Seat Decisions -- American will add back a portion of the coach seats previously removed from its MD80, 737, 767 and 777 fleets. On the MD80 and 737 aircraft, only one of the two rows of coach seats originally removed will be added back to those airplanes. In addition, the MD80 reconfiguration will expand the first class cabin by two seats, in recognition of the value American's customers place on its first class product.
With regard to adding back seats, Arpey said American is acting to increase revenue by eliminating a seating capacity disadvantage largely attributable to the More Room Throughout Coach program the airline launched several years ago. "When we launched More Room Throughout Coach, healthy yields and robust business travel were the norm, and both conditions were essential to the success of More Room," Arpey said. "However, times have changed, and we must acknowledge that in today's low-fare environment, having fewer seats on our aircraft has put us at a real revenue disadvantage compared to other airlines."
