It seems that Southwest Airlines has found a new partner for seating – with the airline turning to Recaro Aircraft Seating.
Southwest Airlines has selected the BL3710 economy class seat for their new aircraft. These will delivered from 2025 for installation
The BL3710 seat will feature a multi-adjustable headrest cushion, an ergonomically enhanced seat bottom, a backrest with lumbar support, and a new armrest design that maximizes seat width.
Meanwhile, the seatback will feature a tray, a top documentation pocket, a Personal Electronic Device holder (suitable for both phones and tablets and a pocket.
Southwest selected this seat based on feedback from testing, workshops, and comfort studies. The design brings Southwest’s warm energy to life with deep blue tones, sky blue accents, and a nod to the Southwest Heart woven throughout the carpet.
The move comes in work with design studio Tangerine. There’s a lovely rendering which has been released to support the launch:
The seat itself draws on Recaro’s experience, which will feature ergonomic backrest forms, and an artificial leather dress cover to the lightweight structure of the seat playing to the sustainability agenda, whilst keeping the seat lightweight at around 10kg a seat.
Joining the new seats will be a new uniform for this stuff too.
In Quotes
Tony Roach, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Southwest Airlines said:
“Southwest flies above our competition with industry-leading flexibility and our legendary Hospitality,”
“Our redesigned cabin interior significantly enhances our inflight Customer experience and will complement the amazing service that our Crews provide.”
Dr Mark Hiller, CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding said
“This award is a tremendous accomplishment for Team RECARO. We are proud to collaborate on expanding our footprint in the Americas, especially when we get to work with a local partner like Southwest who began their story the same time as us,”
“Our BL3710 will be a great addition to the airline that is committed to putting people first, as its durable design and comfort features will serve passengers well for many years to come.”
Sunitha Vegerla, General Manager of RECARO Aircraft Seating Americas added
“Since RECARO was founded in Fort Worth, it’s been a long-term goal to work with our neighbors – Southwest Airlines. From their servant-leadership and people-centric culture to their stance on sustainability and involvement in the community, the similarities we see in our companies’ cultures and values is astounding,”
“As we look to the future, this partnership is a great milestone in the significance of sustainability and meeting customer needs in every seat design.”
A new supplier steps in
Currently, Southwest has tapped Collins Aerospace and others in the past for seating – with the airline selecting pre-reclined seats as part of their product to maximise space and comfort.
Again some things are being carried forward into the Recaro seats – with an adjustable headrest being retained (rather than it being removed), but it seems the comfort and ergonomics won out as part of the new seating solution that Southwest Airlines is taking on board.
Economy Class and Beyond has spent more than our fair share of time in these seats – we’ve seen them evolve since their introduction in 2018 at Aircraft Interiors Expo.
The BL3710 comes in at around 10kg per seat, depending on the configuration chosen. This is by no means the lightest seat that Recaro offers on the shorth-medium haul product but it offers a pretty comfortable experience, with airlines such as IndiGo, Jetstar and LOT ordering and taking delivery of the type.
We’ll have to see how they look in the real world installed on a Boeing 737 from 2025 onwards.
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