Southwest Rapid Rewards - New 737-800 aircraft seats = reduced recline, hope they change their minds

I recently flew across country on a brand new SWA 737-800 aircraft. Beautiful interior but the seats dont recline like they used to. The flight attendant said the old format was a 3" recline, now its 2". You wouldnt think 1" matters but unfortunately it does. The new seats feel like theres virtually no recline

Be happy you weren't on a new "Evolve" interior 700, where the seat pitch is also reduced by 1".

With regards to the seat recline on the -800's, that is my biggest complaint too. In our row (#3), the seats only reclined one inch.

At that rate, why bother reclining at all? At the end of the flight, I found it amusing that the FAs still had to wake up sleeping passengers to get the seats fully upright for landing.

I don't remember the last time I reclined my evolve or non-evolve seat on WN...

its possible the seat on my flight only reclined 1" and not the perceived 2"... it basically didnt recline.

if you live on the road, life's already a grind... none of us need more problems (like arriving off a 5hr+ flight feeling like crap)

I don't recline ever out of courtesy for my fellow passenger behind me. We are all cramped enough already that I hate to add any additional misery for someone else. It's quite impossible to work comfortably on a laptop when the person in front of you goes for the full recline. You end up with T-Rex arms trying to type. During the recline, I find myself in a rush to grab my screen before it gets crushed between the tray table and the latch on the back of the seat.

Is the -800 actually a different implementation of the Evolve interior?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-rapid-rewards/1303449-southwest-airlines-new-interior-adds-1-row-claims-preserve-knee-room.html

I don't recline ever out of courtesy for my fellow passenger behind me.

Glad to hear there are at least some civil travelers out there.^

Is the -800 actually a different implementation of the Evolve interior?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-rapid-rewards/1303449-southwest-airlines-new-interior-adds-1-row-claims-preserve-knee-room.html

Essentially the same, except it's been said that the seat pitch remained at 32" in the 800's, and the lighting and overhead compartments are an adaptation of the Boeing Sky Interior.

Oh, and on a personal note: I never recline. It just makes a tight space even worse.

Add me to the list of no recliners. Aside from being inconsiderate to their person behind you I find a reclined seat to be more uncomfortable. The other day I had the one open seat on the plane directly behind me (well, semi-open: an oversize pet carrier that wasn't noticed during boarding was placed on the floor against the window as that was the only "safe" place for it) so I figured I could recline guilt free. After a minute or two I went back to regular configuration as it was making my back hurt and I suddenly remembered why I don't bother to recline.

I'm half way to A- so far this year and I so far still have not been on a new interior plane. Came close a few weeks ago but a last minute change put me back on a regular -700. A trip to Boston next month shows a new -700 and a -800... for now.

I may have to start flying another carrier for 4hr+ flights, something i dont want to do.

I opine that they will decline to redesign their recline. :)

With regards to the seat recline on the -800's, that is my biggest complaint too. In our row (#3), the seats only reclined one inch.

At that rate, why bother reclining at all? At the end of the flight, I found it amusing that the FAs still had to wake up sleeping passengers to get the seats fully upright for landing.

haha... i got woken up by the FA and i said "honey, it's not reclined!" The seat recline so little, she can't tell the difference between a reclined and non-reclined seat - how sad! err, Southwest's latest changes are getting to me in a very disappointing way...

I was flying on UA last week (couldn't fly WN because of work rules). The person in front of me reclined... the seat was so close to my face that I couldn't read my tablet. Zero recline seemed like a pretty good option after that. Granted, it's never nearly that bad on WN (caveat: 45 of my 46 flights this year have been on -300s), but its still annoying to have my space invaded.

Frankly, I'd rather have someone invading my space coming from in front of me than from the side. No one, if my last 8 flights are examples, knows how to share an arm rest. I end up sitting with my body twisted into a shape so I can manipulate my laptop.

