US Airways to update coach seats on A330s

By Lori Ranson

US Airways plans to install new coach seats in its Airbus A330-300s next year, but the seat pitch in economy class will remain the same.

Flight's ACAS database shows that the carrier currently operates nine of the type.

In the latest employee update US Airways says that the seats will match those in new A330-200s that are scheduled to enter service in June. The carrier has 25 -200s on order. US Airways expects to start replacing coach seats in the -300s in late 2010.

Responding to employee concerns about the addition of economy seats to the A330-300s after the merging of US Airways and America West in 2005 creating tight seat pitch, management says that although the pitch won't be altered after the modifications, "The unique design of the seat back will provide more knee room and the rear seat beam being moved 2" forward will provide more shin clearance and allow extra comfort and room for our passengers."

Basically the carrier reasons the new slim profile of the seat should supply more "living space" than the current seat offerings.