Southwest moving to assigned seats

[VegasBella]

I wish you were there and could hear the angry from the passengers in Group A.

One of the ladies in a wheel chair was a women & husband that have sailed on the Celebrity Ascent in April with us.
When the plane landed; this lady got out of her seat and did not need any assistance with her over head luggage or anything.
She just walked off the airplane like us.

My mom's health is inconsistent (she can walk but not a ton and not quickly) but she is so bullheaded and often refuses help from strangers (accepts it from family) so I have to spend extra on priority because she just won't do the early disability boarding. Constantly I ask for wheelchair assistance and then she refuses. And then she walks part of the way and then gets tired and needs to rest, can't do the whole airport easily. It's soooo annoying.

Seeing someone get up and walk off the plane 'like everyone else' doesn't mean they have the stamina to walk the whole airport. Just because they can get their own luggage on and off the plane doesn't mean they can get their checked bags without help.

All I'm trying to point out here is that there are people with legitimate reasons to need wheelchairs part-time not full time.
And you aren't in any position to determine someone's capacity unless you're their doctor and even then you might not get it right.

 

[Luanne]

My mom's health is inconsistent (she can walk but not a ton and not quickly) but she is so bullheaded and often refuses help from strangers (accepts it from family) so I have to spend extra on priority because she just won't do the early disability boarding. Constantly I ask for wheelchair assistance and then she refuses. And then she walks part of the way and then gets tired and needs to rest, can't do the whole airport easily. It's soooo annoying.

Seeing someone get up and walk off the plane 'like everyone else' doesn't mean they have the stamina to walk the whole airport. Just because they can get their own luggage on and off the plane doesn't mean they can get their checked bags without help.

All I'm trying to point out here is that there are people with legitimate reasons to need wheelchairs part-time not full time.
And you aren't in any position to determine someone's capacity unless you're their doctor and even then you might not get it right.

The worst we got in terms of judgement was from an airline/airport employee. Our daughter had fallen in NYC and broke her arm. She was very shaky and we requested wheelchair assistance from Jet Blue. The NYC folks were wonderful. But when we arrived in Albuquerque the young man who was "in charge" of the wheelchairs looked at her and said "Why do YOU need a wheelchair?" I guess he thought that even though her arm was in a sling she should be able to walk just fine. The woman who actually took my daughter in the wheelchair was wonderful though.

 

[TolmiePeak]

The worst we got in terms of judgement was from an airline/airport employee. Our daughter had fallen in NYC and broke her arm. She was very shaky and we requested wheelchair assistance from Jet Blue. The NYC folks were wonderful. But when we arrived in Albuquerque the young man who was "in charge" of the wheelchairs looked at her and said "Why do YOU need a wheelchair?" I guess he thought that even though her arm was in a sling she should be able to walk just fine. The woman who actually took my daughter in the wheelchair was wonderful though.

You should have offered to break his arm and then let him figure it out...

 

[rickandcindy23]

I know what shaky feels like after breaking my arm. First, I was on pain meds, and I had to fly from Maui home to Denver with a stop in San Francisco. It was a tough trip for me but I so wanted to be home. I broke my arm on Maui the day before we were to go home, March 26, 2023. My foot was also broken, but was a minor metatarcal break. My arm was severely broken and I was so shaky and scared of anyone bumping into me. No one should ever judge another person's pain.

 

[davidvel]

My mom's health is inconsistent (she can walk but not a ton and not quickly) but she is so bullheaded and often refuses help from strangers (accepts it from family) so I have to spend extra on priority because she just won't do the early disability boarding. Constantly I ask for wheelchair assistance and then she refuses. And then she walks part of the way and then gets tired and needs to rest, can't do the whole airport easily. It's soooo annoying.

Seeing someone get up and walk off the plane 'like everyone else' doesn't mean they have the stamina to walk the whole airport. Just because they can get their own luggage on and off the plane doesn't mean they can get their checked bags without help.

All I'm trying to point out here is that there are people with legitimate reasons to need wheelchairs part-time not full time.
And you aren't in any position to determine someone's capacity unless you're their doctor and even then you might not get it right.

