Southwest ditching open seating for assigned seats, including Florida flights. What we know

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·2 min read

This is the week for airline news.

Avelo announced it was adding nine new Florida flights at three different airports in the Sunshine State, and would be making Lakeland International Airport, LAL, the airline's Central Florida base.

The airline jetBlue said it would be adding new routes to Florida.

And the latest news is Southwest Airlines is ditching its open seating policy that's been in place for more than 50 years. Instead, of open seating, Southwest will switch to assigned seats.

Southwest Airlines dropping open seating for assigned seating

The Dallas-based airline said in a Thursday announcement "80% of Southwest customers, and 86% of potential customers prefer an assigned seat.

"When a customer elects to stop flying with Southwest and chooses a competitor, open seating is cited as the number one reason for the change. By moving to an assigned seating model, Southwest expects to broaden its appeal and attract more flying from its current and future customers."

Assigned seating is just one is one several changes coming to Southwest. The airline also plans to introduce premium seating options and introduce red-eye flights.

What was 'open seating' on Southwest flights?

For more than 50 years, Southwest offered open seating.

"Once onboard, simply choose any available seat and stow your carryon items in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you," Southwest described the process.

When will assigned seating on Southwest flights start?

"The move to assigned and premium seating will be significant. In addition to incorporating new technologies and procedures for a seamless transition, the new cabin layout will require approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration.

"Southwest expects to make bookings available in 2025," according to a news release. An exact date was not announced.

More changes coming to Southwest Airlines

In addition to assigning seats, "Southwest will offer a premium, extended legroom portion of the cabin, which research shows many customers strongly prefer. While specific cabin layout details are still in design, Southwest expects roughly one-third of seats across the fleet to offer extended legroom," the airline said.

The airline said it will also introduce redeye flights. Booking for the airline's new red-eye flights opened Thursday, July 25. The first overnight flights will land Feb. 14, 2025, next Valentine's Day, starting in five markets:

  • Las Vegas to Orlando

  • Las Vegas to Baltimore

  • Los Angeles to Baltimore

  • Los Angeles to Nashville

  • Phoenix to Baltimore

Southwest Airlines available at 11 Florida airports

Effective Aug. 5, 2024, Southwest said it will be serving 117 airports, including 11 in Florida.

Florida airports offering Southwest flights include:

  • Destin/Fort Walton Beach, VPS

  • Fort Lauderdale, FLL

  • Fort Myers, RSW

  • Jacksonville, JAX

  • Miami, MIA

  • Orlando, MCO

  • Panama City Beach, PNS

  • Pensacola, PNS

  • Sarasota/Bradenton, SRQ

  • Tampa, TPA

  • West Palm Beach, PBI

Contributor: Eve Chen, USA Today Network

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Southwest new seating policy. Assigned seats replacing pick your own