---
title: Southwest Airlines Ushers in Big Changes
description: Southwest Airlines Ushers in Big Changes
image: https://blog.atlastravel.com/hubfs/AT%20Blog_The%20Compass/2024%20Images/8.2024%20Hero%20Images_800x418/3.png
---
[Skip to main content](https://blog.atlastravel.com/southwest-airlines-ushers-in-big-changes#main)
[ ](https://blog.atlastravel.com)
- [Home](https://blog.atlastravel.com)
- Show submenu for Categories Categories
- [Industry News](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/industry-news)
- [Supplier News](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/supplier-news)
- [Technology & Product](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/technology-product-news)
- [Regulations & Compliance](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/regulations-compliance)
- [Tips & How-To's](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/tips-how-tos)
- [Meetings & Incentives](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/meetings-incentives)
- [Inside Atlas](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/inside-atlas)
Open main navigation
Close main navigation
- [Home](https://blog.atlastravel.com)
- Show submenu for Categories Categories
- Categories
- [Industry News](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/industry-news)
- [Supplier News](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/supplier-news)
- [Technology & Product](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/technology-product-news)
- [Regulations & Compliance](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/regulations-compliance)
- [Tips & How-To's](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/tips-how-tos)
- [Meetings & Incentives](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/meetings-incentives)
- [Inside Atlas](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/inside-atlas)
- Search
- [Subscribe](https://blog.atlastravel.com/southwest-airlines-ushers-in-big-changes#subscribe)
[Subscribe](https://blog.atlastravel.com/southwest-airlines-ushers-in-big-changes#subscribe)
Search
# Southwest Airlines Ushers in Big Changes
by [Mimi Cleary](https://blog.atlastravel.com/author/mimi-cleary)
August 12, 2024 9:45 AM
Southwest Airlines has announced it will get rid of its open seating policy to implement assigned seating. Though the airline has been known for its unique open seating for more than 50 years, Southwest reports that the customer’s needs have evolved with more travelers preferring longer flights where a seat assignment is in place.
By moving to an assigned seating model, the carrier expects to broaden its appeal and attract more flying for its current and future customers.
Additionally, Southwest plans to redesign cabins to include premium extended legroom seats, a feature increasingly favored by customers, according to Southwest’s research. Although specific cabin layout details are still being finalized, the airline anticipates that approximately one-third of its seats will offer extended legroom. These changes to the seating and boarding model are slated for implementation in 2025.
"Moving to assigned seating and offering premium legroom options will be a transformational change that cuts across almost all aspects of the company," said Southwest CEO Bob Jordan. "Although our unique open seating model has been a part of Southwest Airlines since our inception, our thoughtful and extensive research makes it clear this is the right choice – at the right time – for our customers, our people and our shareholders.”
The carrier also unveiled a Valentine's Day 2025 launch date for its long-planned inception of red-eye flying. Tickets for the five initial redeye flights are now on sale. The routes include:
- **Las Vegas to Baltimore**
- **Las Vegas to Orlando**
- **Los Angeles to Baltimore**
- **Los Angeles to Nashville**
- **Phoenix to Baltimore**
The airline plans to gradually phase in more overnight flights as part of a multiyear transformation to a 24-hour operation.
[](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.atlastravel.com%2Fsouthwest-airlines-ushers-in-big-changes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.atlastravel.com%2Fsouthwest-airlines-ushers-in-big-changes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [](mailto:?subject=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.atlastravel.com%2Fsouthwest-airlines-ushers-in-big-changes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail&body=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.atlastravel.com%2Fsouthwest-airlines-ushers-in-big-changes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)
**Categories:**
[Supplier News](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/supplier-news)
Post by [Mimi Cleary](https://blog.atlastravel.com/author/mimi-cleary)
August 12, 2024 9:45 AM
Mimi Cleary is the Vice President of Supplier Relations & Strategic Sourcing at Atlas Travel. In her role, she leads Atlas Travel’s supplier relations and sourcing strategy, specializing in relationship management, contract negotiation and service delivery. She is responsible for developing and fostering partnerships with air, hotel, rental car, limousine and rail vendors throughout the travel industry. After receiving her degree in Communications from Tulane University, Mimi started her career in travel and brings her 40 years of industry experience to Atlas Travel & Technology Group’s Executive Team.
