$outhwest $eating

[ExPirateShopGirl]

This from "Today in the Sky" - it appears the 'Pay for an A" and "Fee for a B" plans could be implemented soon. The whispers have been going on since Southwest tested assigned seating at SAN last year.

Seating options changing at Southwest?
While Southwest CEO mentioned the possibility of partnering with another airline to offer flights to Europe (see above), he was also quoted by The Baltimore Sun (free registration) as addressing several other noteworthy topics during a speech Monday.

The Sun writes that "Southwest has for months been studying whether to abandon or modify its open-seating policy, which it has insisted is necessary to get planes in and out of airport gates rapidly." Speaking on that subject, Kelly was quoted as saying that "for 30 years, the primary feedback we got from our customers is that they preferred assigned seating, but we wanted to do a lot of careful research first. What we're looking at is still comparing our options. You'll see some changes soon," he added, without elaborating.

Kelly also addressed questions about whether Southwest's recent expansion to both Washington Dulles (in 2006) and Philadelphia (in 2004) could hurt its presence at Baltimore. Kelly said that was not a concern. "This airport (BWI) is well-prepared for more growth," he said. "Philadelphia is strained. ... I don't really see it as a cannibalization issue here at all."

Posted at 11:33 AM/ET, Jun 19, 2007 in Southwest | Permalink | Comment

 

[CarolA]

You know I am amazed at how many posters on this board are forking over the $5 to AirTran for their seat. I think it's going to be the wave of the future. I also don't think it will stop with seats.... I think what Sprit and Allegiant are doing is the wave of the future.

You want $50 airfares? Fine, but the airlines will continue to nickle and dime you...

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, people will pay to get a guaranteed A, but not for a real seat assignment, because those can never really be guaranteed. (Even on SWA, which only flies 737's.)

I have NO idea where they are getting that canard about loyal customers preferring assigned seating, because survey after survey of RR members has come back with resounding support for open seating -- we like the system the way it is, for the most part. (There is consensus that there is lots of room for improvement in the policing of preboarding and the mgmt of the boarding lines in the gate area, though.)

I've long said that I wouldn't have any problem with the airline giving guaranteed A's to anyone who pays the fully refundable fare. It is primarily the business travelers who complain about having to get to the gate early, and that would take care of that objection for most of them.

 

[salmoneous]

This from "Today in the Sky" - it appears the 'Pay for an A" and "Fee for a B" plans could be implemented soon.

Was there something else you didn't quote? From the passage, it just says "changes coming soon". Was there anything specific on the "pay for an A" notion?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Was there something else you didn't quote? From the passage, it just says "changes coming soon". Was there anything specific on the "pay for an A" notion?

Because I work alongside my industry colleagues at Southwest I am familiar with proposed changes, namely the payment for the best boarding card proposals. We may work for rivals, but we are a fairly friendly bunch.