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Southwest Airlines is allocating seats, ending a policy of free seat allocation that has existed for over 50 years

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It is the end of an era at Southwest Airlines.

After more than 50 years, the airline is abolishing its open seating policy.

In a press release Thursday, the Dallas-based airline acknowledged that “preferences have changed and more customers are taking longer flights where assigned seating is preferred.” The airline hopes that switching to assigned seating and revamping the boarding process will make Southwest more attractive to both new and existing customers. Four out of five customers prefer assigned seats, according to the airline, which did not give an exact date for the change. More details are expected in late September.

Seat assignment is just one of several major operational changes. Southwest also plans to introduce premium seating options and overnight flights on all flights.

“While specific cabin layout details are still in the planning stages, Southwest expects approximately one-third of the seats across the fleet will offer increased legroom comparable to narrow-body aircraft in the industry,” the airline said.

Southwest unveiled a cabin modernization earlier this year and is in the midst of modernizing its fleet. Changes have been announced for 2022, including USB chargers on the seats and better WiFi.

Bookings for the airline's new night flights will open from Thursday. The first night flights will land next Valentine's Day in five initial nonstop markets:

  • From Las Vegas to Baltimore
  • From Las Vegas to Orlando
  • From Los Angeles to Baltimore
  • From Los Angeles to Nashville
  • From Phoenix to Baltimore

The airline plans to eventually offer night flights in other markets and offer 24-hour operations.

The comprehensive changes aim to create added value for both customers and investors.

“Our goal is to restore industry-leading margins and historic shareholder returns through our comprehensive plan to execute transformative commercial initiatives, improved operating efficiencies and capital allocation discipline,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest's president, CEO and vice chairman, in a separate press release announcing second-quarter earnings. Operating income increased 4.5% year-over-year to reach a historic quarterly high of $7.4 billion.

The airline's earnings have been under pressure in recent quarters, in part because of delays in Boeing's aircraft deliveries that have impacted revenue and exacerbated cost pressures. Southwest is also facing pricing pressure as industry-wide overcapacity has depressed domestic airfares.

Contributors: Reuters

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