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Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Reveals Details About Its New Seating and Boarding Policy
The airline shared when things are changing. Southwest Airlines will debut its new assigned seating policy in January 2026, bringing an end to the airline's once signature process of open seating. The airline's new boarding procedure will go into effect for flights scheduled on and after Jan. 27, 2026, according to Southwest, during which passengers will board through group zones and sit in assigned seats. While the process won't fully roll out until next year, travelers will be able to start booking tickets and reserving seats for after the January launch starting July 29. 'Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our Customers, including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats, and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin,' Tony Roach, the executive vice president for customer and brand at Southwest, said in a statement. 'This is an important step in our evolution, and we're excited to pair these enhancements with our legendary Customer Service.' When travelers are able to choose their seat will vary depending on the type of fare they book and if they are members of Southwest's loyalty programs. Rapid Rewards Credit Card members, for example, will be able to select a seat at booking or within 48 hours of their scheduled departure (depending on which card they hold), while A-List and A-List Preferred customers will be able to select their seat at booking, all regardless of the type of fare they purchase. In addition, passengers will also have the option of purchasing a seat upgrade. Southwest said the seating policy change will offer customers more options and control over their travel experience. The new boarding process will include several groups. Top-tier loyalty members and those with premium seats will board first, while passengers traveling on a "basic" fare will board new policy has been the talk of the travel industry since as early as April 2024 when speculation started to spread as executives, including CEO Bob Jordan, made comments about the future of the airline. This is also not the first major change for Southwest this year. In May, the airline ended another long-enjoyed (and often tested) perk: its 54-year-old policy of offering free checked bags. However, travelers who are members of Southwest's loyalty program—as well as credit card holders—can still enjoy free bags when they fly. That same month, Southwest overhauled its fare classes, introducing new options of "Choice Extra," "Choice Preferred," "Choice," and "Basic." Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Solve the daily Crossword
San Francisco Chronicle
22-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
The first Southwest flights with assigned seating launch next year. Here's when
Southwest Airlines, one of the largest carriers at Bay Area airports, has finally set a date for when its new assigned seating policy will take effect. The Dallas-based carrier will begin assigning seating on flights departing Jan. 27, 2026, company executives said Monday. Starting July 29, customers can begin selecting seats for next year's flights when they are booking, officials said. Southwest is the largest carrier at Oakland International Airport and San Jose Mineta International Airport, accounting for 83% of total passenger volume and more than 50% of passenger volume respectively, according to a Chronicle report last year. It is the fifth-largest carrier at San Francisco International Airport, with a 5% passenger share, the Chronicle reported. 'Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience,' said Tony Roach, Southwest's executive vice president of customer and brand in a statement. 'Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our customers — including the ability to select extra legroom seats — and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin.' Customers will be able to choose from a variety of fare bundles, some of which will offer them a chance to select a seat at the time of booking, in addition to access to three different seat types: extra legroom, preferred and standard, officials said. Cardholders of the airline's Rapid Rewards Credit Card will be able to select a seat at booking or within 48 hours of departure, depending on which card they have, officials said. A-list and A-list preferred customers will be able to select a seat at booking regardless of the fare they purchase, the company said. Under the current open-seating process, Southwest passengers must check in for their flights 24 hours before departure to be assigned a specific number in either the A, B or C boarding group. Passengers can pay extra, about $30, to skip to the front of the A line, the Chronicle reported. The new boarding process will place customers into groups based on their seat location, with extra legroom passengers boarding in groups one and two, officials said. People who purchased premium fares, along with tier members and credit cardmembers will also board earlier in the process, officials said. Choice and basic fare holders will board last unless they purchase priority boarding, which will be available 24 hours prior to departure, officials said. The change marks the first time in its more than 50-year history that Southwest will offer assigned seating to its customers. The transition was announced last year as the airline eyes more revenue and after 80 percent of surveyed customers said they preferred assigned seating to the current policy. Assigned seating is one of a few changes Southwest is making to its flights to increase profits. The carrier eliminated its longstanding free checked baggage policy for passengers, now charging for the service, in alignment with other major carriers and began operating overnight flights earlier this year.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines irks customers by killing another popular policy
Southwest Airlines is putting an expiration date on passengers' flight credits — and travelers are not happy. Last month, the airline announced a slew of changes it will be making this year, which will go into effect on May 28. One major change is that flight credits are being given an expiration date. The airline previously had a 'travel credits don't expire' policy. As noted by Southwest, a 'flight credit is a credit from either a canceled flight or a downgrade in fare that can be used to buy a future flight.' However, with Southwest's new policy, any flight credits issued when you buy a ticket on or after May 28, will expire in one year from the 'date of ticketing.' In some cases, credits could expire within less than a year from the date you bought your plane ticket. All passengers' flight credits will have a specified expiration date. However, if you've earned any flight credits on May 27 or earlier, they will not expire. On social media, many Southwest customers have expressed their anger about the policy change. 'So not only Southwest will have added checked bag fees, no more low fares, seat selection, but now the travel credits have an expiration date. What incentive is there to still fly with them over other airlines now?' one wrote on X, referencing the company's simultaneous decision to end its free checked bag policy. 'Why would I fly Southwest when they follow the same as other airlines,' another tweeted. 'People go where the perks/ amenities rise above, that also have the best price & comfortable seating when picking. Southwest is not the 1st choice anymore.' Other travelers declared that they wouldn't be using the airline anymore. 'They were my go-to airline. Placing customers first made them the obvious prime choice. Now it seems customers are last…digging for every penny they can scrape out of them,' one tweeted. Another agreed: 'No more southwest for me. I will be changing my loyalty credit card too.' Last month, Southwest also announced that starting May 28, customers can't check their first and second bags for free unless they are part of Southwest's A-List loyalty program. Other select customers, A-List members and Rapid Rewards Credit Card will also receive one free checked bag. Or, you can check your bag for free if you are traveling on a business fare. 'We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don't compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,' Bob Jordan, the President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines, said in a press release at the time. However, Southwest confirmed that those who cannot find a place for their carry-on bag on busy flights would not be charged, even if it has to be checked. 'There will be times when we solicit at the gate for a soon-to-depart full flight bags to check, and of course, there would not be a charge,' the company said in a statement to The Independent. 'If someone is on the aircraft and cannot find a place for their bag, of course, there would not be a charge. The policies and protocols will be spelled out (along with the specific charges) as we approach adding this into our operation.' Southwest was known for offering two free checked bags to all passengers. Each bag could be 62 inches in size and up to 50 pounds, according to the company's policy. If customers had a third bag to check, they would be charged an additional $150. If one of their two checked bags is overweight, they will also be charged an additional $150.
