Southwest Airlines is undergoing a significant overhaul including its aircraft interiors, part of which is introducing state-of-the-art new slimline R2 seats by Recaro. These move continues to spark debate among frequent flyers, particularly those traveling to and from Hawaii.
A key question is how these changes will impact comfort on long-haul flights to the islands.
New Recaro R2 Seats were just unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg. The latest German company seats, revealed in person for the very first time, are designed with customization unique to Southwest’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and are slated for delivery starting next year. This is the first time that Southwest will be partnered with Recaro, with current seats being from competitor Collins Aerospace. The seats feature several enhancements aimed at improving passenger experience, including:
- Multi-adjustable headrests for better support and comfort.
- Dual Cup Holders that accommodate right and left-handed passengers.
- Seatback device holders that facilitate easy use of personal electronics.
- USB-A and USB-C ports for in-seat charging.
As we’ve written about before, there are concerns about overall comfort in these oh-so-thin seats, particularly on long-haul flights to Hawaii. The seats are ultra lightweight, characteristics associated with space and fuel savings, but nothing that we think of in relation to improved comfort.
A primary concern among passengers in scores of comments relates to how these new seats fare on flights of five or more hours. Southwest’s existing seats are already criticized for being challenging in terms of comfort for long durations.
The introduction of thinner seats raises fears about reduced comfort despite the airline’s strong assurances of maintaining or increasing usability.
Where is assigned seating, premium seating, and perhaps more change?
Southwest seems to veer in opposition to the broader industry trend of adding more highly profitable and in-demand premium cabin options, at least for now. Their simplicity and affordability concept is still an evolving one in relation to the complexities and costs of adding at least some reserved seating, premium economy, or even first-class. All of these offerings are being widely rumored at this time.
New seats suggest something else is afoot at Southwest!
The addition of these new slim seats seems to say a shift towards the possibility of more segmented seating options and the possibility of Southwest adding any number of premium seating option in the near or long-term future.
Your recent comments about recent and proposed changes coming to Southwest.
- “It’ll be great to book an assigned seat with extra legroom for a cheaper price than other airlines that fly from Hawai’i to the mainland.”
- “I do fly SWA but not to Hawaii. I might consider it with a premium seat, a meal, legroom and a cocktail-if the price is right.”
- “The cattle call seating that was their unique feature is now a disaster. I recently booked a flight to the West coast on SWA, paid for biz class, then canceled and booked a flight on Hawaiian. The only reason I did that was that I wasn’t willing to roll the dice on what kind of seats would be left after the shenanigans happening at the gate with preboard. It is ridiculous in some markets, and I am not willing to take the chance with a 6+ hour flight.”
- “We love everything about Southwest & book it whenever we can get a nonstop flight. Leg room distributed equally, boarding process, ability to bank canceled flight, 2 bags frees all unique to Southwest. No worries. Don’t change a thing!”
- “Southwest should stay the course. They have the best leg room than all airlines for standard seating. My knees never hit the seat in front of you. Love southwest.”
- “All in for these improvements and keeping the morning flights to the mainland.”
- “Factor into the options that the CEO stated the new option will not include curtains. Thus, special rows become a problem. I think reserved seating with middle empty plus special food and drinks for an increased fee is where they are headed.”
- “The new seats look really uncomfortable.”
- “SWA is absolutely not the most affordable airline with the best leg room/seat pitch/overall comfort flying in or out of the SF Bay Area.”
- “I do not fly SW to Hawaii ever!!! If they had premium seats and assigned seats I would consider it.”
For flights to Hawaii, comfort is paramount, therefore…
We would suggest that Hawaii flights are among those most in need of premium options. Not only that, but Hawaii routes are also ones where passengers have proven they are willing to pay extra for added comfort. Hawaii travelers endure long flight times that can reach up to six or more hours including delays, on-boarding and off-boarding.
Despite a plethora of attractive, modern amenities, these new Recaro seats might still fall short in providing the desired comfort for longer journeys.
It’s worth noting that Southwest has opted not to retrofit their existing aircraft with these new seats. Thus, passengers currently not satisfied with seating to Hawaii may have to endure the existing situation much longer than desirable.
Word from those who had the chance to experience the demo seats at the AIX conference in Hamburg was not universal in acceptance. So, while Southwest Airlines’ introduction of these new Recaro R2 seats marks a big shift in its approach to cabin design, and modern improvements, the core issues surrounding passenger comfort on long-haul flights to Hawaii remain unresolved.
