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4/14/2015 - Southwest Announcing New Seats

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Old Apr 13, 2015, 7:44 pm
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4/14/2015 - Southwest Announcing New Seats

Saw this on the official Southwest Twitter a short while ago. Speculation...?

https://twitter.com/southwestair/status/587786679118794752
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 7:50 pm
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Related to the upcoming devaluation perhaps?
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 7:54 pm
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The replies on Twitter are hilarious....
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 8:15 pm
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Seriously? It still looks like 3 across so its not going to be any sort of business seating. And 2 years after going slimline fleet wide? Gotta be some sort of marketing stupidity first and comfort second...
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 8:43 pm
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My guesses:

1) When working with BE Aerospace, improving our seating was our primary focus. The fact that these new fixed, solid backed seats allowed for 3 more rows of seats was a total shock.....

2) http://flightchic.com/2014/04/17/the...d-heavens-why/
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 8:56 pm
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Originally Posted by joepercussion1
Saw this on the official Southwest Twitter a short while ago. Speculation...?

https://twitter.com/southwestair/sta...86679118794752
Power outlets for electronics.
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 9:01 pm
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Originally Posted by Miami305
Related to the upcoming devaluation perhaps?
In step with the last devaluation, from 60 to 70 points per dollar, by 2016 all Southwest's aircraft will have 7 seats across rather than 6.
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 9:04 pm
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Originally Posted by nsx
in step with the last devaluation, from 60 to 70 points per dollar, by 2016 all southwest's aircraft will have 7 seats across rather than 6.
winner winner winner!!!
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 9:23 pm
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Didn't Southwest mention at some point that they were evaluating replacing the Evolve seat bottoms due to quicker wear than expected? I suspect something related to that, and/or coordination with the new livery color scheme.

Definitely no added legroom, or power ports.
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 9:25 pm
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My actual hope is that Southwest will announce Economy Plus seating for a premium fare, with space available upgrades for elites. However I doubt they have the software or gate agent and ops agent procedures to handle such a product any time soon.
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 9:48 pm
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Originally Posted by nsx
In step with the last devaluation, from 60 to 70 points per dollar, by 2016 all Southwest's aircraft will have 7 seats across rather than 6.
With one person in each row getting a lie flat seat by laying on the three passengers in those seats.
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 10:26 pm
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Probably just new "Heart" covers and the new bottom cushion that has already been alluded to.
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 11:33 pm
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I have no insight...but wouldn't it have to be some sort of business class product that might offer some hope of retaining high value business travelers that get +space +bags +cocktails +lounges +Europe/Hawaii redemptions on other carriers?

100% of the time that I fly a legacy in economy, I come away feeling that Southwest offers the better value proposition; BUT...

100% of the time that I fly a legacy in business/first, I wonder why the majority of my business goes to Southwest.

Surely there is a middle ground. Could these new seats be the key??
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Old Apr 13, 2015, 11:39 pm
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Originally Posted by steved5480
Power outlets for electronics.
Thought about it but no way, too much wiring/cost for 110v. Maybe USB power but only if they've figured out a way to add another row and get it up to 149? A row of backwards facing seats doesn't seem like a far fetched idea at this point.

Doubtful its going to be good for us!
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Old Apr 14, 2015, 12:08 am
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Originally Posted by Hot Pocket

Surely there is a middle ground. Could these new seats be the key??
No.

Seriously people. It's not going to be a business class. It's not going to be more leg room. It's not going to be power outlets. Those things are just not going to happen.

Southwest just spent a ton of money retrofitting their entire fleet with the Evolve interior. All this update will do is replace the seat cushions to address the wearability issues (and hopefully the comfort ones as well), and eventually bring the cabin interior scheme in line with the Heart livery exterior.

The timing and amplification of this otherwise relatively minor announcement is clearly meant to pull focus from discussion of this Friday's devaluation.
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