The Major Changed At Southwest Airlines

[@averagejoe9249]

Southwest doesn't charge extra for 2 checked bags and a carry on. The seat pitch is 32 inches in most planes. It's superior to actual budget airlines. Southwest is very decent.

[@lilseedy_boi2749]

Southwest and JetBlue are a low cost airlines. Spirit, frontier and those airlines are Ultra low cost airlines. Southwest is still a budget airline technically

[@hughjass-pz3cp]

you think SWA is gonna start operating out of bush, o'hare, and dfw?

[@nntflow7058]

Their prices are not low cost though. More like cheaper than mainline.

[@brandoncole5533]

Im scared that they're gonna take away the 2 checked bags for free

[@You_are_Right_]

@@nntflow7058then don’t fly.

[@marksullivan7746]

Abuse of pre-boards is the #1 issue with SWA - they take up the first 3-6 rows. I fly American and Delta who have few if any pre-boards.

[@lovedfriend2020]

American sucks, and they just ban me for NO reason at all.

[@cc-zn2ty]

This unfortunately correct. It leaves little to no incentive to pay for A-group or Biz select whenever 20 people with an "apparent illness" gets to cut in front of everyone without paying a dime.

[@jdm1039]

​@@cc-zn2tyAnd most are "cured" when the plane reaches the destination.

[@manojtopiwala7454]

And, so, what about the people who really are handicap & are in need of extra time boarding? Is it fair, & even considerate, to overlook them, just as you so flippantly did in this forum?🤨

[@JasonWoolridge]

The Southwest App can be more user friendly

[@rockyshore7017]

It's surprising that they've waited this long to offer redeyes. That's not the kind of flying I care to do, but it seems to fit perfectly with the SWA approach of keeping the aircraft in the air as much as possible.

[@ronparrish6666]

Does that mean now there wont be 10 people in wheelchairs trying to preboard and there's nothing wrong with them

[@Frank_Rizzo100]

I never used a wheelchair. I just said I needed to preboard and just walked on like nothing was wrong.

[@manojtopiwala7454]

And, so, what about the people who really are handicap & are in need of extra time boarding? Is it fair, & even considerate, to overlook them, just as you so flippantly did in this forum?🤨

[@ronparrish6666]

@@manojtopiwala7454 nothing wrong with the people that need The wheelchair to board it's the ones that take advantage of it and can do the one minute mile in the parking lot soon as they get of the plane like the kids that borrow there parents car with the handicapped sticker in the windshield to go to Walmart and there's nothing wrong with them just saying there's lots of abuse

[@zekeonstormpeak4186]

You know free bags will be going away soon.

[@jicalzad]

this is what i fear. Hope it stays, but wouldn't be surprised if it goes away

[@brandoncole5533]

Definitely. Just hoping it lasts until after i go on vacation next year. Thats their real saving grace. Base fair Prices are high but what helps them in comparison to others is the fact that they include 2 bags, a carry on, and a personal item into that price this being cheaper by about 100 dollars than others

[@daveb2280]

@@brandoncole5533 Southwest fares are the same if not higher than the legacy's. And just having a legacy credit card usually gives you two free checked bags so it's not a perk unique to Southwest for the seasoned traveler. All things being equal why fly Southwest? There are better amenities and perks flying the legacy's where there are very little if any pre-boards pretending in wheelchairs.

[@yebo69]

Open seating solves a HUGE American problem: there are HUGE Americans. Assigned seating is a giant gamble that you'll be wedged between obese blobs who should've been required to buy 2 tickets. I've been the victim of lax obese pax rules and shared an assigned 3 seat row position with 2X 300lb blobs. Also, open seating affords solo travelers the opportunity to grab a middle seat up front, especially when it is between 2 normies. WN really just needs to find a way to let people purchasing separately to group up and board at the same time, thats usually why people are blocking seats. Also, agreed the first come first serve on boarding position could change and be based on fare + loyalty + purchase method (eg WN credit card). In summary, open seating is why I choose WN over all other airlines. I'm moving to Europe so if WN really does ditch open, it won't affect me.

[@Finn-hj4jy]

Fat people can get a second seat for free on Southwest, and I doubt that is going away, so i don’t know if this is really going to become an issue

[@C.Q_Wilkenson]

As much as I will miss open seating. The toxic atmosphere when boarding was just too much. People with aisle seats pretending to be asleep or having their trays down with headphones plugged in.

