Southwest to have assigned seating

[kwdw]

This is awful news to me. It will totally change the culture of the airline. I’m the “poor” one on the plane, I will now feel that way. I’ll definitely be doing more comparison shopping instead of always being in the middle back.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

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.

It's very likely you're correct. The wording isn't clear. I guess I don't consider 6" of extra leg room premium, but since it's something airlines charge for, it's probably considered premium! For me, premium is more butt room, not leg room!

I'm sure it will be clarified at some point.

 

[bobbiwoz]

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

True

 

[sam_gordon]

This is awful news to me. It will totally change the culture of the airline. I’m the “poor” one on the plane, I will now feel that way. I’ll definitely be doing more comparison shopping instead of always being in the middle back.

Sorry, I don't understand this. How are you the "poor" one?

 

[traveler9]

What are they going to do with all the extra wheelchairs that now magically won’t be needed?

 

[Mle8308]

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

I guess no more miracles at the arrival destination!

 

[MICKIMINI]

What are they going to do with all the extra wheelchairs that now magically won’t be needed?

There are not enough chairs at MCO. That is the airport I need one. I have posted before to please not be too quick to judge. People can often manage in small airports but not big airports. You may not see me using a chair at my home airport on departure and arrival, but do need one at MCO. Things are not as simple as they seem.

 

[BrianL]

I actualll preferred not having an assigned seat. As long as I got a decent boarding number, it was all good - just gotta click that check-in at 24 hours exactly! As long as I was in the early B group it was always fine.

 

[Mle8308]

I am very excited about the change. I am not a fan of the open boarding policy, even though when I do l fly SW, I always buy EBCI. I do agree about the baggage fee, I hope they do not charge one to make up for the money lost by no early check in fees or raise their prices too much (though in my area, they are often not the cheapest tickets). Will be interesting to see their new fare structure whenever it takes effect.

 

[Gary M]

I haven't flown SWA in years because of their no assigned seat policy. I fly about 6 times a year, mainly on Delta. People game the baggage fee by gate checking their baggage. How they get the baggage that far without checking it I have no clue.

 

[dez1978]

The seating thing never bothered me. We just bought EBCI. Never had a problem. I do wonder what will happen or how it will change the rewards/A list thing from the credit card. Hopefully they don't start charging for bags. Thats always been the big draw for me, and the only airline that has nonstop flights to Denver from our airport, that doesn't charge a butt load of fees for everything.

 

[beccasmom]

We don’t fly SWA as often as we once did, but at one time we almost always booked our WDW flights with them. My mom (now deceased), who often traveled with us on those trips, often remarked on how chaotic their boarding process seemed, and much preferred assigned seating. I actually think they do a pretty decent job with it most of the time, although assigned seating is my preference as well. We checked in at the 24-hour mark and rarely had a problem obtaining an “A” assignment. We also used Early Bird on a few flights before it became too costly.

They don’t offer many non-stop flights from PHL these days (maybe one a day in each direction) and the fares don’t seem as competitive as they used to. I do wonder if their baggage policy will change with the advent of the new assigned seating policy. I also much appreciate their refundable fares and hope that doesn’t change either. I will be watching this change with interest.

 

[clh2]

I wonder if being able to select the assigned seat (regardless of whether it will be a regular seat, premium or exit row) is where SWA will re-capture the Early Bird seating fees.

And, then if no seat is “paid for/selected”, you would automatically get an assigned seat at the 24 hour check in time..

I’m a big fan of Early bird seating, so I feel I will be swapping one fee for a different one.

Will be purchasing flights for October 2025, which will include 3 grandkids. Will be interested to see how it works for newer FAA guidelines to ensure kids can be seated with adults. Hopefully there will an “interim” group of Southwest flight dates before we need to purchase ours-Ie an opportunity to get the kinks worked out of the system!

 

[Brian Noble]

I never fly Southwest anymore. I might consider it with assigned seating.

Same.

That doesn't exist right now on SW other than the first row or exit rows. They will have to reconfigure their entire seating.

This isn't that hard to do. The seats are bolted onto the floor, and can be moved to different anchor points. It's not trivial---you have to rip up and replace the carpet---but it is not very hard. The planes are manufactured to be flexible about how the customer wants seats arranged.

 

[LRdismom]

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....

I'd be happy with assigned seats AND keeping the pre-boarding line. Maybe loading people starting from the back of the plane. (After the priority and other early groups are boarded)

 

[Brian Noble]

I suspect the lack of competition for overhead bins has less to do with open seating and more to do with free bags.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I suspect the lack of competition for overhead bins has less to do with open seating and more to do with free bags.

Absolutely. No real need to lug all those bags onboard to stuff in the overheads if you don't have to pay to have them checked!

 

[sam_gordon]

Absolutely. No real need to lug all those bags onboard to stuff in the overheads if you don't have to pay to have them checked!

I still think it's foolish, especially going TO your destination to not have enough clothing/medicines for the first 24 hours.

When I'm traveling on business, I can get 5-6 days worth of clothes in my carry on. I get two free checked bags (up to 70#) with Delta. I still just use the carry on. No worries about a bag not making a flight, no waiting around for bags to come out at baggage claim.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I still think it's foolish, especially going TO your destination to not have enough clothing/medicines for the first 24 hours.

When I'm traveling on business, I can get 5-6 days worth of clothes in my carry on. I get two free checked bags (up to 70#) with Delta. I still just use the carry on. No worries about a bag not making a flight, no waiting around for bags to come out at baggage claim.

I'm not saying don't have some important stuff with you in a carry-on. You're right - it's important. It's just some of the people we've seen on flights carrying on ridiculous amounts of carry-on stuff and not having it monitored at the gate, in an effort to avoid the bag fees - or gate check it to avoid the bag fees. The norm for us is a checked bag, a carry-on in the overhead, and a personal item under the seat - works great for the trip and peace of mind in the event the checked bag ends up in South America (which, sadly, has actually happened to us!!).

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm not saying don't have some important stuff with you in a carry-on. You're right - it's important. It's just some of the people we've seen on flights carrying on ridiculous amounts of carry-on stuff and not having it monitored at the gate, in an effort to avoid the bag fees - or gate check it to avoid the bag fees. The norm for us is a checked bag, a carry-on in the overhead, and a personal item under the seat - works great for the trip and peace of mind in the event the checked bag ends up in South America (which, sadly, has actually happened to us!!).

I will say Delta has been monitoring stuff at the gate, making announcements about only having TWO items, and stopping folks from boarding until they consolidate.