Southwest ending open seating

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest sucks. Airline is stuck in the 70s. I've only flown on them once and everyone on the plane was unattractive.

Sometimes being outdated pays off. My flights were on time with no delays last weekend while people flying Delta, American and United suffered.

Oh except for the holiday meltdown in 2022? That was a huge mess.

Just goes to show they all have their issues. You can’t escape it by being loyal to just one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest ending its open seating citing it as passengers' #1 complaint...but also a way to get to charge passengers.

#1 complaint for those who don't choose it, one of the biggest draws for those who do. They're going to turn into the legacy carriers looking for every opportunity to nickel and dime passengers

This. I just want to quickly walk onto the plane and sit with my family. How will it work with priority boarding for families? SW is no longer the most affordable but budget airlines like spirit are still worse.

On some routes at some times they are the most affordable. Especially for those of us who live near BWI. That's why I just can't seem to quit them. I am thrilled that they will have assigned seating. I was about to stop traveling with them because a-hole fellow passengers made each trip a huge conflict.

Same. It’s unbelievable how many people pay for one A boarding pass so someone can save seats for their whole party who are in C. It drives me nuts to the point that I’d prefer paying more for an assigned seat and to not be surrounded by selfish cheapskates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: What do you think everyone is doing while they slowly get on the plane? They are waiting for them. 10 mins is 10 mins whether on the front end or the backend. Now your parents can reserve the first few seats on the plane and everyone can get on more efficiently and fairly.

Although I understand how you arrived at your conclusion, it is a very narrow view of who preboards and why. It will be interesting to see how this shapes seating for some travelers and their experience.

Because clearly for some it’s about getting the first few seats without paying extra, checking in 24 hours early, or any of the other hassles. They may still get preboarding but will be directed to their back of the plane seat if they failed to pay to preselect a seat. Which will make preboarding a lot less attractive to many since there isn’t much upside. If people truly need and value it, they will pay for it.

I get why this annoys people -- I also don't love the idea of people lying to pre-board.

However as someone who doesn't fake a disability or pretend to have a small child or pay for early check in for one person and then save seats for other people I prefer Southwest because it allows us to fairly easily get seats together with our kid (who is too old for family preboard). We log in 24 hours in advance and generally wind up in the B group which pretty much always enables us to find at least 2 seats together in the back of the plane (usually 3 together but at a minimum 2). We travel a lot so we really appreciate this flexibility and not having to pay an extra $50 per leg just to make sure a 9 year old can sit next to a parent. She'd be okay sitting nearby it's just not ideal. Southwest allows us to do this without paying extra so we default to Southwest for domestic travel. Combined with no change fees and free checked bags this makes Southwest the most economical option for family travel even when the actual ticket price is higher. I also really like the transparency of their pricing and that pulls me their way more often -- I know if I see a price on Southwest that's the all in price and I won't have to pay extra for any reason later. It makes travel planning a lot easier.

If Southwest starts charging to select seats I just view it as the beginning of the end. I'd rather they just charged more for the tickets! Same with bags. Just bake this into the cost. This is the primary differentiator and if you get rid of it there's just no real reason to pick Southwest unless they have the cheapest ticket which often they don't.

I think they are ruining the best thing about the airline.

Depends where you live. If you’re on the west coast or south west they are usually the only choice to get from A to B. People will still fly Southwest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: What do you think everyone is doing while they slowly get on the plane? They are waiting for them. 10 mins is 10 mins whether on the front end or the backend. Now your parents can reserve the first few seats on the plane and everyone can get on more efficiently and fairly.

Although I understand how you arrived at your conclusion, it is a very narrow view of who preboards and why. It will be interesting to see how this shapes seating for some travelers and their experience.

Because clearly for some it’s about getting the first few seats without paying extra, checking in 24 hours early, or any of the other hassles. They may still get preboarding but will be directed to their back of the plane seat if they failed to pay to preselect a seat. Which will make preboarding a lot less attractive to many since there isn’t much upside. If people truly need and value it, they will pay for it.

I get why this annoys people -- I also don't love the idea of people lying to pre-board.

However as someone who doesn't fake a disability or pretend to have a small child or pay for early check in for one person and then save seats for other people I prefer Southwest because it allows us to fairly easily get seats together with our kid (who is too old for family preboard). We log in 24 hours in advance and generally wind up in the B group which pretty much always enables us to find at least 2 seats together in the back of the plane (usually 3 together but at a minimum 2). We travel a lot so we really appreciate this flexibility and not having to pay an extra $50 per leg just to make sure a 9 year old can sit next to a parent. She'd be okay sitting nearby it's just not ideal. Southwest allows us to do this without paying extra so we default to Southwest for domestic travel. Combined with no change fees and free checked bags this makes Southwest the most economical option for family travel even when the actual ticket price is higher. I also really like the transparency of their pricing and that pulls me their way more often -- I know if I see a price on Southwest that's the all in price and I won't have to pay extra for any reason later. It makes travel planning a lot easier.