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Southwest Airlines irks customers by killing another popular policy
Southwest Airlines is putting an expiration date on passengers ' flight credits — and travelers are not happy. Last month, the airline announced a slew of changes it will be making this year, which will go into effect on May 28. One major change is that flight credits are being given an expiration date. The airline previously had a 'travel credits don't expire' policy. As noted by Southwest, a 'flight credit is a credit from either a canceled flight or a downgrade in fare that can be used to buy a future flight.' However, with Southwest's new policy, any flight credits issued when you buy a ticket on or after May 28, will expire in one year from the 'date of ticketing.' In some cases, credits could expire within less than a year from the date you bought your plane ticket. All passengers' flight credits will have a specified expiration date. However, if you've earned any flight credits on May 27 or earlier, they will not expire. On social media, many Southwest customers have expressed their anger about the policy change. 'So not only Southwest will have added checked bag fees, no more low fares, seat selection, but now the travel credits have an expiration date. What incentive is there to still fly with them over other airlines now?' one wrote on X, referencing the company's simultaneous decision to end its free checked bag policy. 'Why would I fly Southwest when they follow the same as other airlines,' another tweeted. 'People go where the perks/ amenities rise above, that also have the best price & comfortable seating when picking. Southwest is not the 1st choice anymore.' Other travelers declared that they wouldn't be using the airline anymore. 'They were my go-to airline. Placing customers first made them the obvious prime choice. Now it seems customers are last…digging for every penny they can scrape out of them,' one tweeted. Another agreed: 'No more southwest for me. I will be changing my loyalty credit card too.' Last month, Southwest also announced that starting May 28, customers can't check their first and second bags for free unless they are part of Southwest's A-List loyalty program. Other select customers, A-List members and Rapid Rewards Credit Card will also receive one free checked bag. Or, you can check your bag for free if you are traveling on a business fare. 'We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don't compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,' Bob Jordan, the President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines, said in a press release at the time. However, Southwest confirmed that those who cannot find a place for their carry-on bag on busy flights would not be charged, even if it has to be checked. 'There will be times when we solicit at the gate for a soon-to-depart full flight bags to check, and of course, there would not be a charge,' the company said in a statement to The Independent. 'If someone is on the aircraft and cannot find a place for their bag, of course, there would not be a charge. The policies and protocols will be spelled out (along with the specific charges) as we approach adding this into our operation.' Southwest was known for offering two free checked bags to all passengers. Each bag could be 62 inches in size and up to 50 pounds, according to the company's policy. If customers had a third bag to check, they would be charged an additional $150. If one of their two checked bags is overweight, they will also be charged an additional $150.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines slammed as ‘tone deaf' for social media joke
Let the lesson be learned, social media managers: There is a time and place for jokes. This apparently was not one of those times. Southwest Airlines has been catching heat for its recent policy reversal. 'Allowing bags to fly free' has been a marketing tool of the company for years, but as announced earlier this week, that will no longer be true for customers purchasing the lowest-priced plane tickets. The change begins on May 28. The airline will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members as well as passengers flying on Business Select fares. One free checked bag will be allowed for A-List Members, while one checked bag will be credited for Rapid Rewards Credit Card members. It's not clear how much it'll cost to check bags. While customers reacted to the policy change, the Dallas-based airline took a shot at its hometown NBA team. 'It's not like we traded Luka,' an Instagram post from the Southwest Airlines account reads. That swipe is in reference to last month's shocking NBA trade between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers that sent superstar Luka Doncic to L.A. The trade, much like the new Southwest policy, was not well received by fans in the Dallas area. And now, the airline, which has also announced mass layoffs in the last month, is taking some punishment online. 'This is incredibly tone deaf,' a comment reads from Instagram user gkrisanic. 'I've been a loyal Southwest customer and a RR cardholder for years, but now I'm going to be exploring other options after all of these policy changes. There is really no reason to fly SW now, especially when I can find a more convenient direct flight on another airline. Super disappointed in y'all.' 'Taking a screenshot of this as it will be the thumbnail for the Harvard business review case study of destroying a brand and an entire company,' said user rappid_exposure. 'Air balling a joke like this after laying off [nearly 1,800] people is crazy,' said adamchernandez. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
