Latest news with #Southwest Airlines
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Southwest announces when passengers can book assigned seats
Southwest Airline's open seating policy is coming in for its final approach. The Texas-based carrier said Monday that flights with assigned seats will begin on Jan. 27, 2026, marking the end of an era in which the discount carrier for decades bucked industry norms by having passengers choose their seats during boarding. Southwest, which announced last year that it was abandoning open seating, said customers can start booking flights with assigned seats for 2026 starting on 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, executive vice president of customer & brand at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement. The new policy will allow travelers to choose from different fare bundles and seat options, including those offering more legroom. A Southwest spokesperson said the airline is unable for now to offer details on how its fares will change under the new reservation system. The airline also recently did away with its "bags fly free" policy, signaling a broader shift in its revenue strategy amid mounting financial pressure. People who book flights on or after May 28 ust pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. Southwest also announced on Monday that it is overhauling its boarding process. The new boarding sequence will group passengers based on seat location, with priority given to people who choose seats with extra legroom and to loyalty program members. Southwest customers can also pay for priority boarding if they want to move up in the queue. While Southwest passengers are currently assigned a group letter (A-C) and number, they will now be assigned a group number, 1-8. The new approach is intended to "deliver a smooth and efficient Customer Experience on every flight," Southwest said.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Considering Rewards Change After Ending Free Bags
Late last month, Southwest Airlines instituted its new bag policy, which was previously announced in March. "For reservations booked and ticketed or changed on or after May 28, 2025, checked baggage fees will apply. We will offer two free checked bags to our Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select Customers, and one free checked bag to A-List Members and other select Customers. Southwest will credit the first checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers," the airline said in a statement at the time. A month after the airline ended one of its only benefits over opposing airlines, Southwest appears to be considering another major change - one that customers are already fuming over. Travel insider View From the Wing, revealed the airline is considering a change to its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, including major restrictions to the popular Companion Pass benefit, after a leaked survey was revealed in a Facebook chat and Reddit post. "So I took a survey, husband A-List Preferred. Our 6th year with companion pass and it seems they want to change up the tiers of rewards to 5 levels and only give the highest level the ability to have Companion seat picked at booking. They are so going to start making us pay for every little thing," the Facebook post read. The Reddit discussion thread: "Southwest survey on loyalty levels for next year. Seems likely a big CP nerf incoming. They're looking at a 4 tier program, with only the top tier earning CP, if that. Top tier qualifying points requirements ranging from 100-160k or 30-50 round trips. Companion pass options are either nonexistent, 4 one way certs or full CP. No CP on the lower 3 tiers at all in the survey. They seem to be entertaining a option to keep the seat next to you open, with various numbers of certs. Any seat, 3 bags, 2 drinks, priority lane at top level. Various iterations down to almost nothing at a low level that bottoms out at 10k. No indication if card sign up bonuses count for qualifying points or not. Currently, Rapid Rewards members can earn the Companion Pass, which allows a second traveler to fly free (excluding taxes) on both paid and award tickets. However, with the potential change only those in the highest tier would retain full Companion Pass Airlines Considering Rewards Change After Ending Free Bags first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 30, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
