Southwest Airlines Announces End of Open Seating

In a significant shift from its traditional approach, Southwest Airlines Co. revealed on Monday that it will discontinue its open seat program, introducing assigned seats starting January 27. This move marks the end of over 50 years of open seating, a hallmark of the airline's customer experience.

New Boarding Groups to Streamline Process

The airline plans to implement eight boarding groups, categorized by ticket type, to facilitate a smoother and quicker boarding process. Stephanie Shafer Modi, Southwest's managing director of fares and ancillary products, shared with CNBC that the first tickets for flights with assigned seating will be available for purchase on July 29.

Strategic Shift Aimed at Financial Improvement

This transition is part of Southwest's broader strategy to enhance its financial performance. The airline had previously hinted at eliminating open seating, signaling a new era in its operational and customer service policies.