Cathay Pacific Airways will change its economy class seats back to the traditional reclining variety on most long-haul destinations after the newer fixed-back shell type was criticised by passengers.
The seats have been hit by problems since being launched in a refit programme in 2007, with claims that they were uncomfortable.
It is not the first time that Cathay has retreated on new seating configuration after negative passenger feedback. The old herringbone business class seats were replaced by the new wider and longer business class seats in March after passengers said the older versions were 'coffin-like'.
John Slosar, who succeeded Tony Tyler as the chief executive of Cathay in April this year, has been driving the retrofit programme. Slosar, who has an extensive background in fast-moving consumer goods during his time at Swire Pacific's beverages division, appears more willing to listen to ideas from end users, in this case the passengers.
The fixed-back shell economy seats, which are designed to prevent infringing the space of the person behind when reclined, allegedly compromise the leg room and comfort of passengers actually sitting in them. They will be changed back to traditional recliner seats on all Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus 330-300 aircraft. The first aircraft featuring the 'traditional' seats will enter service in March, initially on routes to Sydney and Toronto. A total of 36 Boeing 777-300ER and 26 Airbus 330-300s will be fitted and refitted by December 2013.
The extensive changes in Cathay Pacific's long-haul aircraft, including introducing a premium economy class, come at a time when airlines are facing a possible downturn in demand on long-haul routes to Europe.