Southwest Airlines has announced plans to introduce seat assignments and premium seating options on all flights.
During its quarterly financial results in April 2024, the airline revealed that it was examining traveler preferences, particularly regarding seating during boarding. According to research conducted by the airline, assigned seating is favored by 80% of existing customers and 86% of potential customers.
In addition to the assigned seating, Southwest will be launching premium seating options with extended legroom, which many customers have expressed a preference for. Approximately one-third of the seats across the fleet will offer a premium seating option.
“Moving to assigned seating and offering premium legroom options will be a transformational change,” Bob Jordan, President, CEO, & Vice Chairman of the Board stated in a press release. “We have been building purposefully to this change as part of a comprehensive upgrade to the Southwest experience as we focus on Customer expectations – and it will unlock new sources of revenue consistent with our laser focus on delivering improved financial performance.”
Southwest will also begin offering ‘red-eye’ flights from February 14, 2025. The first overnight flights are scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas from Baltimore and Orlando; in Los Angeles from Baltimore and Nashville; and in Phoenix from Baltimore.
Ryan Green, Chief Commercial Officer of Southwest, has been designated to lead these changes, which are a part of Southwest’s ongoing modernization efforts.
In the past two years, the airline has improved its onboard offers with faster Wi-Fi, in-seat power, and larger overhead bins. Additionally, the carrier is working on a refreshed cabin design, featuring new, more comfortable RECARO seats.