Southwest Airlines: Where Freedom (Open Seating) Goes To Die – The Federalist

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 SWAs 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 dont have easy access to massive metroplex airports to get across the country with efficiency and ease. The beloved airlines 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 higher prices and unfriendly flight attendants that come with those, they would fly American. Or Delta, which is still scrambling to satisfy the customers it left stranded at airports around the country last week.

SWAs attempt to broaden its appeal and attract more flying from its current and future Customers by getting rid of that freedom to choose, however, will inevitably jack up ticket prices in an attempt to win over customers who are happily married to airlines that already offer assigned seating. So much for Low fares. Nothing to hide. Thats TransFarency!

Trusting passengers to pick where they sit keeps costs low and gives the airline wiggle room to offer flash deals and rewards programs that actually benefit travelers like me who want to fly. And thats good because flying aint cheap.

The only reason people like me can afford air travel in the face of price hikes that outpace inflation is because of SWAs open seating policy. I dont live in the boonies, but I also dont have easy access to a metroplex wherebudget airline options abound. SWA is the only sky bus that offers reasonably priced flights to choice destinations from my hometown.

Theres no doubt that flying is becoming less and less enjoyable by the year. The only thing that makes shrinking seats, cardboard-like snacks, and airlines embarrassing embrace of wokeism better is choosing my seat.

Open seating may get a bad rap from people who fly with other airlines, but who cares what they think? Choosing your own seat isnt just the cherry on top of SWAs other perks like family-friendly boarding, bags that fly free, companion passes, and smiley staff. Its the whole sky sundae.

SWAs friendly staff and informative boarding process make it easy to get settled in a flotation device-equipped chair. If a passenger doesnt like his neighbor or wants a better view of the clouds, open seating makes it easier to talk someone into switching because passengers did not pay for specific spots. Thanks to pick-where-you-plant-yourself policies, customers can even make last-minute flight changes and cancellations with little to no penalty.

After today, I count myself among the growing club of SWA loyalists who think the carrier has gone soft by selling out the one thing that set it apart from other airlines in exchange for unpromised profit. SWA let their desire for new customers and greediness get ahead of them and their frequent flyers wishes, and now people like you and me are literally going to be paying for it.

Jordan Boyd is a staff writer at The Federalist and producer of The Federalist Radio Hour. Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University where she majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow her on X @jordanboydtx.

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Southwest Airlines: Where Freedom (Open Seating) Goes To Die - The Federalist