WestJet to slim down seats on 737 fleet
Thread Starter
WestJet to slim down seats on 737 fleet
Good Afternoon All:
It seems that "Team Teal" wants to add another row of seats in thier B-737 fleet.
It has been a donkeys age since I have had a ride in the 737 and would appreciate anyones comments on what it is like let alone what all "slimmer" seats would be like to get another six passengers on board.
I could just imagine what a 200 seat version would look like!
From the Globe and Mail:
WestJet to slim down seats on 737 fleet
Greg Keenan
AIRLINE INDUSTRY REPORTER — The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Nov. 04 2014, 7:03 AM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Nov. 04 2014, 5:10 PM EST
The seats on WestJet Airlines Ltd. 737 planes will get thinner beginning next year and the airline will study the reaction of passengers to determine whether it will add another row of seats to its jets.
The industry wide trend toward slimmer seats – which are lighter and help cut fuel consumption – has sparked a backlash among some travellers, but WestJet chief executive officer Gregg Saretsky said the initial plan is to keep the seats the same distance apart and not add the extra row.
The introduction of the airline’s new slimline seats will effectively give travellers an extra inch of knee room, Mr. Saretsky said, with the 31-inch seat pitch (the distance between the seats) maintained.
The new seats will be combined next year with a new in-flight entertainment system.
“We’ll get a chance to see how our guests like the new configuration,” he said on a conference call with analysts and reporters Tuesday. “Our guests will get the appearance of having an extra inch of legroom and we’ll decide over time whether there’s a trade-off we should be making that gives guests even lower fares in exchange for taking that inch back.”
A survey of travellers conducted earlier this year by travel website TripAdvisor showed that 65 per cent of passengers find the slimline seats less comfortable than traditional airline seats. Another 7 per cent said the new seats are more comfortable, while 28 per cent could not tell the difference.
Mr. Saretksy said keeping fares down is a key focus for WestJet.
“Our guests are telling us and the market is showing us that guests want lower prices,” he said.
Keeping fares low is a smart tactical move, said industry consultant Robert Kokonis, who heads AirTrav Inc.
If the knee space feels the same, the in-flight entertainment options are better and fares stay low, “the total package is still a very strong overall product for the customers,” Mr. Kokonis noted.
Half the fleet of 737 jets will be converted to slimline seats next year and the other half in 2016, Mr. Saretsky said.
He made his comments on the airline’s third-quarter financial results conference call.
WestJet reported adjusted net profit of $85.4-million, up 31 per cent from the $65.1-million recorded a year earlier.
The third quarter was the 38th straight profitable quarter for the carrier, it said in filings with securities regulators.
The reduction in aviation fuel prices has been offset by the drop in the value of the Canadian dollar against its U.S. counterpart.
It seems that "Team Teal" wants to add another row of seats in thier B-737 fleet.
It has been a donkeys age since I have had a ride in the 737 and would appreciate anyones comments on what it is like let alone what all "slimmer" seats would be like to get another six passengers on board.
I could just imagine what a 200 seat version would look like!
From the Globe and Mail:
WestJet to slim down seats on 737 fleet
Greg Keenan
AIRLINE INDUSTRY REPORTER — The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Nov. 04 2014, 7:03 AM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Nov. 04 2014, 5:10 PM EST
The seats on WestJet Airlines Ltd. 737 planes will get thinner beginning next year and the airline will study the reaction of passengers to determine whether it will add another row of seats to its jets.
The industry wide trend toward slimmer seats – which are lighter and help cut fuel consumption – has sparked a backlash among some travellers, but WestJet chief executive officer Gregg Saretsky said the initial plan is to keep the seats the same distance apart and not add the extra row.
The introduction of the airline’s new slimline seats will effectively give travellers an extra inch of knee room, Mr. Saretsky said, with the 31-inch seat pitch (the distance between the seats) maintained.
The new seats will be combined next year with a new in-flight entertainment system.
“We’ll get a chance to see how our guests like the new configuration,” he said on a conference call with analysts and reporters Tuesday. “Our guests will get the appearance of having an extra inch of legroom and we’ll decide over time whether there’s a trade-off we should be making that gives guests even lower fares in exchange for taking that inch back.”
A survey of travellers conducted earlier this year by travel website TripAdvisor showed that 65 per cent of passengers find the slimline seats less comfortable than traditional airline seats. Another 7 per cent said the new seats are more comfortable, while 28 per cent could not tell the difference.
Mr. Saretksy said keeping fares down is a key focus for WestJet.
“Our guests are telling us and the market is showing us that guests want lower prices,” he said.
Keeping fares low is a smart tactical move, said industry consultant Robert Kokonis, who heads AirTrav Inc.
If the knee space feels the same, the in-flight entertainment options are better and fares stay low, “the total package is still a very strong overall product for the customers,” Mr. Kokonis noted.
Half the fleet of 737 jets will be converted to slimline seats next year and the other half in 2016, Mr. Saretsky said.
He made his comments on the airline’s third-quarter financial results conference call.
WestJet reported adjusted net profit of $85.4-million, up 31 per cent from the $65.1-million recorded a year earlier.
The third quarter was the 38th straight profitable quarter for the carrier, it said in filings with securities regulators.
The reduction in aviation fuel prices has been offset by the drop in the value of the Canadian dollar against its U.S. counterpart.
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BNE
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are Westjet using the new Acro low cost seat. Have only seen photos but they look paper thin in the backrest, with a tiny tray, 1/2 the size of conventional trays. Spirit are using them.
“Our guests will get the appearance of having an extra inch of legroom and we’ll decide over time whether there’s a trade-off we should be making that gives guests even lower fares in exchange for taking that inch back.”
Either there is an extra inch of legroom or there isn't. If it only "appears" to be there, you can't take it back.
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I flew WJ from YVR to YYC back in December and didn't mind the seats...
On the other hand I just returned from vacation to Miami and flew AA and Alaska. On the 37 and A321. Both aircraft had the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in. And built in headrest entertainment systems that cost money but didn't work.
On the other hand I just returned from vacation to Miami and flew AA and Alaska. On the 37 and A321. Both aircraft had the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in. And built in headrest entertainment systems that cost money but didn't work.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Canadian Shield
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I noticed on my last flight with Ryanair (Rome-MAN) in Aug 2014 that they had the new slim-line seats.
No tray-table, no pocket full of the previous pax's garbage and the emergency instructions stenciled onto the back of the seat in front. Oh, and no window blind if I recall correctly.
It didn't bother me one iota. The 4 x Euro 25 we paid as a family for the trip more than made up for it.
No tray-table, no pocket full of the previous pax's garbage and the emergency instructions stenciled onto the back of the seat in front. Oh, and no window blind if I recall correctly.
It didn't bother me one iota. The 4 x Euro 25 we paid as a family for the trip more than made up for it.
