Southwest to abandon decades-old "choose your own seat" policy

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines announced a huge change for passengers. It will shift to assigned seats starting sometime next year.
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[@jogmas12]

I hated the unassigned seating. I always felt anxious when I was waiting to line up with my group and you had to make sure you were at the right position in line based on the number they gave you.

[@tandreayoung1731]

My family just flew with them a few days ago. My boyfriend is 6"5 and wanted to sit by the exit so that he could have leg room. A couple was sitting on the row but left the window seat empty so he asked could he sit there. For reasons I won't say they got upset because they didn't want him to sit there and started making unnecessary comments. They were traveling together so it wasn't as if they were holding the seat for someone else. The plane was 100% full to the point that they were offering perks to people to give up your seats. Sad that he had to experience this our first time every flying Southwest.

[@chipwilliams6236]

i think the assigned seats are better

[@andresinsurriaga1082]

They're not doing it based on what passengers want. Now they'll be able to charge more for premium seats.

[@arnoldceja2971]

💯

[@debrapaulsonphotography-da4857]

and yet giving an extra "free" seat to anyone who is "supersized"? That might also be what's hurting their revenues along with inflation, etc.

[@nathanhollis7584]

I don’t see any problem. Just select the seat that you want during the booking process and it will be there completely empty waiting on you, even if you’re the last one to board the plane. I think a lot of people have flown SWA exclusively and just don’t know how convenient assigned seating is.

[@dranoel51]

In some way, passengers have to CHOOSE a seat -- either as part of the booking process or onboard -- and BE SEATED before the flight begins!

[@yourshames]

To stay unique they could load the back of the plane first. They mentioned efficiency after all.

[@dranoel51]

Exactly