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

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Airbus A380 | Airbus

By Sky Industry News

Sep 14, 2024

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."

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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."