Southwest Airlines has long stood out among other major air carriers for its unique open boarding policy. But according to a recent announcement, that policy is about to end, along with a few other changes to the company’s operations.
After more than 50 years, Southwest will transition to a new assigned seating process that will also offer passengers the option to purchase premium seating with extra legroom. This change is designed to provide more comfort and convenience to our passengers. Announced in a late July press release, the airline has yet to mention precisely when this new seating policy will roll out.
Many travelers fear that this policy change will put Southwest in the same ranks as most competitors, charging customers to choose seats, especially the premium options. Southwest, however, claims that most of its passengers dislike the company’s open boarding policy.
“80 percent of Southwest customers, and 86 percent of potential customers, prefer an assigned seat,” Southwest noted in the press release, adding that “when a customer elects to stop flying with Southwest and chooses a competitor, open seating is cited as the number one reason for the change.”
Southwest will transition to a new assigned seating process
Another significant change coming to Southwest Airlines is the introduction of its first-ever red-eye flights. Due to launch in February, booking is already available on the overnight routes, including Las Vegas to Baltimore and Orlando, Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville, and Phoenix to Baltimore.
Southwest plans to add more red-eye routes throughout 2025, a change that the airline’s CEO Bob Jordan says is a “logical evolution” for the company. This expansion opens up new travel possibilities and demonstrates our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our passengers.
“We have the aircraft. It’s a great way to use an asset you already have more productively, meaning more hours in the day,” Jordan told The Dallas Morning News in March. So, we will be doing red-eyes.”
According to Southwest Chief Commercial Officer Ryan Green, who spoke at a travel conference in March, the airline could operate as many as 50 red-eye flights per day once launched.
“We have to be maniacally focused on efficiency,” Green told The Washington Post. This commitment to efficiency ensures that we can continue to provide high-quality service while adapting to our passengers’ changing needs.
