Southwest to ditch open seating
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Southwest Airlines is making significant changes to its business and operational model.
It is moving to assigned seating for the first time and will offer extra legroom seats.
It comes as the airline is being pressured by a major investor to make crucial changes to boost the bottom line.
Also, the airline will start ‘red-eye’ flights for the first time.
The airline says the changes – especially the shift from open seating – is a move a large majority of customers support.
“The research is clear – 80% of Southwest customers, and 86% of potential customers, prefer an assigned seat,” the airline said. “By moving to an assigned seating model, Southwest expects to broaden its appeal and attract more customers.”
The airline had been mulling a change in the seating policy for some time.
Southwest hasn’t mentioned whether its free checked bags policy will change, which is one of the main selling points, or whether it will start charging to change flights.
Southwest’s first 47 years of its 50-year history saw it post net profit every year.
That ended as the pandemic kicked in and it has suffered a number of problems since.
Notably, the December holiday meltdown of 2022 was a major blow to its reputation and cost the airline about $1 billion.
The airline is currently under expanded safety oversight by the FAA due to a number of near-misses and safety issues.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Lyn DresJul 25, 2024 07:18 PM
VE BEEN IN THE TRAVEL BUSINESS--EVERY DAY---FOR 54 YEARS. CLIENTS ARE BOOKING AWAY FROM SOUTHWEST BECAUSE THEIR LOW FARES, ARE NO LONGER THE LOWEST AND BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY MELTDOWN AND SAFETY ISSUES. SEATS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. BAD MOVE ON THEIR PART!!!
Log in to Replywphoto2u2Jul 25, 2024 07:14 PM
Open sesting was a ok concept, but inlight of the way people are acting nowadays the airline is forced to change it's policy and it is a shame.
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