Southwest moves to assigned seats

[Riverfamlee]

Mixed feelings on it. When I travel alone for work I like being able to get on early and pick a seat, but when I travel with the fam it can be a mission to find seats together if they dont have any status.

Southwest Airlines plans to start assigning seats, breaking with a 50-year tradition

Southwest Airlines plans to drop the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years and will start assigning passengers to seats, just like all the other big airlines.

apnews.com

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Yeah but what I don’t get is I am checking in, to the second, 24 hours in advance and I’m still stuck boarding with the C group.

Southwest would be so much better with assigned seating. I won’t feel like I’m cattle being loaded.

 

[gqchris]

Yeah but what I don’t get is I am checking in, to the second, 24 hours in advance and I’m still stuck boarding with the C group.

Southwest would be so much better with assigned seating. I won’t feel like I’m cattle being loaded.

Because you can purchase A Group access when you buy a ticket. I always do. So before midnight, I already have a seat.

 

[kurtis500]

Im on a plane 2 times a week. I switched to Delta about 4 years ago. I really got tired of the cattle call on SW to be honest. The cost to buy an A1-15 ticket is about the same as first class Delta IF (again if) the flight is under 2.5 hours. No meals and etc. Since I fly PHX and SLC I have a lot of expereince with both. SW does better in points and getting others a flight.

I wont be sad if they go to assigned seating.

 

[92562]

I fly SW 2-3 times a month and I love how quickly the points stack up. Especially when using the SW card to but the ticket. I fly out of LGB exclusively, such an easy process. I'll miss picking my seat.

 

[caribbean20]

Are you guys forgetting about the option to purchase Early Bird access. We always get A group with that. We call it Hillbilly First Class

 

[gqchris]

Im on a plane 2 times a week. I switched to Delta about 4 years ago. I really got tired of the cattle call on SW to be honest. The cost to buy an A1-15 ticket is about the same as first class Delta IF (again if) the flight is under 2.5 hours. No meals and etc. Since I fly PHX and SLC I have a lot of expereince with both. SW does better in points and getting others a flight.

I wont be sad if they go to assigned seating.

I was thinking same thing. The cattle call is what kept me off SW flights. Im sure they will increase prices from this. I bet they start charging for bags also!

 

[Sandlord]

That will free up a lot of the airports wheel chairs

 

[HNL2LHC]

Interesting move. The wife typically pays for the A number. I am thankful as my wife will set the clock and grab all my boarding passes so I don’t have to deal with it. I think that Hawaiian has come up with an interesting twist. You have comfort plus seating you pay more for. Then regular fairs. Then the cheap discounted fairs they give you the seat at the time of boarding. It does not work too well as I have seen a few heated discussions with local passengers frustrated with their selection and being the last to board the plane. I just have to chuckle with those that click the cheapest seat and not realize it comes with an added price of…..inconvenience. LOL

 

[RVR_RCN]

They need to ban wearing pajamas on the plane, amazing how some people arrive to travel. Southwest Airlines is kinda like riding the city bus!

 

[gqchris]

That will free up a lot of the airports wheel chairs

I have a friend that flys Frontier airlines all the time , I dont know how he puts up with that shit. So his wife brings a pillow case and loads it with shit they need for the trip so they avoid the baggage fee. When asked, she states its an "Emotional Support Pillow" and screams ADA.

I asked my friend why he even puts up with being such a cheap fuck. No way I could roll like that.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Because you can purchase A Group access when you buy a ticket. I always do. So before midnight, I already have a seat.

That doesn’t work when you’re flying on the govt dime, at least not in my org. They won’t buy that upgrade, and I don’t know how I’d be able to buy that upgrade on a separate transaction.

Good to know though in case I ever take SW for personal trips.

 

[McKay]

Flew on them once years ago and thought it was the stupidest thing I have ever seen. Have not flown them ever again.

 

[Warlock1]

I fly just about every week and SW was my choice. From my experience they have the most room between the seats from say United (which feels like a sardine can) and American. I am an A list at this point so I'm always at the front. I wonder how they are going to handle this?

 

[81Sprint]

The only problem I have with picking seats at purchase versus open seating is getting stuck next to some nasty mouth breather, that I could have avoided by picking a seat after entering the plane. But I hate flying for that reason anyway so

 

[gmnhra]

That will free up a lot of the airports wheel chairs

The Southwest Miracle
Wheelchair to board and preboard
No issues getting off the plane

 

[rivrrts429]

Mixed feelings on it. When I travel alone for work I like being able to get on early and pick a seat, but when I travel with the fam it can be a mission to find seats together if they dont have any status.

Southwest Airlines plans to start assigning seats, breaking with a 50-year tradition

Southwest Airlines plans to drop the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years and will start assigning passengers to seats, just like all the other big airlines.

apnews.com

I have status with SW, Alaska and Delta. I fly SW routinely when it’s short runs to PHX or Bay Area and rarely am I not A1 being the most traveled passenger on the flight. If I book with the family under only my account we typically all get within A10. That’s odd that the rest of your family can’t board relatively close to one another.

