Flying Southwest for the first time. (4 Viewers)

[SFBayDuck]

Replacing open seating with "assigned and premium" seating: https://www.npr.org/2024/07/25/nx-s1-5051580/southwest-airlines-assigned-seats

End of an era.

I've got my 3 favorite seats, in order - exit row aisle on the left, exit row window on the right (no seat in front of you), and the inside seat in front of that (group of 2 seats). I flew four SW flights (a roundtrip with a connection each way) this week and got one of those each time, including my favorite twice with the middle seat one of the only empty ones on the entire flight. And I was only A1-15 on one of those flights. It's almost weird how casual/non-biz travelers seem to avoid the exit row.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Southwest is consistently, if not the most expensive, close to it. Pass

I have never flown Southwest because of this very reason.

You have to search your flights way out in advance. With the free bags, I used to love flying Southwest.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Flew SW a third time, to Kauai. I wasn’t aware ahead of time, as wife booked the tix. Anyway, didn’t check in until right before the flight. We were C58 & 59, almost the worst possible boarding position.

Nonetheless, we were able to be seated in two aisle seats across from one another, row 18 IIRC. Not too shabby.

On the way back, checked in 24 hours ahead of time, mid A group. Sat next to each other row 8, three seats to ourselves.

Too bad they’re moving away from open seating

 

[Osaurus]

Rumor is (from Points Guy iirc) SW is doing away with open seating soonish. They are trying to appeal more to business travelers moving forward.

No surprise here