Anyone Leaving WN (or reducing flights) because of Evolve?
May 26, 2013, 8:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP
Posts: 1,093
Anyone Leaving WN (or reducing flights) because of Evolve?
Just curious if anyone is reducing their WN flights because of evolve. Being 6'2" and a 100% WN flyer (A+ for many years), I will be deviating next month. It's a longer flight and while taking WN is more convenient, I would rather have more comfort and be able to open my laptop then be squished like a sardine.
May 26, 2013, 9:13 pm
#2
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,623
No change here. For my short flights I am roughly indifferent to reduced comfort vs. presumably 4% higher fares if the old seating were restored.
The main reasons I don't switch are better flight options, no change fees, and better on-time performance. Rapid Rewards is no longer a major plus factor in the comparison with my other options.
The main reasons I don't switch are better flight options, no change fees, and better on-time performance. Rapid Rewards is no longer a major plus factor in the comparison with my other options.
May 26, 2013, 9:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
I already reduced my WN flying due to RR 2.0 and pretty much only fly the magic 25 flights to maintain my A- benefits. I hate Devolve so much that if another airline flew directs from ONT to SMF, OAK, SJC or LAS I'd drop to zero on WN.
May 26, 2013, 10:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: 36,000 feet
Programs: RR: A List Preferred. DL, UA, AA: may as well be nothing
Posts: 88
Can't say I have reduced because of evolve. I don't like Evolve...don't care what the marketing hype says, at 6' 3" I can definitely say there is less legroom and the seat is not as comfortable, but what are the options? WN now has the same pitch as everyone else. No change fees keep me loyal...the moment they go away I'll see no difference to other airlines on my most frequent routes, then i will be loyal to the cheapest.
May 26, 2013, 10:04 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
Unfortunately, it looks like the legacies are also moving in this direction. UA is installing new slimline seats on their A319s and A320s (and adding 1-2 rows in the process) which sound worse than WN's Evolve-- word is the pitch will be only 30". And while it hasn't gotten much attention, AA is using those same seats (as UA) on their new A319s and A321s, and I would not be surprised if those birds had worse pitch than what's currently found on AA mainline.
May 26, 2013, 10:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: 36,000 feet
Programs: RR: A List Preferred. DL, UA, AA: may as well be nothing
Posts: 88
Unfortunately, it looks like the legacies are also moving in this direction. UA is installing new slimline seats on their A319s and A320s (and adding 1-2 rows in the process) which sound worse than WN's Evolve-- word is the pitch will be only 30". And while it hasn't gotten much attention, AA is using those same seats (as UA) on their new A319s and A321s, and I would not be surprised if those birds had worse pitch than what's currently found on AA mainline.
Ouch...I think I'll just quit flying.
May 26, 2013, 10:57 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,748
No. The deal breaker for me will be any devaluation of the companion pass or of the TTF policy.
The new seats are inferior. Nobody disputes that. But, for a one hour flight, I can endure chains and spikes.
The new seats are inferior. Nobody disputes that. But, for a one hour flight, I can endure chains and spikes.
May 26, 2013, 11:08 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,511
Our version of the seat will have several upgraded comfort features over the base model. These include multi-directional headrests, added lumbar support, and a different seat bottom cushion with more padding and multiple layers of soft memory foam. The literature seat pocket has been moved higher, which facilitates the above increase in knee space, and there’s a new amenity pocket specifically for personal items.
May 27, 2013, 1:25 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston (HOU/IAH)
Programs: WN, UA, DL, AA, Chase UR, Amex MR
Posts: 2,269
My main gripe is how, on some aircraft, it feels as if you're being dumped out of the seat onto the floor due to the slope of the bottom cushion. IMO this is not consistent on all the aircraft, or perhaps the the cushion flattens out some after it's been in service for a while?
Otherwise, I actually do like the reduced recline as it prevents the sensation of having the person in front of you reclining right into your face.
Otherwise, I actually do like the reduced recline as it prevents the sensation of having the person in front of you reclining right into your face.
May 27, 2013, 3:25 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: AS MVP, Elevate, AAdvantage, Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,992
Evolve on the 737-700s is definitely a bit cramped. The seat comfort is hard to describe...I found the seat back to be well padded, but the seat cushion itself was uncomfortable. Legroom isn't quite as bad as sitting toward the back on an AA 738 or UA 738, but it's definitely worse than before. Haven't flown on a WN 738 yet, which I know is supposed to better. Can't say Evolve would stop me from flying WN. I've mostly reduced WN flying due to the devaluation of the frequent flyer program.
May 27, 2013, 5:57 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,460
As long as they remain competitive in price and the no change fee remains, I will mostly fly WN. For my flights they usually are competitive in price, though others seem to find differently.
May 27, 2013, 8:52 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Atlantic Beach, Florida, USA
Posts: 1,000
As I stated in another thread, I'm moving flights/conx greater than 3 hours. Only amounts to 2 or 3 round trips per year. Would rather use status on OAs, which provides Economy Comfort, discounted F ticket or upgrade.
May 27, 2013, 8:54 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
May 27, 2013, 9:01 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: AUS, SAN, EDI, BA F, WN Exit Row
Programs: Southwest Airlines AP & CP; BA Gold
Posts: 169
I'm not a fan of Evolve, but for my regular routes WN is the best solution.
SAN->AUS->SAN - WN provides the only direct flights...two a day.
PHX->AUS->PHX - The only other direct flight is US Airways and 3/4 of those are on regional jets that make Evolve seating on a 737-700 or 737-800 seem awesome!
I stopped flying American, US Airways and United due to their culture of lying to valued customers, dumping passengers into a customer service nightmare when things go wrong, and senior employees (AA FA's were the worst) with horrible attitudes.
I'll grumble about Evolve, but WN always makes me feel that they are pulling to get me where i need to go and won't knowingly lie to me.
SAN->AUS->SAN - WN provides the only direct flights...two a day.
PHX->AUS->PHX - The only other direct flight is US Airways and 3/4 of those are on regional jets that make Evolve seating on a 737-700 or 737-800 seem awesome!
I stopped flying American, US Airways and United due to their culture of lying to valued customers, dumping passengers into a customer service nightmare when things go wrong, and senior employees (AA FA's were the worst) with horrible attitudes.
I'll grumble about Evolve, but WN always makes me feel that they are pulling to get me where i need to go and won't knowingly lie to me.
May 27, 2013, 9:07 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SJC, Northern Cal.
Programs: SWA RR BIS 6.2M, A+'20, CP'20, AA, UA Gold, Hertz PC, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 909
VA recently started service from SJC. Ive heard good things about their service and my company pays for my tickets so I'm considering at least looking into them.