Significant changes are on the horizon for Southwest Airlines after more than 50 years of open seating – they’re saying goodbye to that policy. The airline announced it’s switching to assigned seating, recognizing that customers are now leaning towards seat assignments, especially for longer flights. Southwest aims to attract new and existing customers by revamping its boarding process and offering assigned seats. Moreover, premium seating options and red-eye flights are also in the works. Exciting times ahead for Southwest Airlines!
“While specific cabin layout details are still in design, Southwest expects roughly one-third of seats across the fleet to offer extended legroom, in line with that offered by industry peers on narrowbody aircraft,” the airline said. Southwest introduced a cabin refresh earlier this year and is upgrading its fleet with changes announced in 2022. These changes include in-seat USB charging and improved Wi-Fi connectivity.
The airline has been experiencing financial strain in recent quarters, primarily due to delayed plane deliveries from Boeing. These delays have affected revenue and increased cost pressures. Additionally, Southwest is encountering pricing pressure as an industry-wide capacity surplus has led to lower domestic prices. The sweeping changes aim to add value for both customers and investors.
“We aim to regain industry-leading margins and historic levels of shareholder returns through our comprehensive plan. This plan involves implementing transformational commercial initiatives, improving operational efficiency, and exercising discipline in capital allocation,” stated Bob Jordan, President, CEO, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest, in a separate press release announcing the company’s second-quarter earnings.
