Southwest to have assigned seating

[sam_gordon]

Now they're going to have to update all their jets, perhaps even buy new ones, to offer special seating. That's going to be very expensive

Not really. The seats can be adjusted forward/back. They're on rails. Normally the rails are covered, so you may not have noticed them.

 

[focusondisney]

With their flights being bookable until March 5 - do we think it will be after that when assigned seating goes into place? I know we are all just guessing until further announcements, but I'm a planner and I need to start worrying (I mean planning) for my flights at Christmas.

The release states more info will be released at the investor meeting in September. And the seat reconfiguration needs to be approved by the FAA, no idea when that will be.

 

[DVC-Don]

That'll mean fewer wheelchairs and walking wounded pre boards.

 

[Smugpugmug]

The people that took advantage of preboarding (meaning fake preboarders, not people who actually need it) and seat savers ruined it for everyone else, so I hope they're happy I guess. I thought the boarding process for Southwest was always chaotic especially since I always do to/from MCO flights.

I do wonder how much flights will increase in price as even now, Southwest is more expensive than flying United at least from airports near me.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Not really. The seats can be adjusted forward/back. They're on rails. Normally the rails are covered, so you may not have noticed them.

But it's still a significant change overall. And they appear to be talking about extra leg room seats, and premium (first class?) seating, which will be more than adjusting seats front or back. Only speculation for now how this plays out, but it's a change that will take a lot of time and money.

 

[sam_gordon]

But it's still a significant change overall. And they appear to be talking about extra leg room seats, and premium (first class?) seating, which will be more than adjusting seats front or back. Only speculation for now how this plays out, but it's a change that will take a lot of time and money.

There's a difference between "taking time and money" and "needing to buy new airframes". I'm pretty confident they can fit the new seats into the existing airframes.

 

[gmi3804]

It's about time. Those seat savers are really the bottom of the social barrel.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

There's a difference between "taking time and money" and "needing to buy new airframes". I'm pretty confident they can fit the new seats into the existing airframes.

I'm sure they have a plan!

 

[TwoMisfits]

Love the change! Can look at booking them again in the future.

And as one who likes to be last on the plane, and not spend acres of time sitting in a tiny, enclosed space, this is perfect.

 

[TwoMisfits]

How does this affect family pre boarding and those that need assistance? I’m assuming that goes away? Sorry for my ignorance, I rarely fly anything but Southwest. That would certainly cut down on the number of people taking advantage of these situations.

You'd still have all the assistance and pre-boarding - they'd just end up going to their assigned seats in the early board.

 

[Pinnochio]

And as one who likes to be last on the plane, and not spend acres of time sitting in a tiny, enclosed space, this is perfect.

Amen!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We fly SWA because of their cancellation and free luggage policies. I found the boarding process to be annoying. But the low cost has been worth it. I am looking forward to the assigned seats. It will be a lot more relaxing to know where my seat will be.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I know I'm extrapolating and speculating where it's not necessary, but I hope their decision to change and be more like other airlines - and more profitable - doesn't mean they're looking to change their baggage fee policies!

 

[sponica]

I know I'm extrapolating and speculating where it's not necessary, but I hope their decision to change and be more like other airlines - and more profitable - doesn't mean they're looking to change their baggage fee policies!

Yeah, I always found boarding on SW to be nice and orderly because there wasn't as much competition for the overhead bins. It's always been nice and orderly...whereas on other airlines you have to deal with the gate lice....

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Most airlines that have assigned seating offer pre-boarding for families with small children, military and those needing assistance. So, I would suspect that Southwest would continue to offer it.

The adjustment will be in how their planes are configured since their seating is not set up for extra leg room with exception to the front row and exit row. Pre-boarders cannot sit in exit row seats. Pre-boarding presently for SWA is fairly limited on specific types of individuals but vague in its definition.

As noted at the moment pre-boarding isn't for families. Military also do not pre-board however if they did not get an A boarding group they board between A and B like families due as well as any A-List members who did not get an A boarding group.

Who knows if they plan to overhaul the boarding process however.

 

[focusondisney]

And they appear to be talking about extra leg room seats, and premium (first class?) seating, which will be more than adjusting seats front or back.

The release states “premium, extra leg room seats” not premium & extra leg room. I take it to be like JB that has extra leg room rows, but no first class on most planes.

 

[Pooh2]

Great news! Now I am bummed I did not grab the credit card last month with the bonus sign up points.

 

[TwoMisfits]

The release states “premium, extra leg room seats” not premium & extra leg room. I take it to be like JB that has extra leg room rows, but no first class on most planes.

They may only have the 2 rows (front and exit) as premium, extra leg room seats - that's the simplest plan to start...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They may only have the 2 rows (front and exit) as premium, extra leg room seats - that's the simplest plan to start...

But they will still have the exit row which is usually treated as an additional charge on airlines that charge for seat assignment because it too has extra leg room.

Oops sorry you did mention exit row

 

[focusondisney]

They may only have the 2 rows (front and exit) as premium, extra leg room seats - that's the simplest plan to start...

Could be, for some flights & add as individual planes are reconfigured.