Aircraft will have two classes of service

Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines, which recently grounded its 12 MD-80s in a cost-cutting move, now plans to reconfigure its Boeing 717 fleet by adding 11 more seats to each plane. The current 717 configuration of 88 seats in a 2x2 layout will be replaced with a 99-seat configuration, including 40 “Signature” seats that keep the 2x2 layout with 35-36 inches of legroom; and a new “Midwest Class” of 59 “Saver” seats arranged 3x2 with 32 inches of pitch. The new configuration will apply for Midwest flights on or after October 21. “Passengers paying select business fares will be assigned a Signature seat, if available,” the airline said. “Leisure and sale fares will be assigned a Saver seat, with the option to request Signature seating for a $25-$75 fee, based on route and availability. Customers can also request Signature seating at the time of check-in, if available.” Midwest said that even with the changes, its 717s will still have fewer seats overall than those of other airlines.