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Southwest reveals modern cabin makeover for a better flight experience

By Mark Reif Oct 17, 2025 10:18 AM

Southwest Airlines new cabin — Southwest Airlines / Southwest Airlines

This week, Southwest Airlines celebrates an elevated customer experience, taking delivery of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 with an updated cabin. The interior features a modern design, new seats, extra legroom, larger overhead bins, and more. The new plane entered service on October 16.

Southwest passengers get an entirely new cabin

Southwest covered every detail in the refreshed cabin, and based the design on extensive research of customers and employees, and their “perceptions of color, comfort, and aspirations for the onboard experience.” A palette of blue tones covers the cabin, with brand logos sprinkled throughout. Overall, it’s a design that “feels modern, welcoming, and genuinely Southwest.”

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Another highlight is the Recaro seats, which Southwest selected in 2024 based on consumer research and product testing. The German company is known as a market leader in aircraft and automotive seating, with designs made for comfort, room, and support. In the new Southwest cabins, the multi-adustable headrest cushions feature a Southwest heart, with the seats displaying a sunray pattern. All new Southwest aircraft deliveries will feature the new seats, and some -800 planes will be retrofitted.

Extra Legroom (ELR) sections give passengers more space to relax at 35,000 feet. Special Recaro ELR seats use a sky blue sunray pattern front and back. With Southwest switching to assigned and premium seating on January 27, 2026, those seated in the ELR section will get special amenities, like:

Boarding Group 1 or 2, providing earlier access to overhead bin space3;
Complimentary premium beverages; and,
Enhanced snack options.

Rounding out the new cabins are larger overhead bins, and USB-A and USB-C ports on each seatback. The Recaro seatbacks will also feature a personal electronic device holder and a tray table with two built-in drink holders.

Mark Reif is a storyteller focused on the intersection of outdoor culture, travel, and design. From the peaks of Banff to the… Read Full Bio

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