Rumor-Southwest going to "charge" for assigned seats in 08????
Jul 6th, 2007, 07:28 AM
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Rumor-Southwest going to "charge" for assigned seats in 08????
Has anyone heard anything concrete about this issue???
I did hear they were cutting back on some "non-stop"flights.
Just when I was thrilled at being able to print out boarding pass 24hr. before flight---now this prospect !!!
I did hear they were cutting back on some "non-stop"flights.
Just when I was thrilled at being able to print out boarding pass 24hr. before flight---now this prospect !!!
Jul 6th, 2007, 10:16 AM
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I read that there was an issue that was going to be announced a couple of weeks ago already. It concerned the 100% boarding non-assigned as it stands now, that there would be a change.
It doesn't surprise me that some few business flyers who fly SW would want to pay for an assigned seat. It will not be too many SW flyers, traveler24, so I wouldn't think you would have that much to worry about. You'll still print out your boarding pass and get a seat you want, just as it is now.
About the non-stop flights, I do not know. They have increased from MDWY Chicago along these lines, so a I don't really know what a "cutback" would mean. I doubt much of a difference- as they are profitable and full, in all the flights I have seen.
It doesn't surprise me that some few business flyers who fly SW would want to pay for an assigned seat. It will not be too many SW flyers, traveler24, so I wouldn't think you would have that much to worry about. You'll still print out your boarding pass and get a seat you want, just as it is now.
About the non-stop flights, I do not know. They have increased from MDWY Chicago along these lines, so a I don't really know what a "cutback" would mean. I doubt much of a difference- as they are profitable and full, in all the flights I have seen.
Jul 6th, 2007, 10:35 AM
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I think they've tried to assign the seats in some airports, one of those being San Diego, so maybe now they just roll out the program to other airports?
And this talk about paying more for window or isle seats is going on for a while, and not only at SW.
And this talk about paying more for window or isle seats is going on for a while, and not only at SW.
Jul 6th, 2007, 10:41 AM
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The CEO of WN said in a WSJ interview that it is a probable possibility that they will start having the charged assigned seats to attract business travelers. They also might start phasing in assigned seating for the whole plane.
In terms of the nonstop flights, I do know they are cutting these routes:
BWI-OAK
BWI-LAX
PHL-LAX
CLE-PHX
MDW-SNA
They may cut others in the fall.
In terms of the nonstop flights, I do know they are cutting these routes:
BWI-OAK
BWI-LAX
PHL-LAX
CLE-PHX
MDW-SNA
They may cut others in the fall.
Jul 6th, 2007, 11:09 AM
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I've read about that, at least they are testing it some places. It wasn't really that expensive, as I recall, I'd sure be willing to pay an extra $5 or so for a seat.
I don't see what it has to do with printing out boarding passes, which you can do on lots of airlines, anyway that have other methods. That doesn't have anything to do with seat assignments. Besides, they aren't going to do it for all the seats.
I don't see what it has to do with printing out boarding passes, which you can do on lots of airlines, anyway that have other methods. That doesn't have anything to do with seat assignments. Besides, they aren't going to do it for all the seats.
Jul 6th, 2007, 11:57 AM
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Christina, yes it does have a lot to do with the printing out of boarding passes on Southwest. I think you don't understand the process as it exists now. And this WILL alter it.
Right now there is no assigned seating, so when you print out your boarding pass, it prints out A, B, and C depending on when you printed it- and therefore it determines your seating order.
This will change a lot of what made SW what it was, if they do go to all assigned seating. And I know someone too that the Midway/SanAnt. will affect.
They are making a big mistake in going to assigned seating. I know a lot of you just despise SW for the non-assigned seating, but it makes a huge difference to a lot of family, group, quick vacationing and last minute, I'll go for $59 type passengers not to have the assigned seating steps. They (SW)are removing themselves from the "bus in the air/ peoples'" description and are going to rue the day. Just as many people do not want to bother arranging a seat as do- especially when they have experienced how "sit where you want" really works in actuality. Better and definitely quicker, in lots of cases that I have seen.
Right now there is no assigned seating, so when you print out your boarding pass, it prints out A, B, and C depending on when you printed it- and therefore it determines your seating order.
