The Major Changes At Southwest Airlines

Sure, the airline’s 30-year-old, Windows 3.1 operating systems may have spared it from the massive global IT outage in late July… but many of Southwest Airline’s old and traditional methods of operation are now being seen as opportunities for change, leading to increased revenue and profit.

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[averagejoe]

Southwest doesn't charge extra for 2 checked bags and a carry on.
The seat pitch is 32 inches in most planes.
It's superior to actual budget airlines.
Southwest is very decent.

[marksullivan]

Abuse of pre-boards is the #1 issue with SWA - they take up the first 3-6 rows. I fly American and Delta who have few if any pre-boards.

[rockyshore]

It's surprising that they've waited this long to offer redeyes. That's not the kind of flying I care to do, but it seems to fit perfectly with the SWA approach of keeping the aircraft in the air as much as possible.

[EthanPricco]

Damn I actually preferred the open-seating model. I usually fly Southwest between college and my hometown so I’m always by myself, and I think open-seating is a lot nicer when traveling solo.

[JasonWoolridge]

The Southwest App can be more user friendly

[ronparrish]

Does that mean now there wont be 10 people in wheelchairs trying to preboard and there's nothing wrong with them

[Ride]

Open seating is only an issue when you are flying with multiple people. Flying by yourself, open seating is actually easier.

[MrHavk]

I actually like these changes. I'm more likely to fly them now.

[C.Q_Wilkenson]

As much as I will miss open seating. The toxic atmosphere when boarding was just too much. People with aisle seats pretending to be asleep or having their trays down with headphones plugged in.

[mentonerodominicano]

I didn't mind the open seating, but the check-in stress to get a good boarding position was a bit annoying. I think it would be cool for them to experiment with the boarding positions based on people's seats to find faster ways to board. Other airlines just assign people to "random" zones and I think Southwest could be a bit more creative with that.

[zekeonstormpeak]

You know free bags will be going away soon.

[JessicaSmith-yjfu]

I JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED ANOTHER AIRLINE THAT USES OPEN SEETING WHICH IS DENVER AIR CONNECTION

[yebo]

Open seating solves a HUGE American problem: there are HUGE Americans. Assigned seating is a giant gamble that you'll be wedged between obese blobs who should've been required to buy 2 tickets. I've been the victim of lax obese pax rules and shared an assigned 3 seat row position with 2X 300lb blobs.

Also, open seating affords solo travelers the opportunity to grab a middle seat up front, especially when it is between 2 normies.

WN really just needs to find a way to let people purchasing separately to group up and board at the same time, thats usually why people are blocking seats.

Also, agreed the first come first serve on boarding position could change and be based on fare + loyalty + purchase method (eg WN credit card).

In summary, open seating is why I choose WN over all other airlines. I'm moving to Europe so if WN really does ditch open, it won't affect me.

[ElmarLecher]

Southwest is not using windows 3.1. That was a (misunderstood) joke.

[floridaman]

Bruh I actually like the open seat model

[lumingguan]

You have to maximize checked bags to realize value out of Southwest, otherwise legacy airlines are more competitive for carry-on only passengers.

[cameronlewis]

Herb Kelleher OFTEN said that it’s change or die. People who actually know about SWA can all confirm that… 😊

[Banito]

Next change should be to come up with a class/tier without checked bags and only carry-on and personal item. Charge me a bit less for no checked luggage! I never check luggage anyway.

[eamonahern]

I'm in favour of assigned seating. I like to have a seat before boarding a plane. Even trains in Ireland offer bookable seats nowadays. I'm not sure how the other changes will go given that they're profit rather than passenger comfort motivated. If the complimentary snacks and no extra charge checked bags go, I hope they lose money as a result and bring them back to increase passenger numbers.

[ianhart]

No doubt SWA "following the herd" reduces reduces Customer choice. Pity.