Southwest Airlines ends 50 years of open seating with assigned seats rollout
Southwest Airlines has concluded its long-standing open seating policy after nearly 50 years. The final flight under the old system touched down on Tuesday morning, signaling the start of a new boarding process with assigned seats. CEO Bob Jordan unveiled the change as part of a broader push to enhance efficiency and bolster profits.
The transition began in July when Southwest initiated selling tickets under the new policy. Passengers booking flights from Tuesday onward will now receive boarding passes with assigned seats and boarding groups. The airline has replaced its 'find-your-own-seat' approach with an eight-group boarding structure.
Customers can now opt to pay extra for preferred seating, including spots closer to the front or with additional legroom. Travellers requiring more space—those who cannot fit within a single seat's armrests—must purchase an additional seat in advance. To facilitate the shift, Southwest will gradually redesign gate areas, removing the numbered columns that once guided open seating. The move comes in response to pressure from investors to boost profitability, with the airline aiming to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. Passengers traveling together with nine or fewer reservations will automatically be grouped in the same boarding category. The final open-seating flight, from Honolulu to Los Angeles, landed early Tuesday, officially marking the end of Southwest's signature boarding style.
The new system takes full effect from Tuesday, with all future flights operating under assigned seating. Boarding passes will now display both seat numbers and group assignments. Southwest anticipates the changes to improve boarding efficiency while offering passengers more options for a fee.
