SW vs. US Airways -- Seat room

[cjsmom5]

Just curious if anyone has recently used both carriers. I am just wondering is one has about the same amount of room between rows and the same amount of space for storage with each seat -- as on SW. One time we took what was America West and it seemed that there was less room. We will be on an airbus.

 

[bavaria]

see www.seatguru.com for specifc seat pitch information

 

[iluvflorida8]

Southwest "hands down" has more seat and leg room.

 

[bavaria]

Southwest "hands down" has more seat and leg room.

according to www.seatguru.com US Airways seat pitch for A319 and A320 and A321 is 32 inches; SW 737 is 32-33 inches

seat width on US Airways is 18 inches while SW is 17 inches

So I would beg to differ about the 'hands down' claim about space....

 

[cjsmom5]

Bavaria
When I went to the link you gave me that is what I found out. So, I was thinking that the seats are just a tad bit wider with about the same space between rows. I'm not quite sure what they mean by pitch but that is what I was thinking after looking at the site. For some reason, though, I was thinking that SW had more space ... but this says something different.

iluvflorida8 -
May I ask why you say this -- initially I was thinking this was the case but when I look at the measurements that are at seatsguru.com they seem to say that is not the case. Have you been on either recently? It has been way too long since we were on an America West/US Airways to be able to make any comparison. We were just on SW in December.

Thanks to both of you for your thoughts. I appreciate it.

Any other thoughts on this from all you seasoned travelers out there?

 

[bavaria]

Seat pitch refers to the 'space' between rows. For example, United has 36 inches in Economy Plus, which means extra space bwn the rows.

You may also want to check the pitch/width for America West planes - they are 17.2 inches and 30-32 inches.

Safetymom or DebbieB can probably tell you if the aircraft still fly their 'old' routes ie if the AmericaWest planes still fly LAS, PHX, etc and US Air PHL, CLT, etc.

So overall SW is only going to give more room than the smallest seat pitches on some of the US Air Airbus planes.

Also, seat maps vary for each aircraft/airline. For example, Air Canada may configure the interior of a A319 differently than United, so there is more room in United.

Confused?

Overall, one inch isn't going to make much difference either way. It's when you get to the 4-5 inch difference with United Economy Plus seat pitch that you see a difference

 

[DebbieB]

I've flown both in the past 3 months and overall would guess they are about equal. On either, the best spot in coach is the exit row (if you don't have kids under 15).

I've found 737's in general are more cramped than the Airbus. I fly USAirways frequently for work and always look for an Airbus flight (they are usually newer than their 737's). One USAirways plane that is really great is the Embraer 170, 2 seats on each side, 72 seats total.

 

[bavaria]

I told you she'd know....

For US Airways it's DebbieB and Safetymom; for United I am happy to help!

 

[DebbieB]

I told you she'd know....

For US Air it's DebbieB and Safetymom; for United I am happy to help!

I haven't been to the airport in over 2 weeks, I don't know how to act.... Nothing scheduled until the end of January, although I think that will change when I go back to work tomorrow.

 

[cjsmom5]

I love these boards ... everyone is helpful!

Thanks barvaria and DebbieB. At least I'm not as confused as I was when I started. The info you've given me is wonderful and very valuable.

I love those exit row seats but in this case, there are 9 of us -- four of which are kids -- so the exit row isn't an option. We only have 8 more years and then we can think about exit rows.

DebbieB --like you said --from all things considered I don't think we will notice the difference. Our flight is an Airbus.

We have tried to arrange our group so that the couple kids that might kick seats will be kicking our seats and not another person's (nothing more bothersome than having the back of your seat kicked for 4 hours). I remember those days when I didn't travel with kids and try to be considerate of others. Having the assigned seats with America West/US Airways is a nice thing, especially with 9 of us traveling. Of course, we are crossing our fingers that our 7:23am flight isn't full ... it doesn't seem to be the popular flight as there is another one shortly after 9 or so, I think. Our other flight -- to Orlando --is filling up -- but in one case there is just a window seat left in one of our rows. My DH has a seat directly behind one of our other ones as it gets way tight if someone puts their seat back --in this instance -- we know that and won't put our seat back. Way too much planning goes into traveling with a group of 9 --- makes my head spin.

Thanks to both of you, though. The info is so very welcome. I appreciate it.

 

[bavaria]

I haven't been to the airport in over 2 weeks, I don't know how to act.... Nothing scheduled until the end of January, although I think that will change when I go back to work tomorrow.

I'm going OT, but LUCKY! I think that I was the only business traveller on all my flights Dec 17, 23, 27, and 31st.... sigh...