As Southwest confirms that it is continuing to explore new seating configurations, in part made possible by these new thinner seats and the possibility of premium seating options, the future of the Southwest passenger experience will take some time to unfold.
Do changes coming to Southwest Hawaii flights make you more or less inclined to fly them to the islands?
Images courtesy of Tangerine.
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As new seats are installed, I expect SWA will add a premium seating/additional leg room product to the first 5 or 6 rows – and the two emergency exit rows.
This may resolve all of the “seat savers” and the numerous amount of fake cripples who gobble up the front rows.
This also allows SWA to “reward” their A-List and A-List Preferred members with those premium seats, as well as paid Business Select passengers. Any of the premium seats leftover on a given flight can be sold at the gate, or on the app.
With the increased pilot (44% raise by 2028) and flight attendant contract costs – SWA has to raise money/fees somehow.
The good news is, per the pilot bargaining agreement – no more added seats on board (except the MAX 7 increases to 150 seats). Probably tighter seating and less legroom to make-up for the added legroom premium seating.
We used to fly Hawaiian or Alaska. Our last trip was on SW. We thought it was as good as the rest. The last HA was on the new 321NEO and that did away with the Hawaiian touch. In fact, the SW flight attendants were more attentive than HA. The seats were great due to the legroom. I would have no problem flying them again. SJC – HNL – LIH – SJC.
Just remember what Southwest’s reps said at the conference…
“these are the most comfortable of all the options we presented them with”
give customers options of crap, more crap, – they are going to go with the better crap they can find.
Alaska Airlines at least came out and said they asked for the most heavily padded version of the Recaro seats.
Mike, without listing specifics, your claim is pretty outrageous and should not have been sent out by BOE.
How many people here who are commenting on Southwest have actually flown SWA to/from Hawai’i? For those of you commenting on either side of the issue, please enlighten us so we can make a better and well rounded decision.
Justin,
Great question. I think a lot of the negative comments are from those who hate to see any competition for HA (a company that will once again go bankrupt if the merger fails).
Like HA, my company is tons smaller than my largest competitors. So, I have to promote my strengths and not try to find some govt agency to threaten my big rivals.
BTW, we almost always fly HA to HNL – my wife likes the music. It’s a fine airline, but no better than the others I’ve flown. And always more expensive.
If you are that high maintenance when flying, southwest isn’t going to be for you. I fly it all the time and it is far and away always an easy experience. The seats are fine, love the A B C organized seating. If you know how it works it is pretty simple. Get in line in order. It’s not that hard. There is nothing confusing about it. Two free checked bags means you don’t have to listen to the gate agents threaten to take your bags from you at the gate. I hope they don’t change a thing. I fly all the airlines and I will always take a SW flight over United or American every time. Flights to Hawaii are still a bargain on SW, just booked my next trip for the Fall. Keep up the good work, Southwest! 🙂
Glad you actually made it back safe on a MAX
I would rather not go to Hawaii than fly on southwest, especially in those new plastic lawn chairs.
Ending and starting a trip with a miserable experience and dropping 5 figures in the middle? Nope.
Not to mention the lackluster maintenance performed on their aircraft. If I had to chose between Southwest and swimming, I’d start swimming now.
who cares about legroom when a thinner seat poses lower lumbar back pain. A minimum 6 hour flight from the mainland is probably 3 hours too long. Boarding fees up 400%. Now you know why. If one thing don’t give you a pain in the rear then it’s another. Just add another negative thing to the list. Maybe the added legroom is so your wallet slides out your back pocket with seat reclined so wallet is lost or left behind. Anyone thought of that?
Long flights to Hawaii, especially coming from Indianapolis with at least one layover—South West is not an option I will ever pick. I will pay more for an assigned first-class seat, which is more like Economy was 30 years ago. How I miss the widebody flights that used to fly direct from Chicago. A few may still exist, but pricing keeps me in the pseudo business/first class of the narrow-body flights. Booked 3 weeks for Sept/Oct just yesterday
We flew SWA HNL to OAKto Chicago Midway 21MAY. Two weeks prior I had flown AAL First Class HNL/PHX/ORD and back.
Having two medium sized kids, my wife and my 74″, 195lb self I was a bit concerned with legroom and seat comfort.
The plane we flew to Oakland, we deplaned in Oakland and got right back on it 55 minutes later for the leg to Midway. Plane was a four year old 737-8 MAX. No power in the seats. Again, we were a bit concerned.