I opine that they will decline to redesign their recline. :)

Chuckle. ^

If you can detect or suspect that the pax in front of you is about to recline, I have found that firmly pushing on the seatback will keep it from reclining, and the pax will quit trying after a few attempts. Shame on me.

I've also found the overhead air diffuser to be an effective weapon against the unwelcome recliner. :D

I'm with the OP on this one. At some point during a long flight, you almost have to recline. Sometimes a little and sometimes a lot. Your spine has to be in different position from time to time (think of tossing and turning when sleeping in your own bed), otherwise, you are gonna hurt after the flight. Having the recline only helps in that effort. You just need to be considerate with others around you...

I'm with the OP on this one.... Having the recline only helps in that effort. You just need to be considerate with others around you...

And that consideration is you do not need to recline a full 3 inches into the person behind you.

No way is Southwest going to "change their minds."

That being said....everyone should feel free to recline their seat to their heart's content. I love the folks here that get all worked up about the recline issue. I doubt the seat-pusher would push on MY seat if he saw me.

Believe it.

And that consideration is you do not need to recline a full 3 inches into the person behind you.

actually I simply ask. If they are doing something on their laptop or something, I don't recline so much. But if there is no one behind me, I stretch out. Isn't that the whole point? Having options?

While I've become pretty good at "profiling" the type of passenger that will or will not recline in front of me, when I pick my seat, I commend Southwest for helping to (almost) eliminate this practice. It is simply not possible to recline w/o making the person behind you uncomfortable. So let's stop that practice.

I recline to my heart's desire. FT is full of a bunch of whiners.

FT is full of a bunch of whiners.

Oh, no! You've discovered our secret! :eek:

What was your first clue?

:D:D:D

I do not recline as I consider it more uncomfortable. I also do not like for people to recline and restrict the room that I have. However, I have accepted that the recline position is the option of the recliner and that it is one of life's little irritations that I have learned to accept. After all, if it were my option and control, the little button would be on the back of the seat and the recliner would have to ask my permission to recline. They get the control and they get to use it.

However, the back of the seat is mine, including the tray table, and reclining may restrict its use. It is a non-resolvable conflict. Someone must lose. Since I have no control over the recline, then I guess I lose.

I absolutely draw the line when the person in front of me invades the space between me and the seat back in front of me. I have have had people with long hair throw their hair over the back of the seat. I have had people stretch their arms behind their head and let their hands hang behind the headrest. I have had people hang their jackets and sweaters over the seat so that they drape over my tray table. First they get a nice request. That usually works. If not, more aggressive tactics may be needed including involving the FA.

Bottom line, for me the new interior just went up a notch on my opinion scale if the recline has been reduced or nearly eliminated.

I doubt the seat-pusher would push on MY seat if he saw me. Believe it.

LOL...reminds me of Elmer Fudd. "I'm gonna get that cwazy seat-recwining wabbit..."

Most people that recline are infrequent travelers and don't know any better. If you are a frequent flyer and still have so little courtesy for your fellow passenger that the extra comfort you get from moving your seat 3 inches is worth making another person miserable and unable to work, then you, by definition, are a douche.

don't know any better

Ha! I suggest you subscribe to Ink's philosophy above. And if you can't work because the person in front of you reclined their seat, then you brought the wrong tool to do your job.

And welcome to FlyerTalk, but based on your first post I think you may have forgotten the "hi" and "ing" from your username. ;)

I generally consider people who fully recline (without asking first -- although I must say I've never once had anyone ask) to be inconsiderate at best, jerks at worst. The space in a plane is already tight for everyone; all reclining does is make it worse for the person behind you. More than once I've had the screen of my laptop (a tiny 11" Macbook Air) crunched by someone slamming their seat back as soon as we reached 10,000 feet.

I generally consider people who fully recline (without asking first -- although I must say I've never once had anyone ask) to be inconsiderate at best, jerks at worst. The space in a plane is already tight for everyone; all reclining does is make it worse for the person behind you. More than once I've had the screen of my laptop (a tiny 11" Macbook Air) crunched by someone slamming their seat back as soon as we reached 10,000 feet.

