Hardworking Americans were once again betrayed by big business this week when Southwest Airlines (SWA) announced it will soon relegate its famous open seating policy to the graveyard of good airline travel policies.
First came the “fatties fly free” policy. Now, the beloved airline has allegedly decided to ditch the 50-year tradition that set it apart from competitors after “listening carefully to Customers and conducting extensive research.” A deeper dive into SWA’s press release suggests that the company chose the change with hopes of saving its flailing second-quarter profits, a dip several major airline carriers suffered regardless of their seating policies.
The blowback that ensued after SWA President, CEO, and Vice Chairman of the Board Bob Jordan debuted the change on Thursday morning, however, suggests the loyalists who have kept the heart-branded Boeing carrier afloat for decades are not pleased.
SWA has long been hailed as the airline that made it possible for regular Americans who love the freedom to choose and don’t have easy access to massive metroplex airports to get across the country with efficiency and ease. The beloved airline’s discount prices and noteworthy hospitality offered sky passengers an affordable air travel option other than notoriously brawl-plagued budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier.
Plus, those who love SWA but long for a better shot at a front-row chair and some legroom already have the opportunity to pay for priority boarding offers like Earlybird check-in and A-list preferred status.
If SWA fliers wanted assigned seats and the
