SWA rumor of new Accessibility boarding

[keishashadow]

https://www.southwest.com/customer-...55b79&src=MAILNOTTP369198#tier-benefits-chart

 

[keishashadow]

What I'm reading:

We should expect 1/3rd of seats on every plane to include extra legroom.

To make the switch:

SWA is switching the seats on its 175-person Boeing 737-800 plane for a skinnier seat

Will remove a row of seats on Boeing 737-700 planes.

SWA is waiting to receive final certification on its new cabin layouts from the FAS

actual retrofitting is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2025.

SWA also plans to implement larger overhead bins and double its Wi-Fi bandwidth.

 

[Angel Ariel]

What I'm reading:

We should expect 1/3rd of seats on every plane to include extra legroom.

To make the switch:

SWA is switching the seats on its 175-person Boeing 737-800 plane for a skinnier seat

Will remove a row of seats on Boeing 737-700 planes.

SWA is waiting to receive final certification on its new cabin layouts from the FAS

actual retrofitting is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2025.

SWA also plans to implement larger overhead bins and double its Wi-Fi bandwidth.

Skinnier seats? Lovely. As if they aren't already cramped. (And I'm a pretty average size person)

 

[LoveToDisney]

Skinnier seats? Lovely. As if they aren't already cramped. (And I'm a pretty average size person)

I think they might mean thinner seats.

 

[SueM in MN]

Skinnier seats? Lovely. As if they aren't already cramped. (And I'm a pretty average size person)

I think they might mean thinner seats.

It is thinner seats, not narrower.
I read an article near the beginning of the year on the redesign of their seats.
This isn't the article I read then, but it does show the new seats and redesign of the interior.
The article I read earlier mentioned the seats were designed by a company that makes seats for race cars and gaming. It also said the width would be preserved or increased by a redesign of the armrests - the armrests look narrower on the pictures.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It is thinner seats, not narrower.
I read an article near the beginning of the year on the redesign of their seats.
This isn't the article I read then, but it does show the new seats and redesign of the interior.
The article I read earlier mentioned the seats were designed by a company that makes seats for race cars and gaming. It also said the width would be preserved or increased by a redesign of the armrests - the armrests look narrower on the pictures.

Phew. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[iuki]

The only issue I see with having accessible boarding in the back, there may be some that may not be able to walk to the back of plane unaided. Between a cane and holding onto the seat backs, DH could manage but slow. He uses a rollator 98% of the time. Takes a short walk, under 10 ft with only cane.

I can’t walk very far due to chronic pain. I travel with my personal folding electric wheelchair. We don’t usually travel on SWA, but we always waited until the others get off. I too have seen “miraculous recoveries” on every flight we’ve taken on every airline. So disgusting.

 

[keishashadow]

Skinnier seats? Lovely. As if they aren't already cramped. (And I'm a pretty average size person)

That was a copy & paste from “an expert”.

I thought skinnier was an odd choice of words. Assume they meant smaller in depth, not width?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although it was helpful to have this information for most passengers, I wish Southwest would address the pre boarders-some of us will still have to be brought down the jetway via wheelchair to pre board. There's been speculation that pre boarders will still sit in the front, will all have to sit in the rear and wait for everyone else to off-load (I have my own thoughts on that, having gotten off to find all the wheelchairs gone as people before me see the wheelchairs and suddenly decide "That looks good!" even though they didn't "reserve" special assistance).

 

[Weedy]

Although it was helpful to have this information for most passengers, I wish Southwest would address the pre boarders-some of us will still have to be brought down the jetway via wheelchair to pre board. There's been speculation that pre boarders will still sit in the front, will all have to sit in the rear and wait for everyone else to off-load (I have my own thoughts on that, having gotten off to find all the wheelchairs gone as people before me see the wheelchairs and suddenly decide "That looks good!" even though they didn't "reserve" special assistance).

From what I understand it will be like the other airlines and you will pick your seat prior to your flight so you will have an assigned seat. The first few rows will be more expensive because the seats will have more leg room.
Even if you pre board you will still have the same seat.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I posted this in the SW thread on the transportation board...but here is the proposed layout of seats:

 

[dcfromva]

Here’s an update. No changes until 2026
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmon...ines-major-change-open-seating-free-bags.html

From your link: "The airline said it expects to begin selling assigned seats just like all other airlines in the second half of 2025 and launch flights under the new model in the first half of 2026."

They will start to re-do the cabins starting in 2025 and they expect the changes to be done by 2026.

Speculation is
Jan-Jun 2025. No change in the current procedures. There may be some cabins with the new configuration in service.

Jun 2025-Jan 2026. Advance seat assignments will cost $$. I'm not sure how they will deal with the old and new cabins--maybe there will be an interim pricing structure on the old cabins until they have the new interior? Also, I wonder if they will hold off releasing the schedule until they are ready to start charging for seats?

Jan 2026--Conversion complete on the entire fleet. I'm not holding my breath, though -LOL. They debuted the seat back recharge ports in May 2023 and I have only flown on 2 acft (recently) out of about 50 flights that I have taken since it was announced. But, they have more incentive to finish up the new cabin changes as it expected to result in more revenue. So who knows?

 

[dcfromva]

I just looked this up-
"We are currently accepting air reservations through June 4, 2025.
On October 24, 2024, we will open our schedule for sale through August 4, 2025. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently."

I wonder if we will see any changes for the next schedule release?

 

[EACarlson]

I just looked this up-
"We are currently accepting air reservations through June 4, 2025.
On October 24, 2024, we will open our schedule for sale through August 4, 2025. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently."

I wonder if we will see any changes for the next schedule release?

NO, you won't, the post directly above lays out exactly what they hope the process to be. They hope to start selling the assigned seats in 2H2025 for flights beginning in 2026. No chance it happens before then, and I'm fairly skeptical they will have everything ready to go before Spring Break 2026.

 

[Lewisc]

NO, you won't, the post directly above lays out exactly what they hope the process to be. They hope to start selling the assigned seats in 2H2025 for flights beginning in 2026. No chance it happens before then, and I'm fairly skeptical they will have everything ready to go before Spring Break 2026.

Some peope speculate assigned seats could be in effect for 3 or 4Q 2015.

SW could start charging for assigned seats prior to new cabin configuration BUT extra legroom seats will $$$. Will the revenue from assigning regular seats be enough to offset lost EBCI revenue?

I agree with your conclusion. Waiting until most of the fleet has been reconfigured, 2026, is likely

 

[Lewisc]

It is thinner seats, not narrower.

The frame is thinner, AND a lot of the padding is gone. Think of seating in some doctors office. Airlines say the new seats are ergonomically designed. They say most passenger are comfortable. That suggests up to 49% aren't comfortable. I bring.a memory foam seat cushion

 

[leebee]

So preferred seats are the same as standard seats, just closer to the front of the plane?

 

[FreeTime]

So preferred seats are the same as standard seats, just closer to the front of the plane?

Yes. Behind extended and mixed in with exit row extended followed by more extended.

 

[SteveMouse]

The seat pitch is going to be key. If they increase the pitch from what’s in place today, they will need to reduce the number of rows.

 

[EACarlson]

The seat pitch is going to be key. If they increase the pitch from what’s in place today, they will need to reduce the number of rows.

Some will see increased pitch of about 4 inches, most will see one inch reduced pitch, and the same number of overall seats on the plane. They claim that the inch of pitch reduction won't be felt as they are changing to a slimmer seat.