Southwest ending open seating

[Anonymous]

this is such a bummer. I love SW, and the only thing I don't love is that their seat spacing is so small--I like the window but to get out from there to the aisle is so tight and awkward. Now I have incentive to fly other carriers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always check in right at 24 hours in advance and get a spot in B boarding group. If you are in B boarding group, you are going to be able to find 2 seats together (and most likely 3 seats at the back of the plane). Families with young children get to board between A and B boarding groups, so, there are plenty of seats for them.

Funny that 4/5 said they would prefer assigned seating so there wasn’t as much satisfaction with the old process as you seem to think.

4/5 of what? Current Southwest customers? Current airline customers? Humans?

I'm the PP and I was just stating why I had no issue with the open seating policy. I didn't claim everyone like it but it always worked for us without always having to pay extra, and we never lied to pre-board.

Current SWA customers are cheap AF and enjoy cheating the system. That’s why 4/5 don’t want the easily-abused policies to change.

After SWA starts assigning seats and provides a more pleasant flying experience they will appeal to more people and can raise the prices. They will increase their customer base and charge more - might not be enough to help them survive but gives them a shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this is such a bummer. I love SW, and the only thing I don't love is that their seat spacing is so small--I like the window but to get out from there to the aisle is so tight and awkward. Now I have incentive to fly other carriers.

Southwest has more standard legroom than any other US carrier (without paying for extra legroom.)

[Anonymous]

Liked open seating and would intentionally board towards the end. That way I got to choose .... not sitting next to that person, definitely not sitting next to that one ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too many people taking advantage of their system with “family” boarding and “disabilities.” I’m sorry for the people who actually needed pre boarding.

It's always interesting to see how many people need wheelchairs at departure yet somehow they are able to walk off the plane and not need a wheelchair upon landing.

Why does anyone “need” preboarding? The flight leaves at the same time whether they board first or last. If you want to get on early, pay for it.

Some people truly do need more time. My parents are old and move at a glacial pace. They use wheelchairs both on and off the plane. You don’t want general boarding held up while it takes them 10 minutes to shuffle to their seats. Also disabled people who are in wheelchairs for life. It takes time for them to board.

While I agree the vast majority don’t need pre boarding there are cases where it’s needed. The rampant abuse of it is what caused this change.

Np I don’t get why they go first though. If they were last they could walk at a snails pace (or be pushed) along with everyone else. When they’re first they slow everything down.

I had the same thought about boarding with my kids. I board last with them. Why the heck do I want to sit 15 min longer with my kids? My kids are fast though. They sit in their seat quickly.

[Anonymous]

Bummer. We pretty much always get A boarding for free. Fast fingers.

[Anonymous]

I'm very confused by the people who want Southwest to be more like other airlines. If you like how other airlines operate, fly other airlines.

Even if you hate open seating and like having business class and other features of other airlines, why wouldn't you support an airline that exists for people NOT like you, so those people can fly SW while you fly your airline of choice?

If you think SW customers are all cheap and horrible, how great for you to be able to easily avoid people you dislike by flying another airline.

Choice is a good thing for customers generally, whether you like all the choices or not. I don't really get celebrating the idea of Southwest "falling into line" with other airlines because it just reduces choice generally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always check in right at 24 hours in advance and get a spot in B boarding group. If you are in B boarding group, you are going to be able to find 2 seats together (and most likely 3 seats at the back of the plane). Families with young children get to board between A and B boarding groups, so, there are plenty of seats for them.

Funny that 4/5 said they would prefer assigned seating so there wasn’t as much satisfaction with the old process as you seem to think.

4/5 of what? Current Southwest customers? Current airline customers? Humans?

I'm the PP and I was just stating why I had no issue with the open seating policy. I didn't claim everyone like it but it always worked for us without always having to pay extra, and we never lied to pre-board.

What does it matter? The decisions have been made whether you think they accurately polled their customers. Seems like many in here are in favor of the change. The cheap pre board abusers will have to cope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too many people taking advantage of their system with “family” boarding and “disabilities.” I’m sorry for the people who actually needed pre boarding.

It's always interesting to see how many people need wheelchairs at departure yet somehow they are able to walk off the plane and not need a wheelchair upon landing.

Why does anyone “need” preboarding? The flight leaves at the same time whether they board first or last. If you want to get on early, pay for it.

Some people truly do need more time. My parents are old and move at a glacial pace. They use wheelchairs both on and off the plane. You don’t want general boarding held up while it takes them 10 minutes to shuffle to their seats. Also disabled people who are in wheelchairs for life. It takes time for them to board.

While I agree the vast majority don’t need pre boarding there are cases where it’s needed. The rampant abuse of it is what caused this change.

Np I don’t get why they go first though. If they were last they could walk at a snails pace (or be pushed) along with everyone else. When they’re first they slow everything down.

I had the same thought about boarding with my kids. I board last with them. Why the heck do I want to sit 15 min longer with my kids? My kids are fast though. They sit in their seat quickly.

Families don’t need extra time it’s all about just sitting together and assigned seats fixes that issue. But young families don’t move slower or have less ability to sit down quickly than everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Ah the old “compare people with disabilities to children” trope. People never cease to amaze me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ah the old “compare people with disabilities to children” trope. People never cease to amaze me.

In terms of flying there are similarities between small children and some people with disabilities because they both need assistance getting off and on the plane and may need extra assistance during the flight. In terms of accommodations, what is the difference between someone needing assistance because they are in a wheelchair versus because they are a 4 yr old? The point is they both need help and early boarding as an acknowledgment of that.

No one is saying a person with a disability is a child. But children are "disabled" in that they lack certain abilities and mobility that others have. Kids under the age of 1 cannot walk. Most kids under 3 or 4 would be unable to get into a seat on their own and when older kids need help with seat belts. Most children under age 10 or so would need help with emergency procedures. Many kids can't carry or stow their bags on their own. Many cannot use the bathroom alone. Many young children cannot communicate with flight staff. And so on.

[Anonymous]

I like SW when traveling for my sons’ travel sport bc we save a lot not having to pay to check his bags/equipment. We pay for A boarding and I am always super annoyed by all of the inconsiderate cheapskates who buy one A boarding and save seats for the rest of their party. I am rejoicing that those people now have to pay for seats.