 

[bavaria]

Thanks to both of you, though. The info is so very welcome. I appreciate it.

You're welcome! Sounds like you planned the seating well; just remember that nothing is guaranteed ie aircraft/schedule/seating changes, but hopefully that won't happen

 

[cjsmom5]

Ah yes ... the wonderful airline changes. Since it is March I am hoping we are safe. Always, though, a call to the airline four hours ahead serves us well. That said, you know here in Phoenix, if it sprinkles they shut down the airport (LOL) nevermind a blizzard or anything. ... all it takes here is a little rain! Or so it seems sometimes.

I bet you were the only business traveler on those December days ... we avoid the airports that time of year and try to travel in what is considered "off season" as things seem to go much more smoothly. It used to be that way on Thanksgiving Day but anymore -- it has become a popular day to travel. Thus -- we are changing next year to go end of Sept/early October -- that way we can travel with all the business travelers.

 

[iluvflorida8]

luvflorida8 -
May I ask why you say this -- initially I was thinking this was the case but when I look at the measurements that are at seatsguru.com they seem to say that is not the case. Have you been on either recently? It has been way too long since we were on an America West/US Airways to be able to make any comparison. We were just on SW in December.

Thanks to both of you for your thoughts. I appreciate it.

Any other thoughts on this from all you seasoned travelers out there?

I have flown US Airways a lot and I fly Southwest at least 3x a month the last 18 months. The leather seats of Southwest puts the US Airways seats to shame for comfort. And I still say you have more legroom on Southwest without a doubt.

 

[cjsmom5]

Thanks for the info. Our flight is being operated by America West so it will be interesting to see if they are the same as US Air -- as I recall America West seats were a bit different than US Airways.

I notice you are in Vero Beach -- we will be there in March to go to Dodgertown for a couple days -- that is our primary reason for our March trip to Florida. We are staying at the new Country Inn and Suites -- so that will be a new experience for us, too, as in the past we have stayed at Dodgertown. We will have all kinds of "new" experiences this year as it will be the first trip on America West/US Airways for us, too.

Appreciate all the input --everyone!

 

[iluvflorida8]

I notice you are in Vero Beach -- we will be there in March to go to Dodgertown for a couple days -- that is our primary reason for our March trip to Florida. We are staying at the new Country Inn and Suites -- so that will be a new experience for us, too, as in the past we have stayed at Dodgertown. We will have all kinds of "new" experiences this year as it will be the first trip on America West/US Airways for us, too.

Appreciate all the input --everyone!

Our house is 3 miles from Dodgertown. If you want any tips on restaraunts just give me an e-mail(ncligs1@aol.com) before your trip. I will be out of town the week of March 13-20th.

I have 2 brothers that live in Phoenix One lives in Peoria and the other lives in Buckeye. In fact my wife and I are flying out to Phoenix Martin Luther King weekend for 4 days to visit them.

 

[DebbieB]

I have flown US Airways a lot and I fly Southwest at least 3x a month the last 18 months. The leather seats of Southwest puts the US Airways seats to shame for comfort. And I still say you have more legroom on Southwest without a doubt.

I've found some rows have a little more room than others, even on the same model of plane. I was in row 5 on a trip to CA last month and it seemed really cramped for an airbus. I moved to row 6 for the trip home (changed on online check-in) and it seemed a little better, plus I lucked out that no one was in the middle seat.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Anyone know if the smaller US Airways planes fly out of the smaller airports?? We'd love to travel out of Lehigh Valley/Allentown instead of Philly and then probably fly into Tampa instead of Orlando to get cheaper airfare.

 

[beccasmom]

I've found 737's in general are more cramped than the Airbus. I fly USAirways frequently for work and always look for an Airbus flight (they are usually newer than their 737's). One USAirways plane that is really great is the Embraer 170, 2 seats on each side, 72 seats total.[/QUOTE]


I agree that the Airbus planes seem roomier. Otherwise, SWA seats are leather, which seems to make them more comfortable - for me, at least.

 

[NotUrsula]

I've flown USAir exactly once, about 6 years ago, so I can't comment on their seats. I just wanted to make a general observation on seat pitch.

Seat Pitch is the distance between the rows of seats and is measured from the back of one seat to the back of the seat behind, the measurements being taken from the same position on each seat. So far, so good, so measures on websites like seatguru are very helpful. However ... the thing that seat pitch charts tend not to tell you is how thick the seat cushions are. If the seating is older and the cushions are thicker, the usable distance from the front of one seat to the back of the one in front of it will be a bit less. The newer the seats, the thinner the seatbacks tend to be. Of course, squishiness also counts, but the foam only squishes so far.