Southwest Airlines has been a hot topic lately!
The airline is ending its opening seating policy and removing its “bags fly free” initiative, which has left the internet in a bit of an uproar. Now the airline is back with even more changes!
Southwest is trying to make up for its big changes! The airline is in the process of adding more comfort to every airplane in its fleet with its new Extra Legroom seats!
Southwest shared that these new seats will be added to every single plane between April 30th and the end of 2025. The seats will add an extra 5 inches of legroom for each passenger who purchases these seats.
The first retrofit aircraft (the planes that are being redone) will begin flying on May 1st. These changes will be made along with other cabin upgrades, like in-seat power and larger overhead bins, along with regular maintenance. These changes will begin with -800 and MAX 8 aircraft before moving on to the rest of the planes within the Southwest fleet. The change “re-pitches existing seats to adjust spacing between rows.”
The news seats will have visual indicators to help guests see which seat type is which while they’re on board the aircraft. Southwest shared photos of the work going on in the new updates, which you can see below.
These changes come as guests will have to start choosing their seats as they purchase their flight, which is a massive change from the company’s open seating policy. These Extra Legroom seats are part of the airline’s push to justify charging for seats. Those who choose these new premium seats, as well as “the carrier’s most loyal Customers,” will also get to board before other passengers!
Southwest is continuing to make changes, and they begin sooner than you might realize. Checked bags will no longer be free beginning on flights booked on or after May 28th, and open seating will end in 2026. As always, be sure to keep following AllEars for more travel news and updates.
9 BIG Changes Announced by Southwest Airlines
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Which airline is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!
It was southwest, but there changing to much. Free bags and open seating is what I love about the airline!!!!
Same here free bags and open seating is why I always flew with Southwest. Not any more they are becoming a rip off just like the rest of the airlines.