If Southwest starts charging to select seats I just view it as the beginning of the end. I'd rather they just charged more for the tickets! Same with bags. Just bake this into the cost. This is the primary differentiator and if you get rid of it there's just no real reason to pick Southwest unless they have the cheapest ticket which often they don't.

I think they are ruining the best thing about the airline.

Depends where you live. If you’re on the west coast or south west they are usually the only choice to get from A to B. People will still fly Southwest.

PP here and I have family on the west coast and in the southwest and while this is true to a point it's also changing. And it will change faster if Southwest starts acting more like other airlines. Southwest basically owns ABQ airport for instance. But people flying in and out of ABQ are largely very cost conscious. That's a huge part of what has helped Southwest build that foothold. But if the features of the airline people have come to rely on change then you bet people there will shop around.

Southwest is pretty rare in that it is a company with a very strong brand and a lot of loyalty in an industry where usually consumers just go by price. I don't really get why they'd give that up. They would be better off capitalizing on their brand to raise prices (which many loyal customers would be fine with as long as they go the same built in amenities -- seat selection and free bags and flight changes) rather than just adopting the pricing model of other airlines that their most loyal costumers want.

I think this could boost profits in the short term as they attract some customers who were previously put off by not being able to select their seat but in the long run they'll lose a ton of their frequent fliers and brand advocates. It feels short sighted to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They were already nickel and diming people for low boarding numbers, which you needed if you wanted to ensure you sat with family. The few times I had to fly SW I ended up paying $$$ for their auto check-in so my kid wasn't sitting alone for the flight.

Open seating is fine for regional business flights, doesn't work if you want to act like a major carrier.

I am glad as you have to pay the extra fees anyway with family/kids and its stressful trying to get a seat together. I have health issues so I'd rather sit next to my husband in case of emergency as a stranger will not know what to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: What do you think everyone is doing while they slowly get on the plane? They are waiting for them. 10 mins is 10 mins whether on the front end or the backend. Now your parents can reserve the first few seats on the plane and everyone can get on more efficiently and fairly.

Although I understand how you arrived at your conclusion, it is a very narrow view of who preboards and why. It will be interesting to see how this shapes seating for some travelers and their experience.

Because clearly for some it’s about getting the first few seats without paying extra, checking in 24 hours early, or any of the other hassles. They may still get preboarding but will be directed to their back of the plane seat if they failed to pay to preselect a seat. Which will make preboarding a lot less attractive to many since there isn’t much upside. If people truly need and value it, they will pay for it.

I get why this annoys people -- I also don't love the idea of people lying to pre-board.

However as someone who doesn't fake a disability or pretend to have a small child or pay for early check in for one person and then save seats for other people I prefer Southwest because it allows us to fairly easily get seats together with our kid (who is too old for family preboard). We log in 24 hours in advance and generally wind up in the B group which pretty much always enables us to find at least 2 seats together in the back of the plane (usually 3 together but at a minimum 2). We travel a lot so we really appreciate this flexibility and not having to pay an extra $50 per leg just to make sure a 9 year old can sit next to a parent. She'd be okay sitting nearby it's just not ideal. Southwest allows us to do this without paying extra so we default to Southwest for domestic travel. Combined with no change fees and free checked bags this makes Southwest the most economical option for family travel even when the actual ticket price is higher. I also really like the transparency of their pricing and that pulls me their way more often -- I know if I see a price on Southwest that's the all in price and I won't have to pay extra for any reason later. It makes travel planning a lot easier.

If Southwest starts charging to select seats I just view it as the beginning of the end. I'd rather they just charged more for the tickets! Same with bags. Just bake this into the cost. This is the primary differentiator and if you get rid of it there's just no real reason to pick Southwest unless they have the cheapest ticket which often they don't.

I think they are ruining the best thing about the airline.

Depends where you live. If you’re on the west coast or south west they are usually the only choice to get from A to B. People will still fly Southwest.

PP here and I have family on the west coast and in the southwest and while this is true to a point it's also changing. And it will change faster if Southwest starts acting more like other airlines. Southwest basically owns ABQ airport for instance. But people flying in and out of ABQ are largely very cost conscious. That's a huge part of what has helped Southwest build that foothold. But if the features of the airline people have come to rely on change then you bet people there will shop around.

Southwest is pretty rare in that it is a company with a very strong brand and a lot of loyalty in an industry where usually consumers just go by price. I don't really get why they'd give that up. They would be better off capitalizing on their brand to raise prices (which many loyal customers would be fine with as long as they go the same built in amenities -- seat selection and free bags and flight changes) rather than just adopting the pricing model of other airlines that their most loyal costumers want.

I think this could boost profits in the short term as they attract some customers who were previously put off by not being able to select their seat but in the long run they'll lose a ton of their frequent fliers and brand advocates. It feels short sighted to me.

