How much thought really goes into the layout of economy seating?

How much thought really goes into the layout of economy seating?

Are airlines now just cramming people in so that they can make more money? or are they think about the comfort of the passenger? Is it up to the low cost carriers to do the first i mentioned and the full service carriers to do the latter? Thats the way it seems. Seems like Qantas is leaning towards the pig heaed attitude by jamming more seats in.

I'm not aware of Qantas changing their configuration to cram any more seats in than they already do... Economy is economy... most airlines are pretty comparable with their seating in economy. Have you heard that Qantas are putting more seats in Economy??

Just seems that the new sky interior 737s have less legroom than the old ones. I am probably dreaming but that was my impression. They have the reclining system where your seat moves forward... may be what makes the difference.

AirportAddict, I think you've just you've just answered your own question.  A lot of thought goes into economy, as well as lessons learned from previous designs, such as what you've quoted, "A reclining system where your seat moves forward."  

This is an excellent development.  Your cranium is not interfered with by the person in front when bending over the tray eating your food without spilling it, and your laptop isn't compromised by the screen getting caught in the tray-table latch.

These new developments mean that airlines are thinking about economy passengers, and the fact that most employers, especially on domestic flights, insist that their staff fly economy unless really senior.

I've noticed the new Qantas sky interior economy chairs have less under-thigh support than the old ones. I travel out of Adelaide almost exclusively on 737's every week and find the new seats less comfortable than the old ones, and the tray tables are more flimsy with no lip to hold the food tray. The armrests are thinner and less useable - with the old seats one person could use the shared armrest, with the new seats the shared armrest isn't useable.

The seat pitch seems to be about the same, which given the seats are thinner, means the seats are closer together but with the same legroom.

The per-seat entertainment is great, with the criticism being the buttons on the armrest are far too easy to brush and randomly change movies. Also I notice on the new planes my airplane headphone adapter needs to be held firmly at an angle in order to get stereo sound.

Overall not the best experience, but they do look nicer.