RUMOR: Debut Of New WN Seats Tomorrow 04/14

SXDFC · Tue Apr 14, 2015 2:44 am

Hello All:

Rumor has it that tomorrow WN will unveil its new seat design. For quite some time now there have been a row of BE Aerospace seats with a drape over it. I am guessing this design goes along with the rumored bottom cushion alteration, and a design to blend in with the new "Heart" livery. As of now I am not sure if there will be any new carpeting or bulkheads to match with it. I am also not sure which A/C these seats will make its debut on as well.

KFLLCFII · Tue Apr 14, 2015 2:48 am

As long as they still recline, I don't care what they look like.

glbltrvlr · Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:04 am

Didn't they just put in all new slimline seating?

Byrdluvs747 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:11 am

Unless WN is debuting a new F seat, I dont see any reason to be excited about Y.

usair330 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:19 am

Maybe Tv's in the seat backs?

AS739BSI · Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:43 am

Quoting usair330 (Reply 4):

If it was powerports, that would be nice. Especially since you can already BYOD onboard and typically the satellite TV is sponsored by someone typically.

TWA772LR · Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:51 am

I think its a matter of time WN adds some kind of Y+, or even a first class.

swacle · Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:17 am

In today's ATA Smartbrief there was a sort article stating that WN would be unveiling a new IFE package at the Paris Airshow. I am sure whatever is under that tarp includes said IFE upgrades.

airliner371 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:57 am

I'm very excited to see what the seats look like and what they have (IFE wise) in them.

Hoping for a Y+ seat. I like the BYOD IFE, but power ports would go well with that so hoping for that too.

Overall, these seats, in addition to added comfort, will probably look more modern, hopefully moving away from "tan" seats and more towards a modern maybe black seat (ala B6 and VX). If not that, definitely seat cushions to match the heart look. And the bulkheads will likely finally get the new Southwest Heart logo.

Also, maybe Southwest will launch Sky Interior retrofits on the -700s with the new Space Bins. This is speculation and not based on any factual knowledge but things I think would help improve the inflight experience.

Here is an article on the pending announcement... http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....-maybe-something-more-interesting/

bpat777 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 6:38 am

WN appears to be good at keeping things quiet shortly before it's released to the public.

airliner371 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 1:15 pm

Seats have adjustable headrests, are wider, blue and will be on all new aircraft delivered beginning some time in 2016. Also includes new bulkhead look.

http://www.swamedia.com/presskits/so...airlines-new-aircraft-seat?l=en-US

SunsetLimited · Tue Apr 14, 2015 1:20 pm

No in seat power, though. Disappointing. Even the much maligned UA has in seat power on its new 737 seats.

airliner371 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 1:25 pm

Another interesting part, "The newly-designed seats, which will be seen on new 737-800s beginning mid-2016 join other significant brand milestones, including cabin interior updates on Southwest's 737-700s which will begin later this year, and continued 737-800 deliveries in the new Heart livery."

So they will be updating evolve on the -700s. My guess is with new cushions, seat covers and bulkheads, but the same seat frame.

INFINITI329 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 1:38 pm

Quoting airliner371 (Reply 12):
So they will be updating evolve on the -700s. My guess is with new cushions, seat covers and bulkheads, but the same seat frame.

What a waste of money, these cabins were just updated.

glbltrvlr · Tue Apr 14, 2015 1:55 pm

Quoting airliner371 (Reply 10):
http://www.swamedia.com/presskits/so...airlines-new-aircraft-seat?l=en-US

These look like the ultra slim Hawaiian seats. Wonder if they plan on shoehorning in another row or two?

stxbohn · Tue Apr 14, 2015 2:07 pm

B/E Aerospace slimlines - they look extremely similar to the UA ones on the 739 fleet which to me, are passable.

Thank goodness they didn't go that Recaro route...

jetblue1965 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 2:39 pm

Quoting stxbohn (Reply 15):
B/E Aerospace slimlines - they look extremely similar to the UA ones on the 739 fleet which to me, are passable.