What you say is true for some, but anyone who thinks that most of the people on the SWA miracle flights all fall into that category is either an utter dreamer or delusional. It doesn't happen on other airlines because the same system doesn't exist there.

I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that SWA's new assigned seating policy will elicit a new miracle: most of these people who previously needed wheelchairs will be cured.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I was hoping to see the new assigned seats when SW opened the schedule for March a few weeks ago.

When is this supposed to happen? Any news?

I cancelled our October flights with SW because Rick decided to drive, Denver to Orlando, which means we get to keep our car. That is way better for us over flying. We get to have our own car, we get to stop at Wyndham timeshares on the way, and we can enjoy the road trip while listening to some good books.

 

[silentg]

We are flying Southwest in a couple of weeks. Will let you know if seats will be assigned, haven’t heard anything yet.

 

[jackio]

I booked for March when the schedule opened, and there was no mention of assigned seats. They offered early bird purchase.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I usually have to pay more for early bird because I watch for better prices on the flights I book. If you book early bird, you don't get a refund of that fee. I had to rebook flights many times and consequently lost that fee. That stings a bit.

 

[Luanne]

I have posted several times on FB asking them what will happen to those who already have reservations, and have paid extra for Early Bird. So far, no responses. If they make us select seats AND charge more for that I will be upset. We have a flight scheduled for March 2025.

I usually have to pay more for early bird because I watch for better prices on the flights I book. If you book early bird, you don't get a refund of that fee. I had to rebook flights many times and consequently lost that fee. That stings a bit.

If you change your flight rather than cancel and re-book your Early Bird fee carries over.

 

[davidvel]

I have posted several times on FB asking them what will happen to those who already have reservations, and have paid extra for Early Bird. So far, no responses. If they make us select seats AND charge more for that I will be upset. We have a flight scheduled for March 2025.

If you change your flight rather than cancel and re-book your Early Bird fee carries over.

There is no way they will do this.

 

[Luanne]

There is no way they will do this.

I assume you are addressing the first part of my post. Well it would be nice to know what they do plan to do. Other than the one flight we already have booked in March I'm not booking any other flights with them until I know more about what they will be doing.

 

[Luanne]

Got a response from the PM I sent to SW on Facebook. Great non answer.

Thanks for reaching out to us about your upcoming reservations, Luanne. We are listening to our Customers and we certainly understand your concerns. Please know that we'll be sure to communicate more information as it becomes available to us in the coming months. We truly appreciate your continued patience throughout and hope to welcome you back onboard soon. -Amanda

 

[jackio]

I usually have to pay more for early bird because I watch for better prices on the flights I book. If you book early bird, you don't get a refund of that fee. I had to rebook flights many times and consequently lost that fee. That stings a bit.

If you change flights instead of canceling and rebooking, the early bird carries over. I learned that the hard way.

 

[dioxide45]

To date, they've made no official announcement as to a date for when this change will happen. I believe they plan to announce additional details later this week when they have an investor day event. Sept 26th. Given how SW rolls out new schedules, I would expect they won't start assigned seats until they roll out a new set of dates. Thus, a flight will either be 100% assigned seats or 100% cattle call. There would be a fixed cutoff date.

Right now they have their schedule out through June 4th 2025. So I wouldn't expect any flights with assigned seats until after that. They also indicate that they will release new dates on September 25th, 2024. Interestingly it is one day prior to their Investor Day. So either they will cut over to assigned seats for flights on and after June 5th, 2025 or they will roll out another set of dates with cattle call to give them more time to implement the change in their system. Thus probably no assigned seats until September 2025. A full year from now.

 

[Talent312]

I cancelled our October flights with SW because Rick decided to drive, Denver to Orlando, which means we get to keep our car. That is way better for us over flying. We get to have our own car, we get to stop at Wyndham timeshares on the way, and we can enjoy the road trip while listening to some good books.

In my youth, I once drove Florida to Colorado & back..
Kansas going, and Texas returning.
More power to you.

