economy-class syndrome

British  

noun

1. (not in technical usage) the development of a deep-vein thrombosis in the legs or pelvis of a person travelling for a long period of time in cramped conditions

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Etymology

Origin of economy-class syndrome

C20: reference to the restricted legroom of cheaper seats on passenger aircraft

Example Sentences

Because DVT is associated with cramped airline seats, it came to be known as economy-class syndrome.

From Time Magazine Archive

Another common in-flight problem is deep venous thrombosis--the so-called economy-class syndrome.

From Time Magazine Archive

Headline writers are calling it "the economy-class syndrome," underscoring the striking difference between the legroom in first- and business-class cabins and that in the rest of the plane.

From Time Magazine Archive