New seat design on Easyjet
 

Flew back from SSH with Easyjet yesterday on a brand new A320, cabin crew said it was only delivered two days previously.

It had seats fitted that I've never seen before, much "thinner" (i.e less bulk) than previous versions, they seemed to give a fair bit more leg room and extra width as well. Downside was that the tray table is much smaller. The label on the seats said something like "Recaro".

Wonder why something like this hasn't been done before, doesn't seem to be rocket science!

All the new EZY A320's are now being delivered with the new seats. Many other airlines (including Monarch & Lufthansa) are also being delivered with lighter and thinner seats.

Link with pictures below:
Like Recaro's SL3510? You'll love easyJet!

Why does the cynic in me think that some bean :8 counter will, in order to generate extra revenue, soon make use of the extra space provided by this new seat design by adding a row! :hmm: let's wait and see shall we.

Do you really believe that when you buy a ticket you're somehow entitled to a fraction of the floor space on an aeroplane instead of just a seat?

Why on earth wouldn't they do that? It would be a truly incompetent company that didn't consider it.

In your quest for superiority Ab you come out with some impressive statements. This is your best one yet.

I think Lufthansa has been using these for ages. I'm pretty sure they were on the A380 I took from FRA to SFO, and they are on the LH 747 fleet, too.

Recaro is probably best known for their automotive seats used in racing.

I believe Squeezy is already at the maximum authorised capacity for their aircraft.

From Easy's own communique:

Clearly, more space is their current sales pitch. I was wondering out loud just how long that will remain the case.

Thanks ExXB. I was still typing when you posted. I shall remain a cynic. It goes with my age ;)

It sounds like these seats don't recline either. My wife will hate that, but I won't :O

Excellent news, and I hope we're lucky enough to get the new seats on our next excursion to the in-laws.

I get the impression - and I'm voting in favour with my debit card - that EZ is trying to make the experience as pleasant as it can be within the cost constraints, unlike The Other Lot who seem hell-bent on making it as unpleasant as possible, in order to drive home the "it must be cheap" message.

As for the floor space comment - yes, that *is* one of the things you pay for.

To the best of my knowledge, Recaro have been making airline seats for about 20 years. Unsurprisingly, LH is a big client of theirs.

Jet2 have had thin seats for a few years now. They don't recline but are not uncomfortable and legroom seems adequate. The arm rests are much shorter and the seats are made from a hard plastic shell with a reasonable amount of padding for the cushion. There are c times when I have been more uncomfortable on a Lufthansa A340 for four hours than a Jet2 B737 for over five.

Comfort is secondary - it's the light weight that is primary. Although I'm sure they take comfort seriously, no company changes seats in that way for pure customer service.

25F, guess you didn't read the comment then.

You are buying a seat and the space around it, not a fixed percentage of the aircraft's floor area. If they find the space for another row by improving the use of space you clearly aren't entitled to a share of the gain are you?

HT, keep taking the pills, reality is clearly a struggle. My commiserations.

Some of us can still remember the properly comfortable seats everywhere, from the days before ergonomics was discovered .....

That's the best PR-speak euphemism yet for a non-reclining seat.

Agaricus bisporus
 

Considering your comments, let me suggest a different screen name: Amanita bisporigera

comfy!
 

I found the new seats very comfy and I have back trouble. The lack of reclining does not bother me, at least the person in front can't move their seat up and down while I'm trying to enjoy my tea! There does seem to be an extra inch or two of legroom. Thank you EJ!

If these are the ones with the seat pocket high up behind the head rest then Brussels Airlines have these too. I like them. They give more legroom and a firmer feel. I like a firm seat... ooh err!

Edit: I would imaging weight/fuel is the primary concern for the operators. They look super light.

Do you mean these seats?

http://twitter.com/Lewi320/status/354741671927369729/photo/1

It's nothing new having non reclining seats on easyJet. I'd say about 95% of the current aircraft don't have reclining seats.

@Exxb: "Squeezy". Really? How old are you? That it boring 15 years ago.