Southwest Airways has made a number of changes to its seating insurance policies lately, however as we speak, it introduced its largest change but. Based on an organization press launch, Southwest is formally eliminating open seating. However whereas the service is highlighting the shift as a technique to “meet evolving Buyer preferences,” not everyone seems to be thrilled. The truth is, some passengers at the moment are threatening to boycott Southwest over the “devastating” change.
RELATED: Southwest Passengers Demand Airline Put an Finish to Early Boarding “Rip-off.”
Within the press launch, Southwest outlined a number of impending modifications, which embody new premium seat choices, a redesigned boarding mannequin, the reintroduction of redeye flights, and assigned seating. The airline acknowledged that it has change into recognized for its “distinctive open seating mannequin”—which permits clients to select their seat after they get on the airplane—for over 50 years. Nonetheless, Southwest is making modifications after “intensive analysis,” including that clients really want seating assignments (significantly on longer flights).
“The analysis is obvious and signifies that 80% of Southwest Prospects, and 86% of potential Prospects, want an assigned seat,” the discharge reads. “When a Buyer elects to cease flying with Southwest and chooses a competitor, open seating is cited because the primary purpose for the change. By transferring to an assigned seating mannequin, Southwest expects to broaden its enchantment and entice extra flying from its present and future Prospects.”
However on Reddit, some frequent flyers stated they really feel the precise reverse.
“That is actually devastating,” one Redditor wrote in response to the modifications. “I liked open seating and I say that as somebody who flies out of [Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport] to [Orlando International Airport] and sometimes caught with a late b boarding quantity.”
In a separate Reddit thread, one other traveler known as the change “tragic,” whereas another person famous that the seating coverage was what made Southwest stand out.
“Open seating was wonderful for Single fliers and even {couples} on most flights. Unhappy to see this go. No totally different than every other service now,” a Redditor wrote.
On account of the brand new assigned seating mannequin, some vacationers say they will go for one other airline sooner or later.
“Actually that was the one good factor left about Southwest, and I in all probability will not ever fly them anymore,” a remark reads.
One other wrote, “Nicely, it will finish my heavy use of Southwest in all probability. Southwest is not the most cost effective by a mile already, however I take advantage of them as a result of I at all times get an honest quantity of leg room. With this modification, I do not see a purpose to decide on Southwest over every other airline. Possibly it will make them cash, idk, but it surely’s gonna lose them my enterprise.”
RELATED: Southwest Rolling Out Controversial New Seats: “Is There an Choice to Stand?”
Not everyone seems to be upset concerning the finish of open seating, after all. Some Redditors stated the writing was on the wall, as flyers have change into “quite a bit much less civil.”
“Actually the open seating factor felt just like the starvation video games,” one consumer noticed. “You needed to bear in mind to verify in proper because it opened and scramble just about with everybody else to click on the button first, so you bought a great spot in line.”
Some additionally stated that they had been by no means a fan of the open seating coverage—or would not even ebook with the airline due to it.
“I’m a kind of people who wouldn’t ebook Southwest as a result of open seating. Nonetheless, I do really feel the market benefitted from having such a novel selection accessible, and I had loads of different choices from which to decide on,” a Redditor wrote.
One other voiced assist for the change, writing, “As a semi-frequent flyer of Southwest Airways, I’ve by no means actually appreciated the open seating. Glad they’re eliminating it.”
Southwest did not embody specifics on when the coverage modifications would go into impact, however clients are cautious that different modifications might be coming down the pike. Particularly, vacationers concern that the service will quickly dispose of beloved perks like no change charges and free checked luggage.
“Disappointing. I assume I must re-evaluate my loyalty to [Southwest] as a result of now that they’ve jumped into the race to the underside—it is solely a matter of time till they begin including issues checked bag/change charges as nicely,” a Redditor speculated.
The airline didn’t point out any modifications to its baggage charges or change charges within the press launch. In an announcement to Greatest Life, a Southwest spokesperson confirmed that the bag coverage stays in place.