 

[davidvel]

To date, they've made no official announcement as to a date for when this change will happen. I believe they plan to announce additional details later this week when they have an investor day event. Sept 26th. Given how SW rolls out new schedules, I would expect they won't start assigned seats until they roll out a new set of dates. Thus, a flight will either be 100% assigned seats or 100% cattle call. There would be a fixed cutoff date.

Right now they have their schedule out through June 4th 2025. So I wouldn't expect any flights with assigned seats until after that. They also indicate that they will release new dates on September 25th, 2024. Interestingly it is one day prior to their Investor Day. So either they will cut over to assigned seats for flights on and after June 5th, 2025 or they will roll out another set of dates with cattle call to give them more time to implement the change in their system. Thus probably no assigned seats until September 2025. A full year from now.

I don't see why they can't decide on an earlier date than any release date. They could auto-assign seats to current open seating reservations based upon reservation date, loyalty, fare type, or something else. They also could notify customers that seat reservations are available at any time.

 

[dioxide45]

I don't see why they can't decide on an earlier date than any release date. They could auto-assign seats to current open seating reservations based upon reservation date, loyalty, fare type, or something else. They also could notify customers that seat reservations are available at any time.

I suppose they can do anything. Just laying out what I see as the most likely scenario. You are entitled to your own opinion on what you think they would do.

 

[Janann]

Right now they have their schedule out through June 4th 2025.

No, the schedule is currently through April 7, 2025. The next set of dates will roll-out on September 25, 2024.

I don't see why they can't decide on an earlier date than any release date. They could auto-assign seats to current open seating reservations based upon reservation date, loyalty, fare type, or something else. They also could notify customers that seat reservations are available at any time.

They won't do this because there would be a mass uprising. People would lose their minds over the significant change to what they purchased. I'm expecting that well before some future reservation roll-out date Southwest will announce that all future blocks of reservations will have assigned seating.

 

[jwalk03]

Personally i don't think this will happen until at least 2026. There have still be zero actual details and they would have to have a system in place when the tickets go on sale and as mentioned the first 3+ months of 2025 are already on sale.

 

[dioxide45]

No, the schedule is currently through April 7, 2025. The next set of dates will roll-out on September 25, 2024.

You're right, I read their release information page incorrectly. So, based on my theory I wouldn't expect assigned seating on flights until at least after June 4th 2025.

 

[x3 skier]

Based on the reservation system meltdown in Dec 2022, I dread the day they activate this new system. .

I’m using up my miles. SWA will be just another airline like AA, UA and Delta. A step up from ULCC, but nothing special.

 

[davidvel]

No, the schedule is currently through April 7, 2025. The next set of dates will roll-out on September 25, 2024.


They won't do this because there would be a mass uprising. People would lose their minds over the significant change to what they purchased. I'm expecting that well before some future reservation roll-out date Southwest will announce that all future blocks of reservations will have assigned seating.

You may be right. But I have been flying SWA for over 30 years. Unassigned seating has never been a plus for me. Getting an assigned seat vs. having to cattle call is worse? Maybe for you and the perceived people.

SWA will undoubtedly tout assigned seats as a positive not a negative. I doubt they will get of business select and other better fares. We don't even know if you will get to select a seat at reservation time on the cheapest fare. We shall see.

 

[Janann]

You may be right. But I have been flying SWA for over 30 years. Unassigned seating has never been a plus for me. Getting an assigned seat vs. having to cattle call is worse? Maybe for you and the perceived people.

SWA will undoubtedly tout assigned seats as a positive not a negative. I doubt they will get of business select and other better fares. We don't even know if you will get to select a seat at reservation time on the cheapest fare. We shall see.

I said that they won't change from cattle call to assigned seats on the tickets that have already been sold, or been made available for sale. I do believe that they will switch to assigned seats in the future. My best guess is that the new assigned seat arrangement will be rolled out at the same time as a new batch opening date.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I said that they won't change from cattle call to assigned seats on the tickets that have already been sold, or been made available for sale. I do believe that they will switch to assigned seats in the future. My best guess is that the new assigned seat arrangement will be rolled out at the same time as a new batch opening date.

This is my assumption as well.