Southwest Airlines, after 50 years of open seating, will introduce assigned seating and premium options for more legroom based on customer feedback and revenue potential, with approximately one-third of its fleet offering extended legroom seats.

The decision by Southwest Airlines to change its seating policy is driven by industry conditions like higher labor and fuel costs, aiming to address reduced profits despite high travel demand.

The shift away from open seating at Southwest Airlines is also motivated by the need to improve financial performance, following a significant net loss in the first quarter of 2024.

Budget airlines like Frontier and Spirit Airlines are adapting by eliminating fees and introducing premium seating to increase revenue, a trend seen in the airline industry.

While Southwest's new seating model may lead to higher prices for preferred seats, overall ticket prices are not expected to see a drastic increase.

In addition to seating changes, Southwest Airlines will implement 24-hour operations starting in February of the following year.

Further details about Southwest's comprehensive plan, including the seating changes, will be revealed during Investor Day in late September.

The transition to assigned seating at Southwest Airlines may impact the airline's longstanding brand identity established over the past 50 years.