I recently flew on one of the newly refitted SWA planes, the ones with nice leather seats. I did not find them any smaller or the leg room diminished.
Actually, if you go to the SWA site, they give a pretty nice description of how much room there is. I will say that, while the seats are nice, they are sort of dark and do give the appearance of being smaller.
More Leg Room
We would like to dispel the myth that our airline is, perhaps, cramming more seats into our airplanes. Southwest is actually working hard to provide you with more room in each "edition" of the 737 that we have ordered. You see, even though most of our flights are short, your comfort is still of the utmost importance to us. That is why, when we designed our aircraft interiors, we worked hard at maintaining a comfortable distance or pitch7 between your seat and the seat in front of you. The chart below shows the number of seats in each Boeing 737 model we fly as compared to the number of seats that airplane would hold if we were less concerned with your comfort. It will also give you an idea of what you can expect in terms of leg room.8
Model
Maximum
Capacity Southwest
Capacity Average
Pitch
737-700*
149
137
33.25
737-500
132
122
32.57
737-300
149
137
32.36
737-200
132
122
32
*The 737-700 is the newest addition to our fleet, and we have lots more on the way. This beautiful new airplane not only flies quieter, farther, and more fuel efficiently, it is roomier. Our 700 seats are pitched at 33-34 inches (and even farther apart at exit rows); but, when we designed its beautiful new interior, we removed the cabin dividers and selected an innovative new seat design. So, when you fly on one of our newer planes, you will actually feel like your seat is pitched at 35 or more inchesthe same amount of space in the first- and business-class sections on some airlines! Our 700s have more overhead bin space, too!
Comfort Has a New Feel!
On the dawn of our 30th year, Southwest gives a salute to our past and a toast to our future with a fresh new look-a bird of a different color. On January 16, 2001, we proudly unveiled the look that launches us into the new millennium. Inspired by a canyon sunrise and dedicated to our loyal Customers, Canyon Blue was added to Southwest's traditional gold, red, and orange colors. Beauty, however, is more than skin deep. The interiors of our 737s also are new. The Canyon Blue will team with Saddle Tan in Southwest's new all-leather seating configuration. Brushed aluminum surfaces, deep blue carpet, and newly designed windscreens complete a comfortable interior look and feel for Customers, which calms the mind and comforts the body.