[@mentonerodominicano]

I didn't mind the open seating, but the check-in stress to get a good boarding position was a bit annoying. I think it would be cool for them to experiment with the boarding positions based on people's seats to find faster ways to board. Other airlines just assign people to "random" zones and I think Southwest could be a bit more creative with that.

[@Ride1098]

Open seating is only an issue when you are flying with multiple people. Flying by yourself, open seating is actually easier.

[@JessicaSmith-yj6fu]

I JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED ANOTHER AIRLINE THAT USES OPEN SEETING WHICH IS DENVER AIR CONNECTION

[@dylanshaffer2184]

They have the best snacks in the air!

[@MrHav1k]

I actually like these changes. I'm more likely to fly them now.

[@lumingguan]

You have to maximize checked bags to realize value out of Southwest, otherwise legacy airlines are more competitive for carry-on only passengers.

[@ElmarLecher]

Southwest is not using windows 3.1. That was a (misunderstood) joke.

[@ianhart356]

No doubt SWA "following the herd" reduces reduces Customer choice. Pity.

[@LordVader5738]

Next change should be to come up with a class/tier without checked bags and only carry-on and personal item. Charge me a bit less for no checked luggage! I never check luggage anyway.

[@cameronlewis1218]

Herb Kelleher OFTEN said that it’s change or die. People who actually know about SWA can all confirm that… 😊

[@danburnette7674]

True of what Herb said but Gary Kelly and Bob Jordan didn't burn that bridge with their employees and customers they NAPALMED it.

[@floridaman9314]

Bruh I actually like the open seat model

[@lakeratatouille]

I used to hate open seating, but then figured out the hack to open seating. It's the best way to sit in the front of the plane. Get in sit down and lets go. Even if my wife and I were on the same flight we jump into the first seats we could. It doesn't work for late boarders who don't check in on their flights to get an A or B boarding pass. This dude is going to turn southwest into spirit and basically run it into the ground and at the same time short the stock and blaming on previous leaders why it failed. While making millions in the market.

[@daveb2280]

Business travelers are the main target for airlines which Southwest has lost many over the years. Those customers are long gone and will not return because of these new changes. The same people who gripe about not having open seating will still fly Southwest. The airline industry has gotten very competitive with fewer options as airline mergers continue (Alaska/Hawaiian the most recent). Soon Southwest will charge for checked bags. It has no choice if it wants to compete.

[@jshotwell454]

Truly open seating was the number ONE reason I hated flying to SWA! Absolutely hated it! So glad they’re changing

[@eamonahern7495]

I'm in favour of assigned seating. I like to have a seat before boarding a plane. Even trains in Ireland offer bookable seats nowadays. I'm not sure how the other changes will go given that they're profit rather than passenger comfort motivated. If the complimentary snacks and no extra charge checked bags go, I hope they lose money as a result and bring them back to increase passenger numbers.

[@bascombgrecian6631]

I LUV open seating. SWA, should not change the seating plan. I am a customer who won't fly any other airline because SWA has open seating and I have always thought it is GREAT.

[@gj1234567899999]

I liked the open seating. This assigned seating is a big minus for me

[@johnh2527]

Does Southworst Airlines do any maintenance on their aircraft?

[@jeremyhargrave7072]

If they fixed the pre-boarding issue they probably could have retained some customers

[@cameronlewis1218]

You need to read the ADA OF 1990. Nobody can “fix” that…. 😢

[@daveb2280]

Essentially, by getting rid of open seating they fixed the pre-boarding issue. Now that these pre-boards will have an assigned seat just watch how very few wheelchairs there are.

[@jonathankleinow2073]

My guess is that preferred seats (exit rows, front half of the cabin) will probably cost something equivalent to what they charge for Earlybird Check-In now. They'll probably charge a higher amount than that for the first few rows of "premium" seating. Not sure what extra perks they can provide for premium service aside from maybe free alcoholic beverages. I could even see them going down to one free checked bag instead of two. If the activist investors try to turn it into a ULCC by charging for every bag and getting rid of free drinks and snacks, though, I think the backlash would be pretty nasty.

[@skylaryarbrough3359]

Very stupid decision I didn’t look at southwest as a ULCC Love the open seat selection, made loading a plan so much faster

[@rictech.]

I’m over it

[@joebaillar]

The investor is going to regret this.

[@TheWolfHowling]

I'm certain that it was not unappreciated that selling assignments is almost pure profit. I can't imagine that it costs much of anything to accomplish but the airlines are charging us five, ten dollars for the privilege of choosing one of the same economy seats are all the others

[@erikjohnson9931]

The real problem that they dont talk about is the fact that when they had open seating for years the planes were only 70% full. Now the planes are 90% to almost completely full so fights break out and the planes are like sardine cans crammed with people. They now need a true business class and then I would fly them.

