Delta Reducing Seat Recline On A320s

Delta is making an interesting change to their Airbus A320 fleet, which is either good or bad, depending on how you look at it.

Delta is reducing seat recline on A320s

As reported by Skift, ] Delta will significantly reduce seat recline on 62 Airbus A320 aircraft most of which typically operate short flights:

• Delta economy will reduce recline from four inches to two inches
• In first class Delta will be Reducing recline from five inches to three and a half inches

The first plane with the reduced recline is flying as of this weekend, and the project should be complete within the next two months.

Delta's A320 first class

Why Delta is reducing seat recline

Delta isn't doing this to add more seats to planes. Actually, their A320s are already dense, with 157 seats.

Rather Delta is doing this because they think it will increase passenger comfort. The airline has invested in high speed wifi and personal televisions at every seat of much of their fleet.

The problem is that when you have an airline. economy product with 30 ″ or pitch, it's really hard to open a laptop if the person in front of you is reclining. By reducing the potential to recline, Delta thinks they will be creating a better experience for passengers.

As Delta's director of onboard product and customer experience it describes:

“This is not a push to add seats to the cabin or find a way to reduce the pitch of the seats. It's about an optimal experience. ”

My take on seat recline

Seat recline is a controversial topic, and many people disagree about whether reclining is a right or a privilege.

Personally I think reclining a seat is

Bottom line

Personally I don't use recline at all on daytime domestic flights, so I'm in favor of this change. My priority is always having my laptop open, and even in Delta first class it can be tough to do when the person in front of you is fully reclined.

So I'm in favor of this change on Delta's part, though Also, others find that value is more than a lot more than me.

What you do of Delta's decision to reduce seat recline on some planes – are you for or against it?