All articles tagged with #southwest airlines
An opinion piece lauds Southwest's 18-month overhaul—rolled out with assigned seating, Extra Legroom, bag-fee changes, a new ops system, six interline partners, and broader distribution—saying the execution was flawless, boosted on-time performance and 2026 guidance (EPS at least $4; unit revenue up), and signals a successful transformation from the post-2022 meltdown to a more efficient, modern airline.
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.
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.
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.
Southwest Airlines is moving away from its open seating model to assigned seating loaded by groups using the Window-Middle-Aisle (WILMA) method, backed by a multi-tier boarding scheme that rewards priority boarding, extra legroom, and other perks for frequent fliers and credit-card holders. The change aims to lift profits—Intel says extra legroom could add about $1.5 billion annually—yet experts warn the added perks may slow boarding and complicate operations, reflecting a broader industry push toward revenue optimization over pure efficiency.
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.
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.
Southwest Airlines is seeing limited open seating on its flights as demand remains high, prompting travelers to book soon to secure available seats and avoid last-minute shortages.
A minor incident occurred at Raleigh-Durham International Airport where an Avelo plane being towed clipped the winglet of a parked Southwest Airlines plane. No injuries or delays resulted, and both planes were unoccupied at the time.
In 2026, Austin's airport will see a significant increase in nonstop flights, especially from Southwest Airlines, which plans to operate up to 132 daily departures, including new destinations and seasonal routes. The airport is also undergoing major expansions and renovations to accommodate growth, despite ongoing air traffic controller shortages that may cause delays. Several airlines are adjusting their schedules, with some relocating operations and adding new routes, making travel from Austin more convenient and diverse.
Southwest Airlines ended its free checked bags policy to boost profits, but the move has not yielded the expected financial gains, with profits falling 42% in the first nine months of the year and no significant revenue increase from bag fees, despite ongoing brand changes and new seating options.
Despite a 42% profit decline in the first nine months of 2025, Southwest Airlines' stock has surged nearly 24%, driven by strategic initiatives like switching to assigned seating and offering extra legroom for a fee, which analysts believe will boost future earnings. The airline's transformation efforts and market optimism have led to a significant stock rally, even amid industry challenges and demand dips.
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Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan is taking a stand against excessive meetings by blocking his calendar every Wednesday to Friday afternoon to focus on work, highlighting a broader trend among business leaders to reduce ineffective meetings and improve productivity. Other CEOs like Jensen Huang and Jamie Dimon are also adopting strategies to streamline meetings, emphasizing the importance of purposeful and efficient interactions in the workplace.
Southwest Airlines, once highly rated for customer service, is facing customer dissatisfaction due to recent policy changes such as baggage fees, assigned seating, and new rules for disabled passengers. The airline's latest controversy involves introducing pistachio snacks for extra legroom passengers, which has sparked widespread criticism and may lead to some customers avoiding the airline altogether.