Southwest Airlines is ditching open seating, one of the hallmarks of its brand over the last half-century. The airline is moving forward with plans to add assigned seating, the airline announced Thursday. It’s also planning to add extra legroom seats to its cabin for the first time.
As part of the changes, Southwest is also planning to revamp its unique boarding process, which currently sees customers line up along numbered posts based on a pre-assigned boarding group and number.
It’s a major shift for the Dallas-based carrier — one meant to entice more customers to fly Southwest and boost lagging financial results that have plagued the company of late.
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“Although our unique open seating model has been a part of Southwest Airlines since our inception, our thoughtful and extensive research makes it clear this is the right choice — at the right time – for our customers, our people and our shareholders,” CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement announcing the news.
Here’s what you need to know about the sweeping changes unveiled Thursday by Southwest.
Southwest open seating ending
More than 50 years after unveiling its open seating concept, the carrier is doing away with its one-of-a-kind cabin seating setup.
Going forward, the carrier plans to assign seats to all passengers, similar to what you’ll find on other airlines.
The move will spell the end of one of Southwest’s best-known quirks, one that’s long been the subject of strategy among Southwest loyalists hoping to find the best seat.
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Why is Southwest adding assigned seats?
For months, Southwest executives have discussed the possibility of shifting to assigned seats.
In a statement Thursday, the carrier claimed 80% of its customers, and 86% of potential Southwest customers now prefer an assigned seat.
“Preferences have evolved with more customers taking longer flights where a seat assignment is preferred,” the carrier said in a statement.
The changes, which include new extra legroom seats, will introduce new revenue opportunities at a time when the carrier has, like a number of its competitors, experienced lagging profits.
How will Southwest ‘premium’ seats work?
As part of its seating changes, Southwest will add a “premium seating” option, which will cost extra.
These extra legroom seats will likely represent about a third of seats on Southwest aircraft.
Specific cabin layouts are still in the works, the airline said, promising new details later this year.
The addition of extra legroom seats is seen as a way to boost the airline’s revenue opportunities at a time when Southwest, like a number of its competitors, has experienced lagging profits. Meanwhile, more profitable U.S. airlines — namely Delta Air Lines and United Airlines – have cited a boom in premium demand as a key to recent success.
Southwest has long offered an egalitarian cabin, but that’s soon set to change.
When will Southwest open seating end?
It’s not yet clear when Southwest’s sweeping seating changes might go into effect.
Executives promised more details at the company’s investor day in September.
The carrier did not give hints as to whether any of its non-premium seats might come with an added price tag; numerous U.S. airlines charge extra for “preferred” seats that are just regular seats toward the front of the cabin or at a window or aisle position.
Southwest announced no plans to boost revenue by charging for checked bags; its two free bags allowed for each customer (and free full-size carry on bags on every ticket) are another hallmark of the carrier’s brand.
Bottom line
It’s a time of big change at Southwest.
For decades, passengers have picked their own seats and lined up through a unique numbered boarding process.
Both are set to end — or at least undergo a major shift — in the not-so-distant future.
These changes come as the airline has also announced another first: the launch of redeye flights early next year.
Also in 2025, Southwest plans to begin taking delivery of new aircraft with its new seat types.
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