Thank goodness they didn't go that Recaro route...

Recaro ones are atrocious. They're okay for 1 hour hops between SFO and LAX, but UA is deploying those planes on 6 hour transcons ... urgh

glbltrvlr · Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:27 pm

Quoting jetblue1965 (Reply 16):
Recaro ones are atrocious.

Wait until these become the standard:

http://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/201...use-of-slimline-seats-makes-sense/

jetblue1965 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:29 pm

Quoting glbltrvlr (Reply 17):

Wait until these become the standard:

http://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/201...use-of-slimline-seats-makes-sense/

gaaa ... let's save the horror for halloween films

res77W · Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:05 pm

Quoting airliner371 (Reply 10):

How much wider? Aren't the seats currently around 17"? I didn't think anything wider could fit in a 737

burnsie28 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:44 pm

Quoting glbltrvlr (Reply 17):
Wait until these become the standard:

You mean how they are going to be on HA (domestic), Spirit, and Frontier who have all ordered that seat. Jet2 uses them on TATL.

Lastly, the seats in the image are pitched to 28"

OA412 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:59 pm

Quoting res77W (Reply 19):
How much wider? Aren't the seats currently around 17"? I didn't think anything wider could fit in a 737

Probably thinner armrests.

MSPNWA · Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:17 pm

Winged headrests are a nice upgrade. But I really would like to see in-seat power. The streaming IFE is great, and power is the one thing I want most to upgrade WN's hard product. And thinner armrests? I'd rather have wider, actually comfortable armrests again instead of the the new, hard versions out there.

29erUSA187 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:27 pm

Quoting res77W (Reply 19):

They certainly looked thinner than normal in the picture!

diverdave · Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:31 pm

Quoting SunsetLimited (Reply 11):
No in seat power, though. Disappointing. Even the much maligned UA has in seat power on its new 737 seats.

This. Something that the business traveler values when stuck using his/her company issued craptop on travel.

David

INFINITI329 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm

How much weight would adding in seat power add to an aircraft more specifically the 737/8 ?

pasu129 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:55 pm

Source: Southwest Image Library

Not a bad design, and probably most comfortable for the WN routes.

SWADawg · Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:55 pm

I don't think that they want to add in seat power because of the added complexity of the wiring and because Maintenance has said that they are concerned with the increased threat of a potential inflight Fire ala Swissair 103. This has also been sighted as to why WN doesn't want to add inseat TV's. I personally wish that they would add both PTV's as well as inseat power, but I'm not holding my breath.

MaverickTTT · Tue Apr 14, 2015 6:39 pm

Quoting SWADawg (Reply 27):
...because Maintenance has said that they are concerned with the increased threat of a potential inflight Fire ala Swissair 103...

Seriously? Sounds like WN MX trying to avoid additional work. How many aircraft are flying around out there with in-seat power these days that haven't caused a fire?

If they move forward with no in-seat power (at least USB for small devices), I think WN will regret it down the line.

ODwyerPW · Tue Apr 14, 2015 6:41 pm

Quoting airliner371 (Reply 12):
So they will be updating evolve on the -700s. My guess is with new cushions, seat covers and bulkheads, but the same seat frame.

All the previous upgrades used the existing EvolutionII seat frames
My understanding was that this seat was new.... yielding a seat width of 17.8" , pushing the seat rows farther out to make the room.

Regarding pitch, probably took advantage of the exercise to further reduce pitch as well.

They need to use something different for the Max200.

Ugly color though... I quite like the Café color of the existing seats.

[Edited 2015-04-14 11:44:29]

QANTAS747-438 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 6:42 pm

Quoting SWADawg (Reply 27):
and because Maintenance has said that they are concerned with the increased threat of a potential inflight Fire ala Swissair 103.

Every other airline on earth seems to be doing just fine with it! I'm shocked there's no power outlet or USB port. It was their big chance to put those in. The lack of a charger is one of the biggest complaints I get from paxs.

