Inter-island flights on Hawaiian Airlines are going to get slightly more cramped by the end of the year.
The carrier says it will retrofit the 18 Boeing 717 aircraft used on interisland routes with new lightweight seats, reducing leg pitch by about one inch.
The new seats will no longer have the ability to recline, the airline said.
The new configuration will allow the airline to add up to 10 more passengers on each flight.
Hawaiian said it has completed the first retrofit of a Boeing 717 and the remaining planes will be revamped by the end of this year.
“The new lightweight seats are engineered to ensure a maximum amount of personal space without compromising legroom or comfort,” said Peter Ingram, chief commercial officer for Hawaiian.
Hawaiian spokeswoman Alison Croyle said that although the new seats will not have a reclining mechanism, they are set at “a pre-reclined angle that our guests will find comfortable.”
In addition cabins will have a new color scheme and seat backs will have a ‘tablet table’ for passengers using personal devices.
“These new, modern design elements rejuvenate the interiors of our Boeing 717s while allowing us to deliver a consistent onboard experience for our guests,” Ingram said.