[Follow me on my website](https://atlastravel.com) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimi-cleary-551a9b12/)
### Related Articles
##### [ Supplier News • April 28, 2026 2:23 PM U.S. Airlines Raised Bag Fees Again. What it Costs and How to Save. 3 min read](https://blog.atlastravel.com/u.s.-airlines-raised-bag-fees-again.-what-it-costs-and-how-to-save)
##### [ Industry News • January 27, 2026 10:00 AM Which U.S. Airlines Offer Free Wi-Fi and How to Access It 3 min read](https://blog.atlastravel.com/which-u.s.-airlines-offer-free-wi-fi-in-2026-how-to-access-it)
##### [ Industry News • November 24, 2025 4:31 PM Rewards Programs Are Changing: From JetBlue-United to Hawaiian-Alaska 3 min read](https://blog.atlastravel.com/airline-rewards-programs-are-changing-from-jetblue-united-to-hawaiian-alaska)
###### Explore Categories
- [Industry News](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/industry-news)
- [Supplier News](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/supplier-news)
- [Inside Atlas](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/inside-atlas)
- [Regulations & Compliance](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/regulations-compliance)
- [Meetings & Incentives](https://blog.atlastravel.com/tag/meetings-incentives)
###### Recent Posts
- [Atlas Travel & Technology Group Releases 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility Report](https://blog.atlastravel.com/atlas-travel-technology-group-releases-2025-corporate-social-responsibility-report)
- [Reflections from Global Meetings Industry Day 2026](https://blog.atlastravel.com/reflections-from-global-meetings-industry-day-2026)
- [Atlas Travel & Technology Group Appoints New Chief Financial Officer](https://blog.atlastravel.com/atlas-travel-technology-group-appoints-new-chief-financial-officer)
- [U.S. Airlines Raised Bag Fees Again. What it Costs and How to Save.](https://blog.atlastravel.com/u.s.-airlines-raised-bag-fees-again.-what-it-costs-and-how-to-save)
- [Case Study: How Strategic Incentive Travel Programs Drive Retention, Recruitment and ROI](https://blog.atlastravel.com/a-case-study-how-strategic-incentive-travel-programs-drive-retention-recruitment-and-roi)
### Welcome to *The Compass*
To keep readers on course, this publication will explore a wide range of key topics, such as supplier updates, emerging technologies, travel regulations, meetings & incentives and more. *The Compass* also features thoughtful articles and editorials penned from Atlas Travel’s top professionals, offering strategic and expert perspectives in the ever-evolving travel landscape.
True to its name, *The Compass* serves as a guiding resource, pointing readers towards timely, relevant news needed to navigate the complexities of modern travel with confidence.
## Subscribe to The Compass Newsletter
Get the best in industry news, delivered to your inbox monthly.
- [Home](https://blog.atlastravel.com)
- [Cookie Policy](https://atlastravelandtechnology.com/attg-cookie-policy/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://atlastravelandtechnology.com/attg-global-privacy-policy/)
©2026 by Atlas Travel & Technology Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
-
-
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Mimi Cleary",
"url" : "https://blog.atlastravel.com/author/mimi-cleary"
},
"dateModified" : "2025-09-08T16:02:32.861Z",
"datePublished" : "2024-08-12T13:45:00.000Z",
"headline" : "Southwest Airlines Ushers in Big Changes",
"image" : [ "https://blog.atlastravel.com/hubfs/AT%20Blog_The%20Compass/2024%20Images/8.2024%20Hero%20Images_800x418/3.png" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://blog.atlastravel.com/southwest-airlines-ushers-in-big-changes",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://blog.atlastravel.com/hubfs/at_750_300.fw.png"
},
"name" : "Atlas Travel & Technology Group"
}
}
```