Slightly OT, but how come your laptop was open (more than once, apparently) before your aircraft reached 10k feet? :D Isn't that against FAA regs? Got to be above 10k before the device is opened, no?

That said, I'm with you. Gradual, limited recline, if at all, to avoid all of the above is what I would subscribe to...if I ever chose (or more likely, was compelled) to fly WN since RR went to the dogs.

Slightly OT, but how come your laptop was open (more than once, apparently) before your aircraft reached 10k feet? :D Isn't that against FAA regs? Got to be above 10k before the device is opened, no?

That said, I'm with you. Gradual, limited recline, if at all, to avoid all of the above is what I would subscribe to...if I ever chose (or more likely, was compelled) to fly WN since RR went to the dogs.

If I had to guess, at 10K ursine1 opened computer to turn it on and the recliner nearly simultaneously reclined.

As for me, I get my computer out before 10K and am ready to turn it on as soon as I hear the "Ding." As far as I know, the 10K restriction is for electronics. My tray table is down and my computer is ready in anticipation of the 10K.

BTW, I do not know where the tray table restriction is except for approach, takeoff and landing. I usually put mine down and start to get stuff out just before the 10K as I estimate it. I usually do not miss it my much more than a minute.

I recline to my heart's desire. FT is full of a bunch of whiners.

That being said....everyone should feel free to recline their seat to their heart's content. I love the folks here that get all worked up about the recline issue. I doubt the seat-pusher would push on MY seat if he saw me.

Go ahead and recline. I reserve the right to stick my knees or feet into the thinly padded area that hits your lower back. ;) I'm more than happy to play games. What else do I have to do on a pressurized soda can at 40,000 feet?

Go ahead and recline. I reserve the right to stick my knees or feet into the thinly padded area that hits your lower back. ;) I'm more than happy to play games. What else do I have to do on a pressurized soda can at 40,000 feet?

Awesome! I hope that you'll be seated behind me when I fly to/from PDX in a few weeks. What's that? Did you say something about explosives? :p

Go ahead and recline. I reserve the right to stick my knees or feet into the thinly padded area that hits your lower back. ;) I'm more than happy to play games. What else do I have to do on a pressurized soda can at 40,000 feet?

Don't forget about turning the air vent onto full blast and aiming it forward. I doubt anyone will recline for that long.

Most people that recline are infrequent travelers and don't know any better. If you are a frequent flyer and still have so little courtesy for your fellow passenger that the extra comfort you get from moving your seat 3 inches is worth making another person miserable and unable to work, then you, by definition, are a douche.

Oh God not another self righteous "anti recliner". A plane is public transportation - want everything then fly private or don't fly at all. I am not a "passenger of size" and will not spill into the seat next to me. I am clean and do not (a) smell awful or (b) put on tons of cologne. I am not loud. I will not bother you nor do I yap loudly on my cell phone right before take off or upon landing. I WILL RECLINE after looking back to make sure I won't smash your laptop or your face.

For those of you that don't recline - cool. That's so kind of you. Those of us who recline after looking and making sure we're not disrupting anything are not some sort of lower being - we're trying to be comfortable ourselves while taking others into account.

You sir or madame are not a frequent flyer - a real frequent flyer knows that when you travel so much, slight comforts make life easier. Reclining my seat does not make you physically miserable. If you have claustrophobia find yourself a private jet. Get over yourself.

Oh God not another self righteous "anti recliner". A plane is public transportation - want everything then fly private or don't fly at all. I am not a "passenger of size" and will not spill into the seat next to me. I am clean and do not (a) smell awful or (b) put on tons of cologne. I am not loud. I will not bother you nor do I yap loudly on my cell phone right before take off or upon landing. I WILL RECLINE after looking back to make sure I won't smash your laptop or your face.

