Southwest Airlines’ New Seat Design for 2025 Sparks Outrage: ‘We Are Getting Lawn Chairs’

• Southwest Airlines has debuted its updated seat design that will be introduced on all new aircraft starting in early 2025.
• The TikTok posted by the airline in February immediately drew criticism from fliers who thought the seats looked uncomfortable
• Despite the backlash, an airline spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that the seats still have the same width and legroom as they do now

Southwest Airlines is debuting its new seat design for 2025 — but some passengers aren’t too happy about it.

The airline debuted the sleek look in February on TikTok with the caption: “New fit check! 💯Introducing our updated cabin design and new seats! You can see this interior on new aircraft deliveries early next year. Not to mention our ongoing rollout of adding larger tanks and in-seat power ports to our current aircraft!”

In the clip, the cameraman walks down the aisle of a plane with old Southwest seats. “The interior of the plane you see,” they wrote in white text over the video.

The next shot shows the updated cabin interior with new, streamlined seats fitted with a small heart-shaped detail in the lower corner of each headrest. Also featured is an additional tray to support iPads and phones.

“Updated interior coming next year 😏,” the airline captioned the clip.

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In the comments section of the video, flyers were quick to criticize the new design.

“So we get thinner, more uncomfortable seats with hearts on them,” one user wrote, while another added: “Why don’t you just put wooden benches? They’d be just as comfortable!”

Southwest Airlines seat design updated for 2025.

TikTok

“Ozempic seats ✨😭,” joked another, referring to the viral weight loss drug. Meanwhile, others wrote that the seats were comparable to “granite slabs” and “plastic pool chairs”.

In another comment, one person pointed out, “We’re getting lawn chairs!” Another asked, “Is there an option to just stand?”

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Tables with a tray in a new design.

TikTok

While some comments point out that it looks like there are more seats and less space in the new design, an airline spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that the seats “retain the customer-friendly width and legroom we currently offer on all aircraft configurations.”

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Current Southwest Airlines seat design.

TikTok

They added that the updated interior will be featured on “new aircraft deliveries” in early 2025 and that the airline spent “18 months” researching and testing seat comfort. The new design uses foam technology that is “softer to the touch,” and the headrest also offers a “multi-adjustable” cushion.

“It will include new functionality including in-seat power, a personal electronic device holder and dual cup holders on the seatback tray with left-handed customers in mind,” they added.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education