Quantcast

Southwest Airlines shifts from first-come, first-served boarding to assigned seating

Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Alaska Airlines' “Aviation Day” inspires future aviators
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
Southwest Airlines shifts from first-come, first-served boarding to assigned seating
Research
Webp uefmsw7k0lt5f20uxuve40u9xjr0
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Southwest Airlines is set to move away from its first-come, first-served boarding process in favor of assigned seating, a decision that has sparked varied reactions among travelers. The airline asserts that the majority of passengers prefer assigned seats, though some loyal customers express regret over the impending change.

The current boarding system allows for flexibility and strategic seat selection, benefiting last-minute travelers and families with lap infants. "If I book tickets on American Airlines, and it’s not months in advance, I usually can’t get the better seats on the plane," one traveler noted. "With Southwest most of the seats are unassigned when I board the aircraft! That means I can switch flights or standby and still get a decent seat."

For those who enjoy controlling their travel experience, Southwest's open seating provides an opportunity to choose neighbors based on personal preferences. "There’s strategy to seat selection!" another passenger commented. "Are you going to pick a seat that’s least likely to have someone next to you? Or maybe you want to find someone small so your space isn’t encroached upon."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

However, Southwest plans to assign premium seats to maximize revenue. The airline argues that without assigned seating for these sections, they won't be able to capitalize fully on them.

Assigned seating may also address issues related to wheelchair usage during pre-boarding. Reports from Puerto Rico indicate discrepancies between the number of passengers using wheelchairs during boarding and deboarding processes. A friend shared an observation: "55 'handicapped' during pre-boarding, including 25 wheelchairs... On his return flight, 15 used wheelchairs to board, only 1 to deboard."

Despite these considerations, some frequent flyers lament the loss of a system they have mastered. One traveler shared their recent experiences: "I flew Southwest a couple of times this past week... People took the middle seat in the row in front of me and behind me. Nobody said ‘excuse me’ and asked me to move." This sense of accomplishment and control is something many will miss.

While some acknowledge that assigned seating can be beneficial under certain circumstances—such as when traveling with family—the sentiment remains mixed. As one traveler summarized: "Still, I’m going to miss Southwest’s free-for-all boarding process which gets people on the plane quickly."

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group recently announced on LinkedIn the celebration of employee participation in the Sue Gin Fund at its Honolulu facility.

Jul 1, 2025

The 2025 Paris Air Show has concluded with numerous orders placed by major aircraft manufacturers including Airbus, ATR, Boeing, and Embraer.

Jul 1, 2025

First class air travel in the United States has seen a decline, yet it remains significant for premium domestic markets.

Jul 1, 2025

Both the IAE V2500 and CFM56 families of engines are widely recognized as successful turbofans in the aviation industry.

Jul 1, 2025

Embraer and CommuteAir have entered into an agreement to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Perot Field Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jul 1, 2025

Boeing has constructed a total of 1,573 Boeing 747 aircraft, including two Air Force One models pending delivery.

Jul 1, 2025