Street Journal, 30-Sep-2010.