Southwest Airlines, known for its open seating policy throughout its 35-year history, is going to test assigned seating beginning July 10 on flights departing from San Diego
The determining factor whether Southwest expands assigned seating will be based on how quickly Southwest can “turn” an airplane – unload and load passengers and baggage.
When asked, What do you think of possible assigned seating on Southwest flights?, a Southwest spokesperson replied “Great. I hate rushing to the airport to be first. Terrible. Why mess with 35 years of success?” He added, “Customer satisfaction and enhancements will be a factor.”
The test is to last six to eight weeks. Southwest, had said in the past that the boarding process slowed too much by people making their way to their designated seats. The airline has remained highly productive by keeping its operations simple, including its open-seating policy.
Southwest said that if the airline decides to implement assigned seating, such a change wouldn’t happen before 2008. It said it is on no timetable to make a decision.
