Delta is reducing seat recline, even in first class, on all Airbus A320 jets. Is this a good or bad move?
First reported by Scott Mayerowitz of The Points Guy, Delta will start dropping seat pitch today on all 62 of its A320 aircraft. Economy class seats currently recline four inches (from the top of the seat). That recline will be halved to two inches. In first class, seat recline will drop from 5.5 inches to 3.5 inches. It will take about two months to retool all of Delta’s A320s.
You might be asking why. Why would Delta make such a change? Is this a ruse to reduce seat pitch?
No, no, no says Delta. Instead, Delta claims this move is about preventing passengers from suddenly reclining in such a way that the passengers behind are disturbed. I’ve had many near-misses with my laptop almost being crushed due to sudden recline by the passenger in front of me and this is what Delta says it wants to prevent. Delta also reasons that it will be easier to watch seatback IFE with less recline.
A Delta spokesperson told Mayerowtiz:
It’s really not at all a gateway to reducing your legroom. That is not the intent here. If we were adding seats, or something else, the cynics would be correct. But this is really about more personal space.
The spokesperson also stressed that A320s fly mostly on shorter 1-2 hour routes in the USA, so this will not negatively impact redeye flights or longer transcontinental flights.
Good Or Bad Move?
I’m of the opinion that this is a smart move. A couple of extra inches of recline does make a difference on longer flights but always comes with a downside. Generous recline, especially in economy class but in “domestic” first class as well, makes it very difficult to get up and use the restroom for those in middle or window seats. Furthermore, the laptop issue is real…and a real annoyance.
For shorter, daytime flights, this represents a reasonable change to impact the most passengers in a positive way. I suspect those who watch TV or movies on seatback screens will also appreciate the easier viewing angle.
CONCLUSION
Delta could always pull a fast one on us and add more seats, but I doubt it. After all, Delta still only has nine across on its 777-300ERs. United and American have added a tenth seat. Instead, Delta is looking to create a more premium experience onboard and this small change will help to achieve that.
What are your thoughts on Delta reducing seat pitch?
image: Delta
measured at the top of the seat ?
I’m thrilled. If it were up to me, I’d remove recline entirely from all aircraft.
Agree 100%
+1
But it’s less comfortable without recline, especially on long flights. Those who pay for first class and econ+ deserve more recline than 3.5″
Fly Spirit. Leave the rest of us alone and slightly comfortable.
Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier don’t have any recline, no first class, no seat back screens, and not enough legroom.
Agreed too. Just build the seats with an inch or so of in-built recline.
Especially economy, first class can keep their recline since the person behind has enough leg room anyways.
I totally agre
And yet you don’t fly Spirit or Frontier?
Are they going to charge less for the product like Spirit Airlines. No they will say this is good for customers and it is not. Sitting straight up for 2.5-4 hours on most flights sucks. Another step backwards for the crappy Airline industry.
Agreed. +1
Excellent trip reviews!
Delta doesn’t have 777Ws
Oops. I meant Delta doesn’t have 77Ws
The B757s have a pretty deep recline in first too. I’m hoping these are on the list of aircraft that’ll be adjusted.
The only time I’ll miss the extra recline is redeye flights, but I’m not sure it makes a big difference anyway. It’s not like we’re talking about 180° reclining seats.
“Delta could always pull a fast one on us and add more seats, but I doubt it.”
HAHAHAHA.
Have you met Delta?
Wish you would stop drinking the kool-aid, Matthew.
Meh. I almost never recline on short domestic flights, anyway. My opinion may change if they start doing this on longer domestic hauls, though. Especially in F and Comfort+, this seems like a bad idea, since the whole point of buying up is to enjoy a more comfortable experience.
Best idea ever…remove the recline altogether… kudos for Delta
I disagree.