Exploring the Unassigned Seats Policy of Southwest Airlines: The Thought Behind It

Southwest Airlines is known for its unique unassigned seats policy that can be a love-hate experience for travelers. This article delves into the rationale behind this policy and why it has become a distinctive feature of the airline's operations.

Introduction to Southwest Airlines Unassigned Seats Policy

Southwest Airlines, once a pioneer in the budget airline industry, adopted an innovative seating approach to cut costs and offer a friendly experience. By avoiding the high-cost DCI System Departure Control Inventory System, Southwest relies on a 'zone loading' process for boarding. This choice not only saves money on software and computers but also reflects the airline's commitment to keeping prices low for travelers.

The Reasons Behind the Unassigned Seats Policy

The unassigned seats policy works best for Southwest due to several factors:

Quick boarding process: The unassigned boarding method is faster and more efficient, especially for flights with through passengers who change seats frequently. Flexibility for through passengers: Many Southwest flights carry through passengers who need to change seats, which makes assigning seats impractical. Revenue generation: While not pre-reserving seats, Southwest successfully markets 'early bird' seats, generating additional revenue. Cultural adaptation: The airline caters to travelers who may be more comfortable or relaxed during the boarding and flight process.

How Southwest's Unassigned Seats Policy Works

Instead of assigning seats, Southwest divides the boarding process into zones. Passengers are given a specific spot in line to board, and once on the plane, they can pick any seat. This approach is different from other airlines, where passengers are typically assigned seats in advance.

Ranking of Seats on a 737

Most flyers would rank seats on a 737 in the following order for optimal comfort and convenience:

2nd Exit Row, Window/Aisle 1st Exit Row, Window/Aisle (if it exists) Bulkhead, Window/Aisle 2nd Exit Row, Middle 1st Exit Row, Middle Bulkhead, Middle Closest window seat to the front Closest aisle seat to the front Closest middle seat to the front

However, families often look for the farthest forward block of adjacent available seats to sit together. This desire for a specific location can lead to scattered open seats, making it difficult to seat families in an ideal configuration. Reserved seats can also create empty spaces that are not ideal for families.

Check-in Process and Its Impact

Southwest's check-in process exists primarily to determine which passengers are actually intending to fly, allowing them to offer seats to those who need them and finish boarding early if everyone checked-in is onboard. This differs from other airlines where a seat is only truly assigned 24 hours before departure.

Marketing Stratagem: Early Bird Seats

Southwest offers various boarding positions through their marketing strategy:

Business Select fares: These allocate one of the best 17-22 exit row or bulkhead seats, but the 'check-in' happens automatically and is not truly checked in until 24 hours before. A-List: This group gets priority boarding based on an unknown algorithm, including factors like purchase date and price points. Early Bird: Anytime Wanna Get Away: These are given seats based on how early they purchase their ticket.

While these strategies can earn extra revenue, they also encourage families to pay more for early boarding positions to ensure they get the seats they prefer. However, Southwest does not guarantee that paying for early bird will get you an A boarding position or even a window seat.

Benefits and Incentives of the Unassigned Seats Policy

Despite the uncertainties, the unassigned seats policy has several advantages:

Increased revenue: Extra payment for early boarding positions and non-assigned seats. Efficient turnarounds: Late check-in through mobile boarding passes reduces agent wait times, improving operational efficiency. Passenger satisfaction: Flexibility to choose seats later can enhance the travel experience for some passengers.

In conclusion, Southwest Airlines' unassigned seats policy is a strategic choice that simplifies the boarding process and maximizes revenue. While it may not be ideal for everyone, it has become a recognizable and unique feature of the airline, contributing to its success and distinguishing it in the competitive aviation market.