They are a business trying to make money. It’s pretty straight forward. If they can’t survive then they deserve to go under. But, let’s wait and see. Too often people predict death but that’s not always how it turns out. Customers will just have to get used to paying more. If Southwest goes under that will just mean less competition and less choice for customers as there are fewer airlines to choose from and they don’t have to compete on price.

[Anonymous]

I hate their seating policy, hated my experiences at the gate and won't fly them so for me, this means I may choose them. I imagine others must feel the dame or they wouldn'tbe changing it.

[Anonymous]

As a very petite woman, I'm all for this! 100٪ I'll start flying SW again because of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They can just as easily board last once everyone else is seated. They don’t “need” to be first. Or they can just pay for it.

Which would hold up departure for the time it takes to get them on. I have no dog in this fight. I don’t fly Southwest ever but some people truly do need this. Have you ever seen a video of how wheelchair users have to get on the plane? Google it. You want the plane waiting for them to take off? Better to do it first then board and immediately leave.

What do you think everyone is doing while they slowly get on the plane? They are waiting for them. 10 mins is 10 mins whether on the front end or the backend. Now your parents can reserve the first few seats on the plane and everyone can get on more efficiently and fairly.

I'd rather be sitting in the waiting area, or running to get a snack then crammed into my seat for another 10 minutes waiting for them. Plus it will be more than 10 minutes because they will have to shuffle all the way to the back becasue the front seats are all taken. The preboarders don't bother me at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They can just as easily board last once everyone else is seated. They don’t “need” to be first. Or they can just pay for it.

Which would hold up departure for the time it takes to get them on. I have no dog in this fight. I don’t fly Southwest ever but some people truly do need this. Have you ever seen a video of how wheelchair users have to get on the plane? Google it. You want the plane waiting for them to take off? Better to do it first then board and immediately leave.

What do you think everyone is doing while they slowly get on the plane? They are waiting for them. 10 mins is 10 mins whether on the front end or the backend. Now your parents can reserve the first few seats on the plane and everyone can get on more efficiently and fairly.

I'd rather be sitting in the waiting area, or running to get a snack then crammed into my seat for another 10 minutes waiting for them. Plus it will be more than 10 minutes because they will have to shuffle all the way to the back becasue the front seats are all taken. The preboarders don't bother me at all.

Ok. But others on SW are currently concerned about getting seats with their family and finding overhead bin storage. Across all airlines early boarding is preferred by almost all customers to avoid checking bags. A few outliers aren’t going to change anything. There’s a reason frequent flier perks don’t include late boarding as some sort of incentive. They know what customers prefer.

[Anonymous]

As a business and family traveler, I have appreciated the open seating system. I am basically always able to get the B seating if I checkin 24 hours in advance.

I've been very frustrated with other airlines where you get through the whole process to buy the tickets and then realize they don't actually have any seats together, even for good money paid. (Or that the price is basically doubled because you have to pay for seats.)

I don't really understand why, for instance, the petite woman prior poster thinks she'll do better with assigned seating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate their seating policy, hated my experiences at the gate and won't fly them so for me, this means I may choose them. I imagine others must feel the dame or they wouldn'tbe changing it.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a very petite woman, I'm all for this! 100٪ I'll start flying SW again because of this.

Genuinely curious why their boarding is worse for a petite woman than someone with a different gender or body type? I’m a moderately large woman, so, hadn’t ever thought about it.

Also does anyone know when this takes effect? My family flies in 3 weeks and I’d like to know if we are going to be screwed at boarding time since we didn’t pre select seats (obviously)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They can just as easily board last once everyone else is seated. They don’t “need” to be first. Or they can just pay for it.

Which would hold up departure for the time it takes to get them on. I have no dog in this fight. I don’t fly Southwest ever but some people truly do need this. Have you ever seen a video of how wheelchair users have to get on the plane? Google it. You want the plane waiting for them to take off? Better to do it first then board and immediately leave.

What do you think everyone is doing while they slowly get on the plane? They are waiting for them. 10 mins is 10 mins whether on the front end or the backend. Now your parents can reserve the first few seats on the plane and everyone can get on more efficiently and fairly.

But you can wait at a seat or having your bags set down instead in line lugging your crap. It actually is better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate their seating policy, hated my experiences at the gate and won't fly them so for me, this means I may choose them. I imagine others must feel the dame or they wouldn'tbe changing it.

+1

This is me too. We were forced to fly them recently and I remembered how annoying the open seating practice is. At our destination for our return flight (not in the US) it was a complete free for all at the gate and the agents weren't even checking who had A,B,C. As a result, an actual fight broke out on the plane in the middle of boarding and we all had to wait while security handled it. And yes, people save seats when they have As. It just adds anxiety. I'd rather pay some amount of money and reserve my seat and not deal with that BS.