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Assigned Seating

All articles tagged with #assigned seating

Southwest ends open seating with a fanfare as it shifts to assigned boarding to lift profits
business29 days ago

Southwest ends open seating with a fanfare as it shifts to assigned boarding to lift profits

Southwest Airlines has scrapped its 54-year open seating policy and begun using an eight-group, assigned seating system, a move executives say reflects customer demand and aims to boost profits; the rollout was celebrated with gate events and banners, but many loyal flyers criticized losing the open-seat perk and other advantages like free bags, signaling a broader shift toward profit-focused changes that follow cost-cutting and investment pressure.

via Daily Mail|
#airline-profits#assigned-seating#business
Southwest’s First Day of Assigned Seating Sparks Boarding Chaos and Packed Bins
travel1 month ago

Southwest’s First Day of Assigned Seating Sparks Boarding Chaos and Packed Bins

Gary Leff details his experience on Southwest’s launch of assigned seating on a day of winter storms, noting chaotic boarding as passengers line up by group even with assigned seats, long lines to store carry-ons in oversized bins, and flight attendants attempting to manage the congestion. He critiques Southwest’s move from free checked bags and perks to paid seating and bag fees, arguing the new process mirrors other airlines and worsens the in-flight experience, with ongoing questions about execution and future improvements.

via View from the Wing|
#assigned-seating#bin-space#boarding-process
Assigned seating debuts at Southwest, drawing cheers and grumbles
business1 month ago

Assigned seating debuts at Southwest, drawing cheers and grumbles

Southwest Airlines started enforcing assigned seating for the first time in decades, introducing eight boarding groups and new seat options while phasing out open seating. The rollout drew mixed reactions: some travelers praised the predictability and family-friendly aspects, while others grappled with glitches in the new system and longer preflight processes, signaling a broader industry shift toward monetizing cabin choices and premium seating.

via Yahoo News UK|
#airline-industry#assigned-seating#boarding-process
Southwest Moves to Assigned Seating, Ending Its Open-Seat Era
travel1 month ago

Southwest Moves to Assigned Seating, Ending Its Open-Seat Era

Southwest Airlines has retired its decades-long open seating policy in favor of assigned seating with three fare-based categories (standard, preferred, extra legroom) and a new boarding order tied to fare class and elite status. The change also ends the flexible policy for plus-size passengers, requiring two seats upfront. Premiering with water-cannon salutes and celebratory gates, the move aims to modernize the experience and boost revenue, but drew mixed reactions from longtime fliers who valued the old system’s unpredictability and egalitarian ethos.

via The New York Times|
#assigned-seating#boarding-process#open-seating
Southwest ends open seating, adds assigned seats with paid upgrades and new boarding order
business1 month ago

Southwest ends open seating, adds assigned seats with paid upgrades and new boarding order

Southwest will switch from open seating to assigned seats starting Tuesday, offering standard seats with optional paid upgrades (preferred and extra legroom) and optional priority boarding. A new eight-group boarding system will place passengers based on seat location, fare class, loyalty status and benefits, with those buying extra-legroom likely in Groups 1–2 and basic-fare travelers in Groups 6–8. Passengers needing extra space must purchase an extra seat in advance, with refunds dependent on availability and fare class. Gate-area changes will roll out in phases over about two months. The move, part of a broader push to boost profitability and align with other carriers, follows Southwest’s earlier shifts away from long-standing perks.

via Yahoo|
#airline-policy#assigned-seating#boarding-groups
Southwest moves to assigned seating with eight-group boarding and paid upgrades
business1 month ago

Southwest moves to assigned seating with eight-group boarding and paid upgrades

Southwest Airlines is ending its open-seating system and moving to assigned seats with an eight-group boarding process, offering standard, preferred and extra-legroom seats plus paid priority boarding; families of nine or fewer will be kept in the same boarding group, while passengers who don’t fit in a single seat must buy an extra seat in advance and refunds are not guaranteed; the rollout, supported by investor pressure, includes phased gate-area changes over about two months and marks a major shift in the carrier’s traditional perks.

via wtop.com|
#airline-policy#assigned-seating#boarding-groups
Southwest Airlines Introduces Assigned Seating and Boarding Groups in January
travel7 months ago

Southwest Airlines Introduces Assigned Seating and Boarding Groups in January

Southwest Airlines will introduce assigned seating and a new eight-group boarding process starting January 2026, replacing its traditional single-file line. Boarding priority will be based on fare class, elite status, credit card ownership, and additional options like purchasing priority boarding. The change aligns Southwest with industry standards, with the key to early boarding being the purchase or upgrade to extra legroom seats, especially since the airline no longer offers a first-class cabin. The new system aims to streamline boarding while still rewarding higher-paying and elite customers.

via The Points Guy|
#airline-policies#assigned-seating#boarding-groups