Southwest Airlines Middle Seat

August 01, 2021

Southwest and several other airlines that once blocked middle seats now sell out flights if they can. A t the onset of the coronavirus pandemic several airlines started blocking middle seats so that travelers could remain somewhat socially distant when flying.

Southwest Extends Middle Seat Blocking To Nov 30 Travel Leisure

Its losing bookings to competitors an estimated 40 to 60 million worth in November due to the policy being in place.

Southwest airlines middle seat. It was never announced that southwest would block seats in December the only announcement was that middle seats would be blocked though November so if an agent informed you that seats would be blocked in December Im sorry but thats not the case. Through the end of November Southwest Airlines was blocking middle seats for sale. Set to expire on October 31 2020 Southwest Airlines has extended its policy of ensuring you do not have to sit next to a stranger for another month through November 30th.

The new policy which means middle seats will. They included Southwest Airlines. In an earnings report on Thursday Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly announced that on Dec.

Southwest stopped blocking middle seats on Dec. For passengers in the C group a middle seat may be all thats left. At this stage there may also be no more overhead bin space available for carry-on bags.

The last holdout is Delta Air Lines which has extended empty middle seats through April 30. Southwest has been operating flights with middle seats open throughout the summer and has added thousands of flights to in-demand destinations to provide extra seats for on-board physical distancing and added comfort. Delta Air Lines is the only carrier still limiting seat sales in economy class a policy in effect through April 30.

The Boeing 737-700 has 143 seats and it accounts for more than 60 of Southwest Airlines fleet. 1 2020 the Dallas-based carrier will no longer limit capacity on its flights and begin filling middle seats that were previously kept open. Southwest Airlines flies 2 types of aircraft Boeing 737-700 and Boeing 737-800.

No Southwest isnt likely to change its mind and keep middle seats open. Hence it might turn out that even if not sufficient to convince the passengers to fly again blocking the middle seat idea could eventually backfire on airlines. Southwest Airlines got a revenue boost from uncapping middle seats in December.

If you are on a flight that isnt full youll most likely find fewer people in the back of the plane potentially keeping that seat next to you empty. Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700. Getty Images Southwest made some big money after uncapping flights.

The airline said Thursday it believes leaving middle seats empty means the airline will miss out on 20 million in potential revenue in October and between 40 million and 60 million in November. But now that Southwest is no longer blocking the middle seat there is a chance that a stranger will sit next to you which is something you might want to try to avoid these days. All of Southwests aircraft are in an all-economy configuration.

Instead of you picking your own seat when you make your reservation or paying less and having the airline assign you where youre going to sit and then have something like this happen you line up and when its your turn to board the plane you sit in whichever open seat. Southwest Airlines is the odd man out when it comes to seating assignments simply because there arent any. The policy change comes as the airline looks to fill planes through the holiday travel season and reports that.

Over the last weeks many have complained about full aircraft and full middle seats. Southwest Airlines has extended its middle seat blocking policy at least through the end of the Thanksgiving holiday season. Southwest Airlines will no longer limit the number of seats for sale on each flight joining rivals American and United.

Southwest Airlines Extends Seat Blocking Policy. Youre going to have a more pleasant boarding experience on Southwest if youre in the A or B boarding groups. Southwest Airlines Seat Configurations.

Southwest Will Start Filling Middle Seats Dec 1 The Washington Post