Oct 6, 2013, 5:04 pm
Last edit by: alggag
Southwest has added one row of seats to virtually all its aircraft, increasing the seat count from 137 to 143. The pitch is tighter, the seats are thinner and lower, and passengers taller than 6 feet are finding it uncomfortable.
Only a few older 737-300's and 500's have not been refitted. The 737-800's, were originally equipped with the thinner seats but at a larger pitch which most customers find sufficiently comfortable.
In this thread we discuss the wisdom of this decision, discuss whether it makes sense to switch carriers, commiserate, and celebrate our occasional successes in obtaining the suddenly much rarer seats with extra legroom.
Only a few older 737-300's and 500's have not been refitted. The 737-800's, were originally equipped with the thinner seats but at a larger pitch which most customers find sufficiently comfortable.
In this thread we discuss the wisdom of this decision, discuss whether it makes sense to switch carriers, commiserate, and celebrate our occasional successes in obtaining the suddenly much rarer seats with extra legroom.
[Wiki] Southwest's new "Evolve" interior adds 1 row, claims to preserve knee room
Jan 24, 2012, 8:28 am
#92
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Evergreen Park, IL
Posts: 1,384
Perhaps some FT'er could take current measurements(just the 700 series?) and post them here for future comparison purposes?
Row number, seat pitch, etal?
Alas, I have no chance of going on any trips for quite a bit or I would do it myself.
Row number, seat pitch, etal?
Alas, I have no chance of going on any trips for quite a bit or I would do it myself.
Jan 24, 2012, 10:29 am
#93
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
Ok, 2 questions about this:
1.
Can you say way more stories of Southwest denying seating to overweight passengers?! I mean, it's almost always a Southwest customer anyway... get ready for more of those ridiculous stories.
2. How does making the seat "thinner" allow for an extra row? Unless they mean "thinner" as in "less cushion". Or do they mean "less wide"?
1.
The new seats are thinner
2. How does making the seat "thinner" allow for an extra row? Unless they mean "thinner" as in "less cushion". Or do they mean "less wide"?
Jan 24, 2012, 10:53 am
#94
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
The width stays the same. Southwest is claiming that by reducing the thickness of the seat back and cushion, and changing slightly the seating position (all while reusing the existing seat frames) they've been able to maintain the personal space while reducing pitch by 1".
Color me skeptical.
Color me skeptical.
Jan 24, 2012, 10:59 am
#95
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
The width stays the same. Southwest is claiming that by reducing the thickness of the seat back and cushion, and changing slightly the seating position (all while reusing the existing seat frames) they've been able to maintain the personal space while reducing pitch by 1".
Color me skeptical.
Color me skeptical.
Jan 24, 2012, 11:17 am
#96
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: 21,624
Jan 24, 2012, 12:39 pm
#97
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Programs: HH Gold; AA AAdvantage Mbr; DL Skymiles Silver Medallion; World of Hyatt Mbr; NK Free Spirit Mbr
Posts: 2,531
Am I missing something here, or does the new seatback design not at least partially offset the lost inch of "pitch"? 
Jan 24, 2012, 2:22 pm
#100
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,512
Except many/most carriers opt for new seat FRAMES, as well. You don't recline backward into someone else's personal space, but rather slide forward into your own. You control your space instead of being at the whim of a dreaded recliner in front of you. Thinner cushions on old frames don't afford that advantage. And the new mesh pockets will still fill up with personal and proprietary accessories and impedimenta.
Jan 24, 2012, 2:31 pm
#101
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Programs: HH Gold; AA AAdvantage Mbr; DL Skymiles Silver Medallion; World of Hyatt Mbr; NK Free Spirit Mbr
Posts: 2,531
The relatively simple solution of moving the seatback pockets up should be a relatively inexpensive way for airlines to improve the quality of life onboard.
Jan 24, 2012, 3:01 pm
#102
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Tx
Programs: AA, UA, WN
Posts: 812
Wondering why more airlines don't adopt what Allegiant has done (at least on the flights I was on) and either adapt their current seats or replace when the time comes with seats that have the seatback pocket above the tray table instead of at knee level? I was expecting thin, hard seats on G4, but instead found large, plush seats with smart seatback design.
The relatively simple solution of moving the seatback pockets up should be a relatively inexpensive way for airlines to improve the quality of life onboard.
The relatively simple solution of moving the seatback pockets up should be a relatively inexpensive way for airlines to improve the quality of life onboard.
Honestly with 2 inch recline (why bother) WN should have just gone this route. I think most travelers won't notice as long as the relative pitch stays the same and the seats are comfy.
Jan 24, 2012, 3:45 pm
#103
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,461
Jan 25, 2012, 9:27 am
#104
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: SWA RR, CO One Pass, TAM Fidelidade, HA Miles, DL Skymiles, KLM Flying Blue
Posts: 1,165
I could have sworn I read somewhere that the first "new interior" aircraft is rolling out today.
If anyone happened to be on that plane, can you give us the "real" report instead of all these speculations, skeptics, etc.
That is all I have to say on this subject matters until I see a report back from a FTer.
If anyone happened to be on that plane, can you give us the "real" report instead of all these speculations, skeptics, etc.
That is all I have to say on this subject matters until I see a report back from a FTer.
Jan 25, 2012, 4:09 pm
#105
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,699