Less Capacity: Why Southwest Airlines Reversed A $60 Million Decision Made 14 Years Ago

In 2012, Southwest Airlines made a very airline-industry choice to cram another row into its aircraft. The airline moved to thinner, lighter seats and gave up quite a bit of comfort as a result, with recline being trimmed and pitch being tightened slightly. This, however, allowed the airline to boost its Boeing 737-700s from having 137 seats to 143.