“Now They’ll Just Be Like Every Other Airline” — Travelers Have THOUGHTS on Southwest Boarding Process Change

[Disney4me]

Southwest Airlines recently made a big announcement that will change the way the airline operates after 50 years. 

Southwest plane

Trying to find an airline to fly to Disney World can be tough, and if you are planning on flying Southwest, you are going to want to know about this MASSIVE change. Southwest Airlines is known to provide budget-friendly flights, as well as open seating, and the best part – TWO FREE checked bags! While the free checked bags are sticking around, there are major changes coming to the boarding process as well as seat selection.

Southwest recently announced that they will no longer offer open seating starting in 2025. Previously, those flying Southwest would check in 24 hours before their flight to receive a boarding group. Depending on how quick you were, you would get assigned into groups A, B, or C. Groups A and B have a better chance of sitting where you wish, but group A was the most desirable since you and your party could all likely sit together. If you get boarding group C, it can be hard to keep your party together and you would most likely get stuck with a middle seat.

Southwest Cabin

But now Southwest Airlines is saying goodbye to open seating and will have customers choose their seats at the time of booking. Southwest will also offer seats with more leg room which, of course, comes as an up-charge. 

Flying Southwest

The news is not all bad. The company said it would also start flying red-eye routes to help with efficiency, which could mean more flight options. The shift in the boarding process came after customer feedback, as the number one complaint was open seating. 

Southwest plane

As frequent Southwest flyers ourselves, we wanted to ask our readers how they felt about this new seating change.

Southwest Airlines

One reader told us that they are “not thrilled.” This reader said that they exclusively fly Southwest, and they don’t know if they will “have any motivation to remain loyal to them, especially if they start costing the same [as other airlines].”

Southwest Counter at MCO

Another reader pointed out that they do not know any people who were actual Southwest customers who had an issue with open seating. With this change, they personally would never fly them because of it, but they admitted that they felt that they were never Southwest’s target customer.

Southwest

Also upset with the change, a reader said, “Now they’ll just be like every other airline. Nickel and diming you for an assigned seat. This is the #1 reason we always fly Southwest, but now there won’t be any motivation to remain loyal.”

Southwest

Some of our readers are happy with this change! One reader said that “I, for one am glad they will be going for assigned seating! By having an assigned seat, it takes the stress out of boarding. Also happy about the shift, a reader said, “I love this! Their open-boarding policy adds so much stress to families with kids over 6 traveling together.”

Southwest

A reader who is excited about the change shared that they were excited that they would now be guaranteed to sit next to their wife instead of being between two strangers for a flight. 

Southwest Airplane

We will have to wait and see what this new pricing will look like once Southwest rolls out its new seating policy sometime in 2025. If you need any help with air travel or booking any parts of your vacation, you can reach out to our friends at Small World Vacation!

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Will you still be flying Southwest after this change? Let us know in the comments!

The post "Now They'll Just Be Like Every Other Airline" -- Travelers Have THOUGHTS on Southwest Boarding Process Change first appeared on the disney food blog.

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