For those of you that don't recline - cool. That's so kind of you. Those of us who recline after looking and making sure we're not disrupting anything are not some sort of lower being - we're trying to be comfortable ourselves while taking others into account.

You sir or madame are not a frequent flyer - a real frequent flyer knows that when you travel so much, slight comforts make life easier. Reclining my seat does not make you physically miserable. If you have claustrophobia find yourself a private jet. Get over yourself.

You smash into my knees and make it impossible for me to get work done. I ask the person not to recline politely and mention that I need to get work done. If that doesnt work, I just jam something sharp into the seatbacks until they put their seat back to normal. If THAT doesnt work I just turn the back of their seat into a punching bag.

Enjoy your recline you toolbags.

Reclining makes you 5% more comfortable, and me 50+% less comfortable, and 100% less productive, its common sense, YOU get over yourself like you're some delicate flower that needs that 3 inches less bend from the waist or you just wont be able to rest.

Edit: Thanks for the idea about the vent, tis a good idea will have to try next time.

You smash into my knees and make it impossible for me to get work done. I ask the person not to recline politely and mention that I need to get work done. If that doesnt work, I just jam something sharp into the seatbacks until they put their seat back to normal. If THAT doesnt work I just turn the back of their seat into a punching bag.

Enjoy your recline you toolbags.

Reclining makes you 5% more comfortable, and me 50+% less comfortable, and 100% less productive, its common sense, YOU get over yourself like you're some delicate flower that needs that 3 inches less bend from the waist or you just wont be able to rest.

Edit: Thanks for the idea about the vent, tis a good idea will have to try next time.
Oh please please please please please be seated behind me on my next flight! It sounds like you travel for business. It'll be fun forcing you to have to explain to your employer why you missed your meetings because you were arrested for assault. I travel through MSP, DEN, SLC, PDX, and PHX on August 24 and 27. Do you have plans to fly through there then? I can change my flight times to accommodate if needed. :D

Oh please please please please please be seated behind me on my next flight! It sounds like you travel for business. It'll be fun forcing you to have to explain to your employer why you missed your meetings because you were arrested for assault. I travel through MSP, DEN, SLC, PDX, and PHX on August 24 and 27. Do you have plans to fly through there then? I can change my flight times to accommodate if needed. :D

I am flying PHX > SNA on the 27th, but I am A16 or BS on my flights so I end up in exit rows so ninny's like you can't jam your seats into me.

This topic is the reduced amount of recline, not about the decision to recline or not.

FT has dozens if not hundreds of threads on the generic seat reclining debate. You can be certain that anything you post has been posted before many times. Please sit back, relax, and give it a rest.

I am flying PHX > SNA on the 27th, but I am A16 or BS on my flights so I end up in exit rows so ninny's like you can't jam your seats into me.

Edit: shhhh nsx is back :D

Shucks, the wrong direction. Well I hope some thru passengers already have the exit row seats, you have a recliner in front of you, and a single mother with one crying baby and a second kid kicking the back of your seat. WAHHHHHHHHHH

I am flying PHX > SNA on the 27th, but I am A16 or BS on my flights so I end up in exit rows so ninny's like you can't jam your seats into me.

DELETED. Safe travels.

Please sit back, relax, and give it a rest.

Can we recline our seats? :D

Awesome! I hope that you'll be seated behind me when I fly to/from PDX in a few weeks. What's that? Did you say something about explosives? :p

Don't you hate when things "accidentally" drop out of the overhead or someone "accidentally" spills coffee on you, or farts when walking by you? :p

You smash into my knees and make it impossible for me to get work done. I ask the person not to recline politely and mention that I need to get work done. If that doesnt work, I just jam something sharp into the seatbacks until they put their seat back to normal. If THAT doesnt work I just turn the back of their seat into a punching bag.

Enjoy your recline you toolbags.

Having you behind me next trip would reanimate my spirits.

Bring your attitude.