[@John-bi1lv]

Not your airline if looking for that

[@Love2Cruise]

My company only allows economy class for domestic flights. Business class is only allowed on international flights over 7 hours. SWA's economy seat pitch is better than every other US airlines'.

[@erikjohnson9931]

@@John-bi1lv I realize that as I am platinum on Delta and Gold on Air Canada. I like Southwest for their friendly staff and the no nonsense fares. Quite a few of these carriers are realizing that by adding larger seats up front they can grab some extra cash from business travelers.

[@erikjohnson9931]

@@Love2Cruise I own my own company so i can choose how I fly…with that being said I also look at the value and honestly for flights around 3 hours or less I am fine in coach. When I do cross continent or overseas I go business class. I know that most companies have strict policies on how there employees can book travel, so I know your situation.

[@John-bi1lv]

@@erikjohnson9931 We shall see how Southwest handles the additional complexity that comes along with such a move to chase more revenue. They don't excel at complexity in operations and such a shift in strategy will take years to fully implement.

[@mjo8856]

Careful what you wish for, it just may end up getting worse.

[@jaws848]

Thought this was a budget airline along the lines of Ryanair or Easy Jet?

[@Supertobias7]

Not really, Southwest is quite expensive compared to Ryanair and Easy Jet. In the US budget airlines are more expensive then European budget airlines.

[@flyboy98]

Correct. And in some cases SW is more expensive than United or Delta.

[@jaws848]

@@flyboy98 really?.....gues i was wrong.thanks for the info

[@jaws848]

@@Supertobias7 awesome.....wasn't aware of that.....thanks for the info

[@Prodagist]

They take some practices from budget airlines, being that they only operate one plane type, the 737. This keeps costs moderately low for them, which is pretty necessary in the U.S. airline market given just how much competition there is. In terms of pricing and cabin experience, though, they differ significantly from budget airlines.

[@steve11263]

I have never considered SouthWest because of this

[@steve11263]

Now they just need to get some airbus, then they'll be on my radar

[@brandoncole5533]

Definitely not thats what keeps them low cost and maintians the two free checked bag policy by having consistent weight. More types would probablt kill the airline because who the hell would fly it then

[@davidlustig1834]

investor bankers take over, how long until bankruptcy

[@lucasbeven4941]

I avoid Southwest because I hate their open seating. I'll be sure to give them another try.

[@greglight3745]

And Hawaiian air A330 have a capacity of 278.

[@nmsoundengineer]

So disappointed as a long time SWA loyalist and AList+ member. Paid seating ruins everything about this airline

[@sasharenier9900]

I fly Southwest all the time, and I love their open seating model. This is an obvious money grab by the new investor group, who doesn't care at all about the passenger experience, just money. I am a lot less likely to fly Southwest with the new assigned seating plan, and I hope this backfires for the airline so those greedy investors learn a lesson.

[@Leopard_2A6german]

Hello

[@kennethpowell2079]

Folks do have disabilities that need to preboard that arent seen especially if you have diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis or Chrons Disease which you need to board early so you can get an aisle seat so you have access to the bathroom. So not all disabilities are visible

[@hughjass-pz3cp]

the dumbest thing i ever saw was a SWA plane flying into HNL. do they get two bags of peanuts on that flight? what right thinking person would fly out of OAK? and SWA does it twice a day to HNL. odd that AA to HNL from TUL is $100 cheaper than SWA.

[@daveb2280]

Alaska has been flying into HNL longer than SWA from CA, OR, WA and uses the same 737. Food for purchase is usually available or just pick up some food to go in the airport.

[@JasonWoolridge]

Southwest needs to up the ante on they're aircraft fleet the Boeing Aircraft aren't getting any newer

[@animegamingdude]

not much they can do until the max 7 gets certified

[@hughofIreland]

It’s an unambiguously bad move. The rapid turnaround is due to open seating. We’ll see what happens, but I predict a buying opportunity for Southwest around the same time that the management team is fired.

[@isat5693]

I will miss the death race

[@texasgrillchef8581]

Yeah don’t like the new southwest, and I’m not the only one.

[@scottyc7739]

Elementary school airlines growing up? "Don't sit by me, you've got kooties!" And retiring the Commodore 64 reservation system? Oh my! However, I'll never fly them again knowing they pushed Boeing (very hard) to cover up the MCAS system on the MAX and that no pilot training was needed. Far as I'm concerned they have blood on their hands.

