Can someone explain the benefits of open seating?

[Anonymous]

For regular airlines, the earlier you book, the more seating options you have. If you book later, you are more likely to have to settle for the middle seat, split up your party, sit in the very back (with no more overhead bin space for your bag), etc.

For Southwest, you can book whenever, and as long as you check in early (or pay for early bird check-in), you’ll get a good boarding spot, get your preferred seat in a decent location with plenty of room still in the overhead. And as someone else mentioned, the boarding is very organized, no confusion, no crowding the gate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For regular airlines, the earlier you book, the more seating options you have. If you book later, you are more likely to have to settle for the middle seat, split up your party, sit in the very back (with no more overhead bin space for your bag), etc.

For Southwest, you can book whenever, and as long as you check in early (or pay for early bird check-in), you’ll get a good boarding spot, get your preferred seat in a decent location with plenty of room still in the overhead. And as someone else mentioned, the boarding is very organized, no confusion, no crowding the gate.

I will take my assigned seat (aisle always) on United, over the hassle of checking in on SW the day before and having to queue in line- it really is a cattle call. SW, despite their marketing, isn’t a low cost airline. Maybe if you’re flying to Little Rock or Birmingham, it’s cheap. Lately I’ve been flying to California a lot, and United is cheaper every time. If SW doesn’t have low fares, doesn’t have free checked bags, doesn’t have biz class or premium economy, I don’t see how SW can compete.

[Anonymous]

I appreciated it when traveling with little kids but also as a last minute business traveler it is much easier to get a decent seat.

What other airliner lines allow you to cancel with full credit towards future flights? That’s my primary consideration as my travel plans change frequently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean who would you rather sit next to during a flight? Your spouse and kids or some rando who doesn’t shower and spills into your seat.

Depends how much my spouse and kids annoyed me at the airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For regular airlines, the earlier you book, the more seating options you have. If you book later, you are more likely to have to settle for the middle seat, split up your party, sit in the very back (with no more overhead bin space for your bag), etc.

For Southwest, you can book whenever, and as long as you check in early (or pay for early bird check-in), you’ll get a good boarding spot, get your preferred seat in a decent location with plenty of room still in the overhead. And as someone else mentioned, the boarding is very organized, no confusion, no crowding the gate.

I will take my assigned seat (aisle always) on United, over the hassle of checking in on SW the day before and having to queue in line- it really is a cattle call. SW, despite their marketing, isn’t a low cost airline. Maybe if you’re flying to Little Rock or Birmingham, it’s cheap. Lately I’ve been flying to California a lot, and United is cheaper every time. If SW doesn’t have low fares, doesn’t have free checked bags, doesn’t have biz class or premium economy, I don’t see how SW can compete.

I agree with you 100%. I don't care of I'm the last person on the plane if I have an assigned seat. I'll fly SW if it's way cheaper (and it often is because of the free baggage) or if they have better times/routes (which is often the case since I live closest to BWI) but otherwise, I prefer any airline over SW where I can have my seat pre-assigned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For regular airlines, the earlier you book, the more seating options you have. If you book later, you are more likely to have to settle for the middle seat, split up your party, sit in the very back (with no more overhead bin space for your bag), etc.

For Southwest, you can book whenever, and as long as you check in early (or pay for early bird check-in), you’ll get a good boarding spot, get your preferred seat in a decent location with plenty of room still in the overhead. And as someone else mentioned, the boarding is very organized, no confusion, no crowding the gate.

I will take my assigned seat (aisle always) on United, over the hassle of checking in on SW the day before and having to queue in line- it really is a cattle call. SW, despite their marketing, isn’t a low cost airline. Maybe if you’re flying to Little Rock or Birmingham, it’s cheap. Lately I’ve been flying to California a lot, and United is cheaper every time. If SW doesn’t have low fares, doesn’t have free checked bags, doesn’t have biz class or premium economy, I don’t see how SW can compete.

I agree with you 100%. I don't care of I'm the last person on the plane if I have an assigned seat. I'll fly SW if it's way cheaper (and it often is because of the free baggage) or if they have better times/routes (which is often the case since I live closest to BWI) but otherwise, I prefer any airline over SW where I can have my seat pre-assigned.

This. I usually check my bag, so there is no need to rush the gate for overhead bin space. My goal is usually to be one of the last boarding the plane.

If I don’t check a bag, I’m usually in boarding group two on United. This comes with Silver Status, which isn’t a big deal- I think it’s the lowest United status, but it gets you onboard early if you need it, and free checked bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids. I don't want to pay for 4 seats. Without open seating you can't get seats together even paid sometimes.

We're not rich. But prioritize spending when we need to. Fly rarely but have always been able to get seats together because we pay the fee. Seems like open seating is more of a risk.

This! I have status on AA and US and can't imagine not knowing if I'll be sitting with my teen or not.

I always pay for EarlyBird on SW, but have flown it enough to know you can get 2 seats together unless you're in the last half of the C group. It's really not hard.

It's not about sitting together.

(Seriously, what's with you codependent travelers?)

If I’m practically sitting in someone’s lap for 5 hours, damn right I want it to be someone I know, not a stranger. I don’t think that’s odd at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For regular airlines, the earlier you book, the more seating options you have. If you book later, you are more likely to have to settle for the middle seat, split up your party, sit in the very back (with no more overhead bin space for your bag), etc.

For Southwest, you can book whenever, and as long as you check in early (or pay for early bird check-in), you’ll get a good boarding spot, get your preferred seat in a decent location with plenty of room still in the overhead. And as someone else mentioned, the boarding is very organized, no confusion, no crowding the gate.

I will take my assigned seat (aisle always) on United, over the hassle of checking in on SW the day before and having to queue in line- it really is a cattle call. SW, despite their marketing, isn’t a low cost airline. Maybe if you’re flying to Little Rock or Birmingham, it’s cheap. Lately I’ve been flying to California a lot, and United is cheaper every time. If SW doesn’t have low fares, doesn’t have free checked bags, doesn’t have biz class or premium economy, I don’t see how SW can compete.

I’ll take an assigned seat on another airline IF there are still aisle or window seats towards to front available when I book. Otherwise, SW is a solid backup for me because I’ll pay for early bird. I will not take middle over SW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the screeching about Southwest. I like selecting my seat ahead of time and knowing I'll get an aisle or bulkhead or whatever. Who LIKES having to fight for a seat?

The cost, the cost! Duh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ When traveling with younger kids, it is nice to all sit together, so you can trade the fidgety kid off, distribute snacks, help them set up a movie or activity, etc. We have just aged out of this phase (youngest is 5) but we've had about a 13 year stretch of appreciating family boarding.

Super weird. Do you not travel much? I do not struggle with two kids on my own.

Lol ok, you’re the person 4 whiskeys deep not paying a lick of attention to any of your kids. They’ve learned you don’t care, and it’s sad.
-dp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the screeching about Southwest. I like selecting my seat ahead of time and knowing I'll get an aisle or bulkhead or whatever. Who LIKES having to fight for a seat?

The cost, the cost! Duh

It’s always more expensive when I look at tickets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ When traveling with younger kids, it is nice to all sit together, so you can trade the fidgety kid off, distribute snacks, help them set up a movie or activity, etc. We have just aged out of this phase (youngest is 5) but we've had about a 13 year stretch of appreciating family boarding.

Super weird. Do you not travel much? I do not struggle with two kids on my own.

Lol ok, you’re the person 4 whiskeys deep not paying a lick of attention to any of your kids. They’ve learned you don’t care, and it’s sad.
-dp

Well that was quite a leap. Projecting perhaps?

DP