Southwest Airlines plans to transition from open seating to assigned seating due to 80% customer preference.

Southwest Airlines plans to shift from its long-standing open seating model to an assigned seating system, responding to customer preference—80% favor assigned seats. This decision follows a 2006 test of the WILMA boarding method, which showed a 20% increase in boarding speed. Despite initial concerns about brand impact, the airline is now reconsidering assigned seating as competitors benefit financially from such arrangements. Further details will be announced soon.

September 24, 2024
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