Originally Posted by cova

I will take this a different direction. Since the planes are "packed to the gills" - CO needed more seats on the 735 to make it more profitable. Removing one row of F on the 735 (minus 4 F seats) - CO was able to add 12 coach seats - which is a big increase for this aircraft. CO later reconfigured the closet area and gained 2 FC seats - so the net was: minus 2 FC seats, plus 12 coach seats - a net gain of 10 seats - close to a 10% increase.

The 735 being the smallest 737 is the least profitable of the 737's. Basically a 735 requires the same expenses as a larger 73G/738/739 with an extra FA.

Plus the 735 flies on shorter flights - like DCA-EWR and on the longer flights - the routes are not necessarily routes with lots of FC ticket purchases.

Also - CO is starting to phase out the 735 - getting rid of some this year.