[@rickhammer1905]

It is moving in the right direction!!

[@fjtpersian6566]

Moving to the wrong direction ,it's going to be like United Airlines and Spirit Airlines penny pinching .

[@billmeeker774]

I don't want Southwest to be just the exact same as the DEI United Airlines or American Airlines or Delta that could care less about the passengers in my experience.

[@TP-1234]

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[@danburnette7674]

Southwest Airlines has need an Overhaul in Leadership for the longest time. The one time famous Southwest Airlines Culture Flatlined a long long time ago. Southwest Leadership never follows up with its loyal employee base when their are issues and that can be said about its loyal customer base as well. Good riddance soon to Bob Jordan, Gary Kelly, The Board of Directors, and the rest of the Southwest Airlines corporate stooges. I have a book coming out in the future about the Darkside of SWA.

[@cameronlewis1218]

Oh, you’re writing a book?! So that makes you knowledgeable AND unbiased…. 🥸

[@danburnette7674]

@@cameronlewis1218 I was a former close to 17 yr Southwest employee and my wife is a current 22 yr Southwest employee. In addition Cameron i was a 25 plus yr Professional Wrestler and part of my book will be about my 25 plus in Wrestling. In 2005 i started with Southwest and it was a decent company but as the years went by it became an airline and company of never wanting to follow up with its employees and customers. I also was a Union Rep at a few of the Southwest Cities i worked at. Very dirty company and i have a belief that Southwest had a hand in taking down The Boeing Whistleblower, John Barnett. I am currently in 2 lawsuits against Southwest and my former Union which has the backing and support of EEOC. At 65 it's a question of whether i'll be around whatever the Jury awards me. A portion of the proceeds will be going to Wounded Warriors plus i have an interest from a former child actor who i knew from my wrestling days who is interested in taking my story into a TV movie.

[@danburnette7674]

@@cameronlewis1218 I had 17 yrs with Southwest while my wife just hit her 22nd yr with Southwest. My book will be about my 25 plus yrs as a Professional Wrestler then transition into my 2005 start with Southwest Airlines. Great company at one time but once Herb and Colleen left it resulted in the once famous Southwest Airline Culture to Flatline. I wish i could feel different but both Bob Jordan and Gary Kelly destroyed a great company. Gary and Bob , The Board of Directors , and other Southwest Leaders thought that the ride would last forever and there would be zero accountability to any of them when they screwed up which is quite often. There is a chapter in my book of an actual situation that happened last year . The Chapter is titled " Yes bartender i will have 2 Bud Lites ! " I forsee that once Elliott Management drains every nickel of equity that remains with Southwest i envision Southwest being sold or possibly Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

[@danburnette7674]

@@cameronlewis1218 Close to 17 yrs of stories during my time with Southwest plus several stories that my Southwest coworkers past and present contributed.

[@sundragon7703]

Why does this feel like "gaslighting" as a reason for changing?

[@tangoxraysierra]

This open seating thing only exists because their legacy computer systems were unable to assign seating. Source: I’m in IT management in Dallas and have friends that work at SWA IT. Truth be told, all airlines do a piss poor job managing their IT; every airline has a dirty history of technology failures under their belt. I cannot stand the open seating concept and do not fly them because of this. Why did they allow people to save seats? Talk when you get to your destination! The group of people moaning about the upcoming changes has been comical.

[@animegamingdude]

so you think the solution is to make southwest more like the big 3

[@tangoxraysierra]

@@animegamingdude I really think they’re all poor executive decision makers charged to run airlines. These folks continually make mistakes; I’ve lost so much money investing in airlines, I will never do again

[@tangoxraysierra]

@@animegamingdude Every bit of the flying experienced is trashy, isn’t it? Walking past low quality people using bags and tissues is the worst. I won’t and don’t accept this school bus behavior. I’m only taking about this because this junky school bus air might do better. Else, it’s all for you. Deal with fighting for your seat.

[@animegamingdude]

@@tangoxraysierra ok whiny baby

[@tangoxraysierra]

@@animegamingdude I was attempting to share what I know professionally and personally based on personal experience and connections. Every part of air travel is uncomfortable and jarring; I’ve traveled every week for decades and I won’t tolerate garbage behavior from passengers in the plane. Expressing ones perspective does not make them a ‘whiny baby’. I’m happy for them to keep their skybus in place; I don’t have to and won’t screw with them.

[@ljacobs357]

Horrible airline.

[@icare7151]

Southwest must dump Boeing and go with Airbus.

[@animegamingdude]

why