Southwest Airlines announced the modernization of its aircraft interiors: the airline will use new seats from manufacturer RECARO. Additionally, the uniforms of its employees will be renewed, adopting a more modern look.
The American airline partnered with Tangerine to create an updated cabin interior for the aircraft deliveries starting next year. The design is based on extensive research encompassing customer and employee perceptions regarding color, comfort, and their aspirations for the overall onboard experience.
The design incorporates deep blue tones, sky blue accents, and a nod to Southwest’s heart woven into the carpet.
RECARO will provide the new seats, which offer enhanced comfort and complement the envisioned blue palette for the refurbished cabins. Southwest’s heart will be present throughout the interior with the recognizable symbol engraved on the seat headrests, along with a sunburst pattern on the seats.
Tony Roach, Senior Vice President and Customer Experience Director at Southwest Airlines, stated: “Southwest flies above the competition with sector-leading flexibility and our legendary hospitality. Our redesigned cabin significantly enhances our onboard customer experience and complements the incredible service provided by our Crews.”
New Seats
The new RECARO seats feature a flexible headrest cushion for better head and neck support, an intuitively designed seat for maximum comfort while maximizing seat width and overall support.
Each seat will have a personal electronic device holder so that customers can more easily enjoy the complimentary onboard entertainment on their devices.
Mark Hiller, Ph.D., and CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding, noted: “RECARO is proud to collaborate on expanding our footprint in America, especially when working with a local partner like Southwest, which began its history at the same time as us. Our new seat will be a great addition to Southwest’s customer experience, as its durable design and comfort features will serve passengers well.”
Matt Round, Creative Director at Tangerine, expressed: “We are delighted to be part of Southwest’s historic journey and the next phase of its modernization plan. We have listened to Southwest’s Customers and Employees and have responded by creating a new and distinctive cabin interior that meets and exceeds their desires.”
“Working closely with Southwest and all the suppliers involved, we have ensured that the design intent was executed in the cabin with the highest possible quality. The impressive result is a testament to what can be achieved with the collaborative spirit of all involved,” Round added.
Renewed Uniforms
A Uniform Inspiration Team consisting of 75 Southwest Employees is working alongside the current clothing supplier, Design Collective by Cintas, and uniform brand consultant and fashion stylist, Bonnie Markel, to develop the new look for Southwest Employees.
“This design project brings together unique perspectives in a dynamic and engaging co-creation process,” said Caroline Bartek, Creative Director at Design Collective by Cintas.
Abby Groshek, Clothing Designer at Design Collective by Cintas, noted: “It’s a true collaboration between Southwest Airlines and the Uniform Inspiration Team, Design Collective, and Bonnie Markel. As the design process unfolds, Design Collective and Bonnie Markel are creating a clothing line that represents the Southwest Brand.”
Service Enhancements
Southwest has implemented many improvements and initiatives outlined in a five-year plan for Customer Experience investment and evolution since May 2022. The latest updates include:
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- Enhanced Wi-Fi: Southwest completed Wi-Fi equipment upgrades across the fleet by the end of 2023 to offer an improved onboard Internet browsing experience with more bandwidth and faster data;
- Onboard power ports and larger overhead bins: All new 737 MAX 8 aircraft delivered to Southwest are equipped with USB A and USB-C power ports onboard and larger overhead bins. Additionally, these features will be added to existing MAX 8 and 737-800 aircraft, a process expected to be completed in the coming years;
- New functionalities for Southwest’s digital platforms and airport kiosks: Free Same-Day Standby, Digital Bag Tracking, and Online Baggage Check-in allow Customers the option for self-service in common requests.
