Southwest Airlines announces major overhaul ahead of assigned seating rollout

The retrofitting process is projected at a rate of 50 to 100 jets per month, slowing during summer months due to peak travel demands. Once reconfigured, planes will return promptly to service rather than remaining grounded until the full launch of assigned seating.

In addition, Southwest plans changes for current add-on boarding products such as EarlyBird and Upgraded Boarding. These products help passengers secure an earlier spot in line under the current system. Green explained a forthcoming change: "We're going to be dynamically pricing these ancillaries as well. That's not something we do today with EarlyBird or Upgraded Boarding."

Dynamic pricing allows for fluctuation based on various factors like supply and demand—a model increasingly common across airlines. The new pricing structure could influence costs associated with Southwest's current services prior to the transition.

Southwest already employs a flexible pricing model for EarlyBird and Upgraded Boarding services; fees were increased earlier this year amidst industry-wide hikes in ancillary fees.

As Southwest moves towards implementing these substantial updates over the coming year, passengers will experience several modifications affecting their travel experience.