For years now, Southwest Airlines has been one of the few airlines to utilize an open seating policy instead of charging a fee to choose a seat ahead of time.
Yes, you can pay for earlier boarding to help you grab the seat you’d like, but you cannot choose what seat you’d like when you book your flight or check in. However, that may be changing soon.
According to CNBC, Southwest is now weighing the merits of changing its current open seating policy to “drive up revenue.” CEO Bob Jordan has stated that the company is “looking into new initiatives, things like the way we seat and board our aircraft” after its first-quarter report.
Competitor airlines that do charge for premium seats (first class, business, etc.) brought in $4.2 million in seating fees alone in 2022, according to Jay Sorensen, an airline ancillary revenue expert.
However, the ability to check two bags for free doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Ryan Green, Southwest’s chief commercial officer, said, “People choose Southwest Airlines because we don’t have bag fees.”
That is the truth for many consumers, so we’re happy to hear that’s unlikely to change! Now, when it comes to the seating policy, Southwest didn’t share any specific timeline, but we’ll keep our eyes out for additional updates.
We’ll be sure to update you on all the latest news, so stay tuned to AllEars!
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What do you think of this potential change? Tell us in the comments!
I had to sit in a seat facing the back of the plane once on SW. An interesting sensation.
I have been flying Southwest Airlines since 1990. The last thing I want to see is asigned seats. Especially when Some flights are not full, you can move about and sometimes you can get your own row. Airlines that charge for seats, the flight. Attendants are like a little Hitlers saying well we don’t care there’s four rows open you can’t sit there. Please do not change your policy
Totally agree. I can’t imagine seeing Southwest Airlines being just like the other carriers and going with assigned-seating either.
I love the open seating on Southwest! It’s frustrating to have to ala carte my flight on other airlines. Every new page has another decision, another charge. Frustrating! Southwest is much more consistent because they don’t change my seat on me since I choose it myself while getting on the plane. And booking is expeditious and easy to do. PLEASE don’t change!
Totally agree Dana. I’m for the open-seating policy @ Southwest Airlines as well.
Southwest’s free checked bag policy is more important than their open seating policy. With noise canceling headphones and a book, I can sit anywhere for a few hours.