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Southwest Airlines is preparing to introduce assigned and extra-legroom seats next year, marking a significant change in its seating arrangements. Despite this shift, the airline will maintain its unique boarding process where passengers receive individual boarding numbers at check-in and line up single-file at the gate. Ryan Green, the Southwest executive overseeing these changes, explained that while customers appreciate the orderly boarding process, they dislike the uncertainty of seat selection. The new system aims to address both concerns.
Currently, Southwest's boarding involves lettered groups and numerical positions within those groups. This setup contrasts with traditional group boarding used by other airlines and helps prevent crowding at gates. Andrew Watterson, Southwest's chief operating officer, highlighted that their orderly process receives positive feedback from customers.
The airline's open-seating policy will be phased out next year, necessitating adjustments to products like EarlyBird check-in and Upgraded Boarding. Green confirmed that A-List elite status members and travelers with higher-priced tickets or extra-legroom seats will receive better boarding positions.
