Southwest Airlines to start assigning seats, offer extra legroom
FILE - A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 approaches San Diego International Airport for a landing from Houston on June 28, 2024, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Southwest Airlines plans to start assigning seats to travelers, as well as offering premium seating for customers who want more legroom — a move announced on Thursday that breaks a 50-year tradition for the carrier.
The airline said it’s been studying customer preferences and expectations and is making the changes because of what they've heard, but it could also generate revenue and boost financial performance.
Southwest’s open seating model
For 50 years, Southwest has used an open seating model – meaning the carrier doesn’t assign seats nor can customers choose their seats before the flight.
Instead, passengers are assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and position (1-60+) after checking in. Once on board, passengers can sit in any of the remaining seats.
But the company said that it understands that preferences have changed, with more customers taking longer flights and wanting an assigned seat.
In June, the carrier announced that it was increasing the price range of certain perks that allow passengers to board sooner and better pick their preferred seat.
Southwest to offer redeye flights
Southwest said it will offer redeye flights for the first time, as well.
Southwest said that its first overnight, redeye flights will land on Feb. 14, 2025.
The nonstop markets will include Las Vegas to Baltimore and Orlando; Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville; and Phoenix to Baltimore.
It plans to phase in additional redeye flights over time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.