Two American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are awaiting FAA approval prior to going into service. This delay means two fewer aircraft flying around American’s system that:
- Have less space between seats, even in Main Cabin Extra and first class
- Have less padding in the seats
- Have no seat back television screens
- Have smaller lavatories
American’s new standard domestic interior that squeezes more passengers in than ever — when US Airways management took over the airline there were 150 seats in their 737s, now there are 172 — comes fresh from the factory in new 737 MAX aircraft.
Meanwhile the airline continues to take out more comfortable interiors on 737s, and replace them with less comfortable seats in all classes of service. They’re also planning a similar interior for their Airbus A321neo aircraft, and will use that as the basis to go back through their current A321 fleet and makes those less comfortable, too.
The airline would point out that this new interior has larger overhead bins, so passengers shouldn’t need to gate check bags and delay flights, and that they’re putting in satellite wifi so customers can stream entertainment to their phones. If they really believed this was a good replacement for seat back video they’d do it on their international widebody fleet. However new Boeing 787 aircraft continue to be delivered with seat back video.
These new uncomfortable narrowbodies, that the FAA is preventing American from adding to its fleet because they haven’t finished the paperwork during the shutdown, fly routes like Dallas – Anchorage and even fly to Brazil.
By grounding these aircraft in Tulsa the government is doing more to improve passenger experience when it’s shut down than when it regulates.
Also important to note that the window seats are crammed into the curve of the wall of the plane, so there is 3-4″ less of shoulder room for window passengers. The center seats are actually much roomier than the window ones. Plus, all armrests are thin, hard plastic, which (at least for me) mean my arms are hurting after landing
What’s the perfect definition of “beating a dead horse”? A Gary Leff post on AA’s 737 MAX aircraft.
Thanks for continuing to beat the drum on this, Gary.
Gary, can you answer this question. How many more bags can the new bins hold?
AA says, “new interior has larger overhead bins, so passengers shouldn’t need to gate check bags”,.
They added 22 more seats so that could be 22 more bags. I would bet that it is a ZERO gain for more bag space.
Many Airlines around the world are reducing the aircraft´s seat pitch
This is a very important worry for All passengers, but especially for
Passengers under stress
Elderly people
Passengers with reduced mobility
Claustrophobic people
Pregnant women
Handicapped passengers
@dk that’s not correct the new bins do fit one bag per seat
Two days ago I was on a 737 with the updated interior and have to say, it was more comfortable for me than the previous interior. The seats were more comfortable for me and the lack of seat back IFE provided more underseat legroom or sufficient space for my backpack. In this case I was able to stow it above because of the huge overhead bins. The seats are taller and the headrest has a different contour on the top corners. Meaning, my head was comfortable rather than rolling off the side as it did in the old interior. And the cradle style recline is gone and that’s good because the seat bottom frequently dropped angle so that they did not provide sufficient support under the thighs.
Yep the rear lavs are almost a joke. I don’t think a normal size person could sit in there so best to take care of the serious business before boarding.
Granted my thoughts are different than many seen in this venue but I look forward to the change. Of course it’s also important to note, people are more prone to post complaints than agreement.
@aircraft lover – You can argue that reduced pitch is an issue on airlines like BA, which have reduced pitch for every seat on the plane. The mainline carriers in the USA have simply created additional choices for flyers, and those who need/want more space can purchase MCE/E+/EC or first-class.
@tim – I have heard people complain about “reduced seat width” on these new planes, but the fuselage of the 737 has been the same for decades, so while they are using less-comfortable seats, they are not narrower.
I do not lament the death of seat-back IFE screens for domestic travel. Just build in a little phone/iPad clip or dock and everyone is fine.
Mostly this is due to the fact that I’m too proud to wear an eye-mask on late night flights and I hate trying to sleep while 12 screens in close proximity that aren’t even being watched flash on and off for 3 hours.
Gary,
you make the same complaint every day. Sigh! Find something new to talk about.
Dear God. Another post on your obsession with the 737MAX. And this time with a bonus extra-asinine headline.
“Though leadership”
actually the biggest problem is that the aircraft is dangerous af
One more post about the 737 max and I’ll never click another of your links. Give it a rest, we know how you feel. Now talk more about how to earn more points.
Kind of related: Wall Street Analysts have been saying that the Big Three airline industry is undervalued, and is now surprised that revenues have been disappointing. Really, they should read this blog. I would not mind the Max Flight on a 1 to 2 hour flight. But I would totally avoid on a longer flight. It just takes a small portion of customers per flight to avoiding, to produce disappointing numbers.
To be honest, I am looking forward to reading Gary’s next comment on the Big Three explanations how they are going to recapture premium revenue, amid revenues/profits disappointment.
@Other Just Saying — United just reported extremely good financial results. Much better than Delta’s. United is now effectively being led by their President Scott Kirby, Doug Parker’s former “right hand man.” Like Parker, Kirby loves to take away passenger perks that passengers won’t pay for.
In America, one is allowed to believe anything they want, but there is zero correlation between “passenger friendly” initiatives at US airlines and airline profitability. Gary would love this to be true (as I guess, would all flyers, who want to get more than they paid for), but in the real world, it simply is not.
@Chopsticks, I heard about United’s results about 30 minutes after writing my comment. I happily put on the Dunce Cap. However, performance is vs expectations.
I would speculate that with an engaged frequent flyer base, they would do better still. But it easy for me to say, typing on my cell phone in an Amex Lounge, after a good glass of red wine. I think it is time for another. The Cab looks good! Life as a FF flyer is really rough.