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:
The airline plans to gradually phase in more overnight flights as part of a multiyear transformation to a 24-hour operation.