This will change a lot of what made SW what it was, if they do go to all assigned seating. And I know someone too that the Midway/SanAnt. will affect.
They are making a big mistake in going to assigned seating. I know a lot of you just despise SW for the non-assigned seating, but it makes a huge difference to a lot of family, group, quick vacationing and last minute, I'll go for $59 type passengers not to have the assigned seating steps. They (SW)are removing themselves from the "bus in the air/ peoples'" description and are going to rue the day. Just as many people do not want to bother arranging a seat as do- especially when they have experienced how "sit where you want" really works in actuality. Better and definitely quicker, in lots of cases that I have seen.
Jul 6th, 2007, 01:07 PM
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Given that I have a SW airlines FF account and have flown them a lot, I think I certainly do understand what it means.
Yes, I know perfectly well about the A, B and C, my point was that just having the ability to print or not print a ticket is not limited to having cattle call seats or assigned seats, so if you did have assigned seats, it wouldn't mean you couldn't print out a boarding pass ahead of time.
I do not despise SW and never said I did. I don't care about folks who want to go in groups and line up, etc., but I don't see any reason why those who are willing to pay a little more to get a seat assignment can't. You are contradicting your own post by now trying to claim it will change all of Southwest when above you said it wouldn't change things for those who don't want to pay for them.
Yes, I know perfectly well about the A, B and C, my point was that just having the ability to print or not print a ticket is not limited to having cattle call seats or assigned seats, so if you did have assigned seats, it wouldn't mean you couldn't print out a boarding pass ahead of time.
I do not despise SW and never said I did. I don't care about folks who want to go in groups and line up, etc., but I don't see any reason why those who are willing to pay a little more to get a seat assignment can't. You are contradicting your own post by now trying to claim it will change all of Southwest when above you said it wouldn't change things for those who don't want to pay for them.
Jul 6th, 2007, 01:33 PM
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You misunderstood me, twice.
If they go to ALL assigned seating it will certainly change the present boarding pass AND boarding pass agenda--not if they go to partials of each, as you assume. If they go entirely to assigned with an increased standard fee then they will rue the change.
But people like Faina or myself, who do not choose to have assigned seating for SW- will then absolutely be more limited in where we choose to sit, even if we DO get an A pass- capise?
If they go to ALL assigned seating it will certainly change the present boarding pass AND boarding pass agenda--not if they go to partials of each, as you assume. If they go entirely to assigned with an increased standard fee then they will rue the change.
But people like Faina or myself, who do not choose to have assigned seating for SW- will then absolutely be more limited in where we choose to sit, even if we DO get an A pass- capise?
Jul 6th, 2007, 01:56 PM
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In my opinion, the issue with assigned seating and the cutting of the longhaul routes are related.
For short 1-2 hour flight, people don't mind not having assigned seats, or meal on board. In fact, many prefer them that way. But when it's a 6-hour cross trans-con, that's a different story. When people see a $300 fare on WN or a $300 fare on other airlines (like B6, with live TV), they won't choose WN for such flights.
So, they cannot command a decent fare on those long flights, but they take up a plane for much longer than a PHX-LAX or DAL-HOU hop.
So, basically they have to choose. They'll never get the trans-con to work with their current seating methods. So, do you just give up on the longer flights? Or do you start assign seats? Or do you do one for longhaul, the other for shorthaul, but risk confusing everybody?
For short 1-2 hour flight, people don't mind not having assigned seats, or meal on board. In fact, many prefer them that way. But when it's a 6-hour cross trans-con, that's a different story. When people see a $300 fare on WN or a $300 fare on other airlines (like B6, with live TV), they won't choose WN for such flights.
So, they cannot command a decent fare on those long flights, but they take up a plane for much longer than a PHX-LAX or DAL-HOU hop.
So, basically they have to choose. They'll never get the trans-con to work with their current seating methods. So, do you just give up on the longer flights? Or do you start assign seats? Or do you do one for longhaul, the other for shorthaul, but risk confusing everybody?
Nov 26th, 2007, 09:32 AM
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Nov 26th, 2007, 10:23 AM
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Sorry! That was supposed to be http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...6&tid=35088368
