Leg Room on Southwest

[Ted and Holly]

How is the leg room and seat size on Southwest??? Their websites claim it is roomy...

Holly P

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Yes, it is roomy. I am tall and so is my s/o. We both have more than enough leg room, also, the seats seem wider.

 

[pbhunt]

There is little or no leg room on Southwest. You must also pray very hard that the person in front of you doesn't try to recline his seat either, because there is very little face room. But, its cheap, and you get to the same place that a much more expensive ticket would take you. Roomy compared to what Gail?

 

[Disnydad]

I have not noticed any difference between Southwest, Delta or US Air.

 

[grumpyandbashful]

We flew SW in June, and I thought the seats were more comfortable and there was more legroom than on Delta Express. I'm 5'11' and normally my knees hit the back of the seat in front of me, but on SW there was more room.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

PBhunt,
Compared to delta express.
I have a 32" inseam (long legs) and my s/o has a 34" inseam, we have more that enough room to stretch our legs (well at least more than Delta). I rarely bump my legs on the seat behind even if they do recline (which btw, does not bother me as it brings the table closer for me ).
I find the seats are wider than Delta also, not that Dee or I need it. Neither he or I are what you would call "big seat needers".
I was told one of the reasons they don't have drink carts is because the aisle is more narrow because the seats are wider.
Trust me, I would assume the fetal position for the airfare I just got. 75.00 per person r/t, ns, from Hartford to Orlando.

 

[pbhunt]

I'm 5'8", and DH is 6'1", we are not plus sized folks. When the person on Southwest reclines his seat (sorry, but it's always a guy), it hits my knees, and is too close to my face. I'm an avid book reader, so the problem might be that I can't get my book out far enough out to read. (this might be age related, I'm 43).

However, I will concede to the majority, that states there is enough room on Southwest planes BTW, has anyone flown on a Southwest flight with the new refurbished, remodeled interiors? How are they??

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

PB,
We are approx. the same height as are our respective male units. I am also an avid book reader and crossword doer (I like that word) and find that when the male (yep it always seems so) reclines, it makes it easier to read. I wear lineless bifocals and the closeness makes it easier on my eyes. Yes, it is age related in my case and we don't need to go there, ok. LOL
I have flown on the planes without the seats that face each other and the leg room and seat room is just fine. Not sure if that was the answer you were looking for.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Thanks for all the replies.

Holly was asking because the only airline we have flown in recent memory was Pan Am. They have 727's that they claim they took seats out of to make them more roomy. When we flew last time, we sat on an emergency exit row. There was a good foot in front on my knees. Of course, we also sat in the row between the two exit rows, where the seat in front of you is touching your knees the whole time.

Gail, could you explain the comment about planes with seats that face each other?

Has anyone flown the Pan Am 727's recently that has flown the Southwest 737's?

Ted

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

In some of the SWA planes they have seats that back the bulkhead facing the back of the plane and the next row is facing those seats. From what I have heard, they are removing those. But, that will take time and I am sure there are still some of those 737s in the air with that seat config.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Thanks for all the info! I guess we'll have to wait to find out how well the seats in SWA fit for us, but your comments have been very helpful!

Holly P

 

[denisenh]

ted and holly....you may be interested to know that the arm rest between the seats can flip up to fit between the seat backs so that gives you a good wide seat. I can only recall this on SWA because that is the airline I use these days...maybe all airlines/ planes have this feature.
I also agree that when the person ahead of you reclines the seat it is a bit closer to me than I would like but it doesn't bother me enough to be a big deal. I just sit there and day dream anyway.

 

[olena]

I know what you mean about people reclining on you.....especially for a quick flight. I mean....c'mon. I do have to admit though, I have a VERY sensitive nose and severe allergies. It always seems the person in front of me goes heavy on the cologne or smoked a pack and a half in the lounge prior to boarding. My nose starts running and I start sneezing, of course covering my sneeze. Boy, that seat goes up quick!

 

[Ted and Holly]

Denise, yes, any plane I have ridden in has had the arm rest that can be moved out of the way. But, we usually end up fighting over the arm rest anyway.

When the person in front of me reclines, I end up coming up with a mysterious coughing fit. They quickly bring the seat back up and my coughing stops.

Ted