We were wrong beyond comprehension. Seats were quite comfortable and I had more legroom than any other airline’s economy cabin, by an easy 1-2 inches.
We fly back to HNL in a few days. Looking forward to seeing if the return plane is as comfortable.
$550 roundtrip (plus taxes)
Not sure those SW seats can get anymore uncomfortable for me than they already are. I like the airline. Hate the seats…
Best regards
Just one more reason not to fly SW. It’s a cattle car with wings and always has been.
No assigned seating, no real food, terrible legroom, airport gate experience is total chaos. SW is really not the cheapest airline anymore, and just because they have no baggage fees doesn’t make them a bargin. SW is barely tolerable from from DFW to HOU, but will never be acceptable for long flights to Hawaii or anywhere else. Just my opinion, I’ll continue to pass on flying SW.
Wondering how folks with a larger girth will be able to handle a long haul. If the seats are narrower, less padded, and travelers are packed in like sardines, a flight to Hawaii sounds like a nightmare.
On my return trip I flew into LAS and RON’d. Flew out the next day. There were several very large passengers on the flight. 1 of them had purchased two seats. The others (man and wife) were wedged in the standard single seats. Looked less than comfortable. They did get to preboard though.
Best Regards
Slimline seating has come a long way. When they were first introduced a decade ago, the seat manufacturers really hadn’t worked out the ergonomics, and those seats were pure torture.
Today’s Recaro offerings are far more ergonomic, despite the lack of extra plush padding. I’ve had no problem enduring 7+ hours in a Recaro seats used by United.
We flew them last year to Kona for the first, and last time. Was a miserable experience to say the least. Almost solely due to the ridiculous cattle herd boarding process, which was compounded because it was done 4x due to stupid connections that aren’t experienced when we have flow Alaskan every trip prior. Leave Ontario, CA to Oakland. Disembark the plane to only re-board 40 minutes later the exact same plane. What sense did that make? Then the return was a joke and again, same connection process in Oakland, but this time we had to switch planes, but they announced “those that are continuing on to Houston, you can remain seated”… We didn’t get that luxury on the departing leg, so the inconsistencies really left a nasty taste.
The bottom line is that if you want to save money on a trip to Hawaii, Southwest is the way to go! The planes are safe. The flight attendants are usually friendly, and I’ve always been comfortable in their planes.
Their planes are not safe. I can tell you stories about the lack of proper maintenance performed on their aircraft
Mike G,
Please tell the stories so we can learn and make a better informed decision. Please cite references so we can ensure accuracy.
Mahalo!
Interesting comment in the article about future possible conjecture about a premium or even a “first class” cabin on SWA! I am a Flight Attendant of over 30 years, not with SWA. Although I could possibly see some type of premium cabin, a First Class cabin on SWA has zero chance, at best. Keep in mind their galleys, which I obviously have a ton of experience working in an airplane galley. There is Zero room in a SWA galley for additional supplies, like food and glassware. And, of the 800+ planes SWA flies, Zero have ovens, so the thought of having a hot meal is not going to happen. No way will SWA spend the money taking out seats to make a bigger galley.
Premium class, maybe, but First Class on SWA, never! That is not a SWA thing!
SWA is ok for flights of under 1.5 hrs…but when I go to Hawaii I want
comfort. My aging back doesn’t like seats which are not cushioned well, and a nice head/neck rest is a must. I’ll pay extra to fly on a plane that will get me there feeling well. The comfort of a seat sets the tone for the vacation.
These seats are for short or medium haul flights Which hawaii is not. Seems like a very uncomfortable trip.
I live part time in Hawaii and fly back and forth several times a year!
I only fly Southwest as I’m a baby boomer and don’t sleep on night flights! Love day flights on SW and I think their nice seats are wider and spacier than most airlines
BOE,
Without any other changes, how many additional seats will be possible with the Recaro seats?
Mahalo,
Rod
Hi Rod.
Perhaps up to two rows, max. But SW says they aren’t changing the seat pitch, which is part of what makes no sense.
Aloha.
Two more rows = a lot of revenue.
As to the pitch, perhaps they accomplish that by making each seat a tad shorter in the butt area.
Hope it works out. I don’t fly SWA much, but I’ve always had a good experience. One day, we may take SWA to Hawaii. For now, my wife wants HA because she says it’s more “Hawaiian.” I have enough Delta miles for First Class and I think I’ll burn them on one of my 2 upcoming flights to HNL.
Mahalo for the information!!!
Rod