Southwest Airlines Announces Major Changes to Boarding Process

In a significant shift after 53 years of allowing passengers to choose their own seats, Southwest Airlines has announced a new boarding process that will include assigned seating and premium seating options on all flights. The Dallas-based airline revealed these changes on Thursday, emphasizing that they are designed to enhance customer experience and improve financial performance. Southwest's president and CEO, Bob Jordan, indicated that this transformation aligns with evolving customer preferences and is part of a broader strategy to modernize the airline's offerings. The new seating arrangement will feature approximately one-third of the seats across the fleet offering extended legroom, comparable to options provided by industry competitors on narrowbody aircraft. While specific cabin layout details are still under design, the airline is committed to ensuring that any changes comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. This initiative is part of Southwest's ongoing modernization efforts, which have already included improvements such as faster WiFi, in-seat power, and more spacious overhead bins. Additionally, Southwest announced the introduction of redeye flights, with bookings available starting Thursday. The first overnight flights are set to launch on Valentine's Day 2025, connecting five initial nonstop markets, including Las Vegas and Los Angeles to Baltimore. These announcements coincided with the airline's second quarter financial results, which fell short of expectations. Jordan noted a 3.8% year-over-year decline in Revenue per Available Seat Mile (RASM) and stated that the airline is taking urgent steps to address revenue challenges while implementing long-term initiatives to foster growth.