 

[kurtis500]

SW is a great option for people with small children and if you have a family with a lot of bags. We used to do ski trips with 5 of us and 10 bags plus carry on and personal item. SW was the only way to go. They also allow family boarding between A and B still...I think

 

[Your ad here]

I like assigned seating. I always board the plane last even if my group is called sooner.

 

[Singleton]

Liked how I could purchase the cheap tickets, but with my status always get an A boarding group for me and the family.

This change will most likely change that. Family flights to Denver will be more money come 2025 when this gets rolled out.

 

[gqchris]

I like assigned seating. I always board the plane last even if my group is called sooner.

Me too, even when I fly business class, i wait till last so that I dont have all the people hitting me with their bags on the way in since I always sit aisle.

 

[17 10 Flat]

This will be way better. Last trip to Puerto Rico on return flight there were no less than 30 wheelchairs with family's. FAA rules they get on first. Even with purchasing early bird about 70 people boarded, no assigned seating so they were all in the first 20 rows. Yet when plane landed at MCO they all jump up and run off the plane.

 

[rivrrts429]

I like assigned seating. I always board the plane last even if my group is called sooner.

Only issue with boarding late is the possibility overhead carry-on storage is limited near you.

I see the fuckers who throw their bag up top near the front and their seat is at the rear.

 

[pixrthis]

Good move for me, I board last no matter where I sit. Watching people stress on the whole situation makes it not worth it for me.

 

[rivrrts429]

This will be way better. Last trip to Puerto Rico on return flight there were no less than 30 wheelchairs with family's. FAA rules they get on first. Even with purchasing early bird about 70 people boarded, no assigned seating so they were all in the first 20 rows. Yet when plane landed at MCO they all jump up and run off the plane.

That’s why I stay away from flying SW into PHX during the start of Snowbird season. They can’t walk onto the plane but they sure as hell can run off of it

 

[Hypnautic]

Known this was happening for months now. But Im not positive SW will assign seats throughout the entire aircraft.
I think they may try a hybrid model where when booking it will give you an option to buy your seat. If you do not buy your seating, you will have the option to buy a higher boarding priority. If you pass on both pay options--you will be in the lower B or C boarding groups still.
So boarding would look like this. Board all paying seat PAX first, then A list preferred and those who upgraded their priority, then young children and Military and then the remaining boarding groups.
Im not 100% on this--just one option I understand they were floating the idea of. .
I also do not like to fly SW cause of the cattle call boarding system.

 

[17 10 Flat]

Only issue with boarding late is the possibility overhead carry-on storage is limited near you.

I see the fuckers who throw their bag up top near the front and their seat is at the rear.

I have in the past encountered this and at that point I engage a flight attendant. They have taken my bag and moved up to the front where first class puts coats and such. When time to exit the flight attendant has grabbed my bag and stood to the side and handed it to me as I walk off. Not Spirit........lol

 

[beaverretriever]

The Southwest Miracle
Wheelchair to board and preboard
No issues getting off the plane

This is what I hated the most about SW.

I was flying 2 weeks a month for the past two years and used SW as it flew all the places my customers were, super easy to change flights all the way up to 10min before boarding if I got stuck in a meeting or such.

I have it as good as it gets on SW being A-list Preferred as well as mybwife and I both have companion pass. If she books a trip, I fly free on her companion status, or if I book a trip, she flies free on my companion pass.

My question for those of us that are A-list, will we still get the best seats? Ill hae to look more into this.

Since I took a different position, I don't fly for business any longer so Ill lose most of my status anyway. However, my wife is gold about getting points so one of us will at least have it.

 

[lakemadness]

I'm all for it, I've been asking for years. I like Southwest for what it is, you know what you're going to get, and it's consistent. My only real complaint has been the seating issue. It sucks when you're flying with your family, it's just an unnecessary stress.

 

[gqchris]

This will be way better. Last trip to Puerto Rico on return flight there were no less than 30 wheelchairs with family's. FAA rules they get on first. Even with purchasing early bird about 70 people boarded, no assigned seating so they were all in the first 20 rows. Yet when plane landed at MCO they all jump up and run off the plane.

There is a special Karma place for people that fake disabiltys / park in Handicap Spaces etc. No remorse its amazing.

I feel like I am blessed to be able to walk and stand, although most of time I have back pain, but never would even imagine taking up resources of folks who REALLY need the help.

 

[lakemadness]

"Southwest’s unusual boarding process started as a fast way to load passengers and limit the time that planes and crews spend sitting idly on the ground, not making money. It helped the airline operate more efficiently and even squeeze a few more flights into the daily schedule."

I never believed this. How is it faster when at each row you are stopping and tripping over each other? Waiting for the person in front of you to load their bags, ask the dipshits already seated in that aisle to get up, and step out of the aisle so they can get in. Never made sense.

 

[JDKRXW]

Only issue with boarding late is the possibility overhead carry-on storage is limited near you.

I see the fuckers who throw their bag up top near the front and their seat is at the rear.