CPDC10-30 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 6:57 pm

Looks almost the same as the new BA shorthaul seats. They are comfortable enough but the seat pitch is horrible - hope WN doesn't do the same:

Deltabravo1123 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 8:27 pm

So according to Southwest's website they will make their debut on the 737 MAX. Are they not refitting the -700s or -800s? They look comfortable, but I personally loved the tan coloring of the previous seats... I wish they would have incorporated that somehow into these new seats, or another color of some sort. If feel like so many airlines are going with plain blue seats nowadays.

XT6Wagon · Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:25 pm

Quoting QANTAS747-438 (Reply 30):

While I agree power would be nice, devices are getting massive gains in battery life every year.

So by the time this seat is in service, its almost certain that a new tablet or smartphone will do an entire 737 max range trip without needing charged... even with processor/gpu heavy demands.

I support WN keeping things simple. PTV is a great way to create unhappness when its not working properly, while having minimal positiive effect when its working. Power plugs are much the same, just less dramatic in opinions created.

SXDFC · Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:33 pm

Quoting deltabravo1123 (Reply 32):
So according to Southwest's website they will make their debut on the 737 MAX. Are they not refitting the -700s or -800s?

They will be making their debut on the 737-800s being delivered in 2016.

IMHO like many others, these seats should incorporate USB ports. Many other airlines, including the RJs have them in the seats. What good is offering, charging for wifi when your device is out of juice?

Lastly, I hope the seats and carpet withstand to the wear and tear more than the Evolve did.

B737900ER · Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:35 pm

It looks like the new UA seat. But thinner

Quoting SWADawg (Reply 27):

Most airlines have 600+ aircraft flying around with power ports and PTVs and after hundreds of thousands of flights ISP hasn't been a problem

Quoting MaverickTTT (Reply 28):

Sounds like WN doesn't want to spend the money, since they outsource that work anyway.

QANTAS747-438 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 10:15 pm

These new seats oddly resemble the AirTran ones. Hmmm...

airliner371 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 10:38 pm

I'm interested to see the improvements they will be making to the -700s later this year.

Quoting CPDC10-30 (Reply 31):
Looks almost the same as the new BA shorthaul seats.

Quoting QANTAS747-438 (Reply 36):
These new seats oddly resemble the AirTran ones. Hmmm...

This is a whole new seat not on any other airline yet.

kl838 · Tue Apr 14, 2015 10:58 pm

The seat looks good, but the colour is something that puts me off, I think this is the same seat as AF on their medium haul Airbus aircraft. Yet the colour scheme with AF was a lot more classy, I am so tired of that horrible blue, even on DL aircraft as well.

Rdh3e · Tue Apr 14, 2015 10:58 pm

Quoting airliner371 (Reply 37):
This is a whole new seat not on any other airline yet.

They look identical to the seats UA has been rolling out. So what did B/E change to make this "a whole new seat".

737tdi · Tue Apr 14, 2015 11:23 pm

Quoting MaverickTTT (Reply 28):
Seriously? Sounds like WN MX trying to avoid additional work.

Actually this is quite the opposite. As a mech. I can tell you that the more in house maintenance we have is a direct correlation to the number of mechanics that are employed and greater seniority/bid locations. Remember, when "Maintenance" is mentioned it is not necessarily speaking of mechanics but the maintenance program as a whole.

As far as the new seats, reading the info. we have it is a completely new seat, it may look like others but must have some differences for the company to say this.

