Southwest Airlines to introduce extra-legroom seats and assigned seating changes in May

The airline plans a "soft launch," which will see the upgraded planes enter service quietly. Maintenance crews in Denver, Phoenix, Houston, and Atlanta are tasked with implemeting these upgrades. "I think it'll be a nice surprise when customers walk on," Ryan Green, Southwest's former Executive Vice President, remarked earlier this year.

Customers with A-group boarding and those with A-List elite status or pre-boarding options like EarlyBird will have a better chance of securing an extra-legroom seat. Southwest's Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson assured, "An increasing percentage as you go throughout the year."

Apart from adding extra-legroom seats, the retrofitting process will bring other changes. Aircraft will receive in-seat power outlets and larger overhead bins. The standard seat pitch in the 737-800 and MAX 8 cabins will decrease slightly from 32 inches to 31 inches to accommodate these changes.

Post-summer, retrofits will also begin on the smaller 737-700 aircraft where legroom will remain unchanged. The airline's transition away from open seating includes planned changes to benefits for A-List elite members and Rapid Rewards credit cardholders. In May, checked baggage fees will be implemented, ending the "bags fly free" policy.