Southwest Airlines is changing its longstanding rule of having open seating for its flights and will go to an assigned seating policy, the carrier announced.
With the move, which was announced on Thursday, July 26, 2024, the airline will be able to charge a premium for some of its seats, which will make it more difficult for budget-conscious passengers to travel for less.
Southwest also said that it will begin selling tickets to “red-eye” flights that fly overnight
Southwest said the changes are in response to passenger demand.
Southwest Airlines has had a unique seating policy known as “open seating,” which differs from the traditional assigned seating model used by most other airlines. Here’s an overview of how it works:
1. Assigned Seats
Southwest will now assign seats to passengers. This policy effectively does away with the first-come, first-served basis seats that previously allowed those boarding the aircraft to choose any available seat.
2. Boarding Groups and Positions
Passengers are assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a boarding position (a number between 1 and 60+) when they check in for their flight. The earlier you check in, the better your boarding position is likely to be. Check-in opens 24 hours before the flight’s departure time. The boarding process follows this order:
- Group A boards first, starting with A1 and ending with A60.
- Group B follows, from B1 to B60.
- Finally, Group C boards, starting from C1.
3. EarlyBird Check-In
Southwest offers an optional service called EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically checks passengers in 36 hours before the flight’s departure. This service increases the likelihood of getting a better boarding position but does not guarantee it. EarlyBird Check-In costs an additional fee per flight.
4. Business Select and A-List Priority
Passengers who purchase a Business Select fare receive a boarding position between A1 and A15. Additionally, Southwest’s A-List and A-List Preferred members (part of the airline’s loyalty program) enjoy priority boarding and are checked in automatically.
5. Family Boarding
Families with children aged six and under are allowed to board between the A and B groups, providing a better chance to find seats together.
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6. Additional Policies
Southwest Airlines also accommodates passengers with disabilities and those requiring additional assistance by allowing them to board before the general boarding groups. Additionally, passengers traveling with pets or those who need to check in items such as musical instruments may also have specific boarding considerations.
Southwest’s open seating policy is designed to simplify the boarding process and increase efficiency, However, it requires passengers to be proactive about checking in early to secure a better boarding position.
