Southwest slammed over new seating policy…
Southwest’s new seating policy will just not fly.
The airline continues to obtain heat from livid vacationers strongly opposed to the airline’s choice to end its open seating preparations – with some branding the transfer a “disaster.”
Fury is also mounting with the airline’s new reserving system – with one traveler even evaluating it to “extortion.”
Southwest’s choice to end its open seating policy has not been welcomed by all. CNBC
Southwest formally ditched its open seating policy on Jan. 27 after 54 years. Travelers can no longer just select a seat when they board a aircraft, and some pays further to guarantee they’ve further legroom.
But, the dramatic policy change hasn’t been welcomed by all.
“Southwest needs to go back to open seating,” one traveler wrote on X.
“This new assigned seating is a disaster and also take away from A-list perks. Bad move.”
Another claimed Southwest’s open seating policy helped the model stand out from rival carriers.
“The reason many of us flew Southwest was because of the open seating and the luggage,” a second X consumer said.
“If I wanted to be treated in this way of the new policy, I would fly any other airline.”
And, a third disgruntled passenger claimed Southwest had gone from being a “solid airline… to perhaps the worst around.”
Scores of vacationers have already urged Southwest chiefs to change course — with some vacationers seemingly having issues getting acquainted with the airline’s new reserving system.
One Redditor documented their battle in a post titled: “Now it’s extortion.”
Disgruntled vacationers said the model’s open seating policy helped it stand out in contrast to rivals. AFP via Getty Images
“Bought a Basic Fare non-stop ticket for my daughter. Check her in EXACTLY 24 HRS before departure,” the mum or dad said.
“It says there are no seats, she’s on standby and could have to take a later flight ( that could be next day).
“So I check the “upgrade seat” option and, sure enough, there are actually dozens of empty seats FOR SALE on her flight. And even worse, according to the seating chart, there have been properly over a dozen seats in mild blue in the back of the aircraft that it wouldn’t assign her.”
The Redditor lamented how her daughter would’ve just been given a letter prior to boarding under the outdated system.
Tony Roach, the company’s Executive Vice President Chief Customer and Brand Officer, revealed cabins will see an improve, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
In a letter to vacationers, he said planes will likely be fitted with bigger bins that can maintain up to 50% more baggage.
The bigger bins will likely be put in in at least 70% of the service’s fleet by the end of 2026, according to Roach.
Roach said suggestions acquired following the model’s seating policy change has been “invaluable.”
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