Southwest Announces Move to Assigned Seating

Southwest Airlines is introducing the most significant changes to its product in the company’s history: phasing out its longstanding open seating policy in favor of assigned and premium seating.

The Dallas-based airline has maintained its unique open seat selection for more than 50 years. However, following what it called an extensive review of customer preferences, Southwest announced Thursday that it will assign seats and offer premium seating options on all flights starting in 2025.

In a release issued by Southwest, the airline shared that its customer feedback and extensive research showed that 80 percent of its current passengers and 86 percent of potential customers prefer assigned seating.

“Moving to assigned seating and offering premium legroom options will be a transformational change that cuts across almost all aspects of the company,” said Southwest CEO Bob Jordan. “Although our unique open seating model has been a part of Southwest Airlines since our inception, our thoughtful and extensive research makes it clear this is the right choice – at the right time – for our customers, our people and our shareholders.”

According to Southwest, the primary reason customers switch to competitors is the lack of assigned seating. By transitioning to assigned seats, Southwest aims to attract more travelers and expand its appeal.

In addition to assigned seats, Southwest will introduce a premium seating option for travelers seeking extra legroom. This addition comes in response to customer preferences for cabins with extended legroom options. Southwest expects roughly one-third of seats across its fleet to eventually feature premium seating.

Southwest said it will share more information on its product designs, cabin reconfigurations and timeline in September. The airline also said its new cabin layout will require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration prior to entering service.

Redeye flights for sale

Southwest is also changing the way its fleet operates by adding redeye flights into its network, introducing 24-hour flight operations at the airline for the first time.

Redeye flights will begin in February 2025 and initially connect on routes between Southwest’s largest markets on the West and East Coasts: Las Vegas to Baltimore and Orlando, Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville, and Phoenix to Baltimore. Redeye flights on these routes are now available for purchase at Southwest.com.

Southwest plans to expand redeye flights over time and improve turnaround times with new technologies, aiming to boost revenue and increase capacity and network connectivity without needing more aircraft.

Redeye flights are flown by airlines to increase aircraft utilization and offer additional travel options for customers. By taking advantage of time zone differences, redeyes are popular among travelers looking to have a full day available at their origin or final destination.

Other onboard enhancements

Assigned seating, premium seating and redeye flights are the latest in a series of changes Southwest has made to transform its product and customer experience.

In February, Southwest revealed its redesigned aircraft interior that will feature new seats and add in-seat power to charge personal devices. “Our redesigned cabin interior significantly enhances our inflight customer experience and will complement the amazing service that our crews provide,” Tony Roach, Southwest’s Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, said in a statement.

Beginning in early 2025, Southwest will debut new RECARO seats featuring multi-adjustable headrests and design enhancements maximizing seat width, comfort and support. Each seat will also include a personal device holder for mount tablets, allowing travelers to easily watch in-flight entertainment, and USB-A and USB-C power ports to charge personal devices.

In addition, Southwest will retrofit its Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 fleets with larger overhead bins, reducing the need to gate check carry-on baggage.