WestJet in Canada seems to be addressing this out of control carry on problem.
They added an "UltraBasic" fare which allows nothing more than a purse and NO access to the overheads. You can still pay for a checked bag.
The gate agents are watching for for what class of ticket you have as you board and what you're trying to carry on.
It's $100+ if you have to upgrade your backpack at the gate to use the overheads.

It seems to be working

 

[BHC Vic]

Are you guys forgetting about the option to purchase Early Bird access. We always get A group with that. We call it Hillbilly First Class

We get that through work I’m wondering how this will translate to assigned

 

[BHC Vic]

There is a special Karma place for people that fake disabiltys / park in Handicap Spaces etc. No remorse its amazing.

I feel like I am blessed to be able to walk and stand, although most of time I have back pain, but never would even imagine taking up resources of folks who REALLY need the help.

That’s what I tell my kids. I’m blessed to be able to park wherever and walk my ass into the store.

 

[Bigbore500r]

They need to ban wearing pajamas on the plane, amazing how some people arrive to travel. Southwest Airlines is kinda like riding the city bus!

It's all fun and games till you get stranded without your luggage at the destination

 

[havasuhusker]

Because you can purchase A Group access when you buy a ticket. I always do. So before midnight, I already have a seat.

Or just roll up in a wheel chair. Guaranteed a good seat. Then walk off at your destination. SMH - I see this all the time when I fly SW. I personally dislike the cattle call process - but 99% of the time in B boarding group so it's not bad.

 

[Outdrive1]

I don’t fly SW specifically because of the seating. I can’t sit in a middle seat. I need an isle so I can stretch my legs. If not I feel claustrophobic.

 

[Ballyhoo]

Long overdue. The amount of passengers trying to job that system is ridiculous. Trying to board early and "saving' seats for friends boarding in C group was out of hand.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

From what I've read, along with this change is also going to be a change in seat pitch... So like all the rest of the major airlines you are going to have to pay for any amount of leg room. It was good while it lasted I suppose.

 

[rivrrts429]

Long overdue. The amount of passengers trying to job that system is ridiculous. Trying to board early and "saving' seats for friends boarding in C group was out of hand.

I don’t mind the saving when it’s baseball/softball teams trying to sit together but, you’re not wrong, it’s out of hand.

 

[BIG MIKE]

I fly SW often for business and Delta with the family.

I like SW because I can book two seats for myself, get pre boarding and then get my extra seat ticket refunded both ways after I return. With preboarding I always go back 4 rows and leave the front for elderly and the disabled.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I don’t fly SW specifically because of the seating. I can’t sit in a middle seat. I need an isle so I can stretch my legs. If not I feel claustrophobic.

I go for either the seats at a bulkhead or the emergency rows over the wings. Which seem to have slightly more leg room.

A plus if you can sit in the window seat that has no seat in front of you. I used to try for this one until the door plug incident. Now I don’t trust any of the emergency window exits to sit right next to them.

 

[Gonefishin5555]

last flight i took on southwest this lady is carrying an 8 year old in her arms looked like a handicapped kid and boards last and yells out someone please give me your seat to the people sitting in the front of the plane otherwise I will have to carry my child all the way to the back of the plane. Idk why she didn't preboard or why she flew an airline without assigned seats maybe she was late arrival but I couldn't believe it. I still like southwest no bag fees my gf carries 3 bags onboard(literally a carryon suitcase a huge purse and a laptop bag) and I finally told her I aint carrying any your bags check your shit or you can deal with it all yourself.

 

[Nordie]

Shit, maybe I will get a SW credit card now. We're always going to IL, and FL and SW is usually our best option for the airports we goto. I do like flying me some Delta though.

 

[bk2drvr]

There are horror stories on every airline. I fly all the time and I fly Southwest everywhere and will continue to do so. If you fly a lot you know. Even if you like another airline better its tough to bad mouth Southwest.

 

[HNL2LHC]

The Southwest Miracle
Wheelchair to board and preboard
No issues getting off the plane

Same as Hawaiian flights to and from Vegas….

 

[Tamalewagon]

It's a pity. They are following the PSA playbook all the way down to its failure and ultimate demise.

 

[77charger]

Only issue with boarding late is the possibility overhead carry-on storage is limited near you.

I see the fuckers who throw their bag up top near the front and their seat is at the rear.

Or you get the dipshits who bring a carry on and a backpack but also put their backpack in the overhead storage so it ain’t by their feet. And it’s worse if it’s above your seat and you don’t have room for your own bag.

 

[Activated]

I have been A list preferred and have had a companion pass for over a decade. We exclusively Fly SWA and if it is a longer flight, I just pay for the upgrade to get my exit row seat. If my program gets fucked up due to this, I will be shopping airlines again.

Was SWA, then switched to US Air, lost all my status when they merged with AA and have been back with SWA since. Might be time to switch credit cards again.

 

[napanutt]

I have no SW experience.
We did all of our flights from SFO to BOS with jet blue.
I would book and pick seats in advance.
Never an issue.