It is the top of an period at Southwest Airways as the corporate has introduced it’s altering its seating course of for the primary time in additional than 50 years.
In an announcement Thursday, the corporate, based in 1967, informed prospects it might be shifting to assigned seating for the primary time in its historical past. The airline has historically been characterised by its distinctive coverage of no passenger-assigned seating.
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“After listening rigorously to prospects and conducting intensive analysis, Southwest determined it should assign seats and supply premium seating choices on all flights,” the airline mentioned. “The airline has been identified for its distinctive open seating mannequin for greater than 50 years, however preferences have advanced with extra Prospects taking longer flights the place a seat task is most well-liked.”
Southwest mentioned that, primarily based on testing, an estimated 80% of shoppers desire assigned seating, whereas 86% of potential prospects need the identical.
The airline mentioned it hopes to draw extra prospects by adopting the brand new mannequin however didn’t specify when the modifications can be carried out, solely revealing that extra particulars can be introduced in September.
“Shifting to assigned seating and providing premium legroom choices can be a transformational change that cuts throughout virtually all elements of the corporate,” Bob Jordan, president, CEO, and vice chairman of the Board at Southwest mentioned in an organization assertion. “Though our distinctive open seating mannequin has been part of Southwest Airways since our inception, our considerate and intensive analysis makes it clear that is the proper selection— on the proper time—for our Prospects, our Individuals, and our Shareholders.”
The choice comes after hypothesis in April when Jordan hinted at potential modifications coming to the airline’s boarding course of following a tough Q1 2024 earnings report.
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“We’re trying into new initiatives, issues like the best way we seat and board our plane,” Jordan informed the outlet on the time. “Buyer preferences do change over time.”
Southwest Airways was up practically 6.4% in a 24-hour interval upon the information of the brand new boarding course of Thursday morning.
