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Southwest Airways’ new assigned seating mannequin — full with its first-ever further legroom seats — is about for takeoff in early 2026.
In the meantime, large modifications are within the works for Southwest’s Fast Rewards loyalty program, together with new advantages for A-Record and A-Record most well-liked elite standing members and alternatives for worldwide redemptions because the Dallas-based provider prepares to launch partnerships with worldwide airways.
Collectively, these modifications will mark maybe the most important business overhaul for Southwest in a half-century because the provider faces mounting issues about its monetary efficiency.
This information comes two months after Southwest executives first unveiled plans in late July so as to add further legroom seats and ditch its trademark seating coverage, a singular association that is been an indicator of the airline for the final half-century.
Each are a part of a complete plan by executives to spice up income because the airline has far trailed its bigger U.S. rivals like Delta Air Traces and United Airways in profitability because the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, one key Southwest coverage will stay in place, as TPG reported final week: the provider shouldn’t be ditching its fashionable “two luggage fly free coverage.”
However much more particulars are anticipated Thursday about main modifications within the works at Southwest as the corporate prepares to host its annual investor day.
This is what we all know thus far.
When will Southwest assigned seating start?
Southwest will start promoting assigned seats in late 2025.
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The airline will start flying with its assigned seating mannequin Within the first half of 2026, the provider stated Thursday.
This summer season, the provider cited exhaustive buyer analysis in deciding to shift to a brand new assigned mannequin. Survey knowledge, CEO Bob Jordan stated in July, discovered that 80% of Southwest flyers would most well-liked assigned seating, and {that a} whopping 86% of shoppers who do not fly Southwest most well-liked the mannequin.
“Clients journey completely different following the pandemic,” Jordan instructed traders in Dallas on Thursday. “Buyer preferences have modified.”
“Southwest flies farther than ever, and seat assignments are the next precedence on long-haul flights,” the provider added in a broader Thursday assertion summing up its overhaul plan.
Southwest further legroom seats
The airline’s first-ever further legroom seats will roll out on plane along side its addition of assigned seats, with tickets on sale within the again half of 2025 and flights taking off within the first half of 2026.
Southwest’s “premium” seats will provide as much as 5 further inches of pitch, the provider stated Thursday. (Pitch is the space from a set level on one seat to the identical spot on the seat in entrance of it, typically seen as a proxy measurement for legroom).
A few third of the seats on board Southwest’s planes will provide the additional legroom, the airline stated Thursday, whereas noting it would preserve “a Normal financial system seat pitch among the many finest within the trade.”
Further legroom seats will price further, however executives in July famous that the airline will possible provide the seats as some type of a perk as a part of revamped A-Record and A-Record most well-liked standing advantages.
New worldwide associate
To spice up curiosity in its Fast Rewards loyalty program and provide extra international connectity to its frequent flyers, Southwest is now formalizing partnership tih worldwide airways, the provider stated Thursday.
Southwest’s first associate will likely be Icelandair, with an preliminary launch of the link-up anticipated in 2025.
The 2 airways will use Baltimore/Washington Worldwide Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) as their preliminary joint gateway, however increase their choices subsequent 12 months.
It seems Southwest Fast Rewards members will be capable of use their factors to guide associate flights about Icelandair.
And, Southwest expects so as to add at the very least one worldwide associate subsequent 12 months.
Fast Rewards modifications anticipated
Incomes and redeeming Fast Rewards factors will stay unchanged — with no blackout dates for redemptions — even because the provider prepares to make modifications to its advantages, together with the perks for elite standing.
Assigned seats and premium seating will definitely play prominently into these tier advantages, leaders have insinuated — as will the airline’s new partnerships.
A-Record and A-Record most well-liked seating advantages
As a part of the modifications, A-Record elite standing members will be capable of choose normal legroom seats at reserving, and further legroom seats inside 48 hours of departure without charge.
A-Record Most popular members will be capable of choose all seats, together with further legroom seats, at reserving totally free.
Bank card program updates
The airline additionally stated to anticipate forthcoming updates to its cobranded bank card program.
These particulars are anticipated in early 2025.
Present bank card perks, phrases and insurance policies will stay in place within the meantime, Southwest stated Thursday.
Luggage will nonetheless fly free
Southwest final week assured TPG no modifications to its lenient coverage on baggage had been on the horizon, and reiterated that stance Thursday.
Not like U.S. rivals that cost for checked luggage, Southwest affords all passengers two free checked luggage. The airline additionally doesn’t cost for a full-size carry-on bag.
“Primarily based on Southwest’s analysis, the corporate believes that any change within the present coverage … would drive down demand and much outweigh any income features,” Southwest stated Thursday.
Backside line
We’re anticipating to be taught extra about Southwest’s modifications over the course of the day. Examine again for extra updates on how Southwest flyers can anticipate the on-board expertise to vary within the coming years.
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