Now to the discussion of in seat power/IFE. Just a small input about wiring, you would not believe the number of delays that used to be caused by the Grimes floor lighting system prior to use of luminescent strips. Anytime you add more wiring to the cabin (especially) at floor level there will be maintenance issues. This is not hard to repair but is it worth it if you take an originator delay due to the system and make that aircraft late for the rest of the day's legs. Aircraft originates in DAL at 0600 and should terminate in SEA at 2230, how many customers are now mad at you because of power ports? All things on aircraft break but if you add another system it adds to the possibility. I would love to have it because I do fly a lot but it just isn't a necessity the way it has been stated above. JMO.

chrisair · Tue Apr 14, 2015 11:33 pm

Quoting 737tdi (Reply 40):
Just a small input about wiring, you would not believe the number of delays that used to be caused by the Grimes floor lighting system prior to use of luminescent strips.

IIRC the floor lights were a no go item. AS occasionally dispatches planes with inop power ports, so I'd assume it'd be similar on WN.

That being said, I agree with you about the customer experience when the power ports are broken. From my own experience on Alaska, it's a real annoyance--especially since planes with inop power ports and inop wifi are following me around this year.

737tdi · Wed Apr 15, 2015 1:03 am

Quoting chrisair (Reply 41):
IIRC the floor lights were a no go item. AS occasionally dispatches planes with inop power ports, so I'd assume it'd be similar on WN.

Yes, you are right, the lights were a no-go if inoperative. Remember that a discrepancy is only deferrable if you know the cause of the failure, or you necessarily inop. the whole system. I don't really know how it would work if you had a single row/single seat inop., is the problem a frayed wire or just a bad port?? I would guess maybe there is a way to defer/deactivate one seat row?? As I said above I would LUV to see power ports but it is up to much greater minds then mine, LOL.

n7371f · Wed Apr 15, 2015 3:30 am

What wimpy announcement by Southwest. Most people with skin in the game were hoping the announcement involved ridding the Evolve seats.

freakyrat · Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:36 am

Just experienced the Delta seats on one of their MD90's. They are actually pretty nice. As far as the former Airtran seats go, they pretty much sucked for comfort.

pfletch1228 · Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:12 am

Is this a customer specific build of the B/E Pinnacle seat or is it a whole new seat? Looks awefully similar to the B/E Pinnacle seats installed on the UA 737 fleet and DL A320/A330/B739/B757 retrofitted fleets...

If it is the same seat, and they maintain the current pitch (32-33in), it will be VERY comfortable. The Pinnacle seats are amongst the most comfrotable of the slim line seats out there!

[Edited 2015-04-15 04:14:04]

tortugamon · Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:38 pm

Quoting OA412 (Reply 21):
Probably thinner armrests.

That is exactly what they have done. It doesn't really mean that they are giving you more room in my opinion.

Quoting XT6Wagon (Reply 33):
While I agree power would be nice, devices are getting massive gains in battery life every year.

On the other hand we are bringing more devices with us on-board so there is more potential need.

I don't think in seat power is essential for WN because their average flight is shorter than the big 3. Power at the gates so everyone can get charged up would be a nice thought and would cover it.

tortugamon

jetblue1965 · Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:48 pm

Quoting pfletch1228 (Reply 45):

If it is the same seat, and they maintain the current pitch (32-33in), it will be VERY comfortable. The Pinnacle seats are amongst the most comfrotable of the slim line seats out there!

Agreed. At least UA made *one* good choice.

The Recaro seats on the 32X are like park benches, and the PMCO seats on their 737s are like church pews.

DDR · Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:25 pm

I'm not crazy about the look of the seats from the front, but the picture from the back makes the cabin look pretty damn good in my opinion. And I'll jump on the bandwagon and agree that in 2015 it's lame not to have power ports. When fares are the same, this may keep people off of WN.

Tugger · Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:36 pm

Quoting DDR (Reply 48):
And I'll jump on the bandwagon and agree that in 2015 it's lame not to have power ports. When fares are the same, this may keep people off of WN.

One thing I will say about "power at the seat" is that the underseat "box" that is required for it is really annoying and takes up legroom/footspace. Just flew on Alaska and found this out.

While I do agree that power ports, even just USB ones, are something that would be really appreciated. And I am thinking if it were just USB power perhaps the box could be significantly smaller?

Tugg

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