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Get ready for assigned seats: Southwest Airlines ushers in big changes
By Eve Chen, USA TODAY,
7 hours ago
It's the end of an era at Southwest Airlines.
After more than 50 years , the airline is getting rid of its open seating policy.
In a press release Thursday, the Dallas-based airline acknowledged "preferences have evolved with more customers taking longer flights where a seat assignment is preferred." The airline hopes moving to assigned seats and revamping its boarding process will broaden Southwest's appeal to both new and existing customers, four out of five who prefer assigned seats, according to the airline, which did not give an exact date for the switch.
Assigned seating is just one is one several major operational changes in store. Southwest also plans to introduce premium seating options on all flights and introduce red-eye flights.
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 parked at the gate. Eve Chen
"While specific cabin layout details are still in design, Southwest expects roughly one-third of seats across the fleet to offer extended legroom, in line with that offered by industry peers on narrowbody aircraft," the airline said.
Booking for the airline's new red-eye flights opened Thursday. The first overnight flights will land next Valentine's Day, in five initial nonstop markets:
Las Vegas to Baltimore
Las Vegas to Orlando
Los Angeles to Baltimore
Los Angeles to Nashville
Phoenix to Baltimore
The airline plans to eventually roll out red-eye flights to other markets and offer 24-hour operational capabilities.
The sweeping changes aim to add value for both customers and investors.
"Our goal is to restore industry-leading margins and historical levels of shareholder returns through our comprehensive plan to deliver transformational commercial initiatives, improved operational efficiency, and capital allocation discipline," Southwest's President, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Bob Jordan said in a separate press release, announcing second quarter earnings . Operating revenues were up 4.5% year-over-year and hit an all-time quarterly high of $7.4 billion.
The airline's earnings have been under pressure in recent quarters, partly because of delays in plane deliveries from Boeing, which have impacted revenue and worsened cost pressures. Southwest is also facing pricing pressure as industry-wide overcapacity has dampened domestic airfares.
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