Southwest Airlines recently made a surprising announcement that it will be transitioning from its long-standing open-seating policy to assigned seating. The airline’s open-seating system, in place for over 50 years, allowed passengers to choose their seats onboard, creating both loyal fans and critics.
Details of the Open-Seating System
- Passengers did not have pre-assigned seats but received a boarding position consisting of a letter group and a number.
- At the gate, passengers lined up based on their boarding position and could select any available seat once onboard.
Passenger Reactions to the Change
Southwest’s decision sparked strong emotional responses from its dedicated passengers on social media and the airline’s website forum. Many expressed disappointment and concern about the shift from open seating to assigned seating.
For instance, Evan Bell from Indianapolis shared his discouragement, stating that he enjoyed the flexibility of choosing his seat on Southwest flights.
Southwest’s Response to Passenger Concerns
Despite passenger pushback, Southwest maintained that the change to assigned seating aligns with evolving customer preferences. The airline acknowledged that assigned seating may not be preferred by all passengers but emphasized that research indicated a demand for this change.
Speculations and Questions About the Transition
Passengers have been speculating about the implementation of assigned seating, potential impacts on expedited boarding options, and whether Southwest will introduce seat assignment fees. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the future of Southwest’s unique offerings like two free checked bags in the face of industry trends towards additional fees.
