Southwest Airlines: Breaking News on Extra Legroom Seating
So you’ve heard about Southwest Airlines shaking things up, right? Well, let me be the bearer of more airline drama. As of September 2024, they’ve decided to instill a bit of comfort into our weary travel souls. Yes, you’re reading this correctly — they’re rolling out assigned seats with extra legroom. But, this isn’t a sprinkling of fairy dust on their business model; it’s a seismic shift decades overdue.
No need to grab your wallet just yet, though. While this promises a breath of fresh air, they’re also planning to introduce charges for checked bags and a basic economy option. Edging closer to a traditional airline model? Maybe. But we can dream, can’t we?
Seat Space Odyssey: Southwest’s Retro Fit Plan
The game plan is set, folks. By September 2025, Southwest will start selling those extra legroom tickets for flights kicking off in the first quarter of 2026. As we inch closer to that date, the airline will overhaul the interiors of its entire fleet to accommodate these new plush perks.
- The transformation phase starts April 30, 2025, intending to remodel every ship in the fleet by year-end.
- They’ll overhaul the chunky 737-800s and the 737 MAX 8s first. After that, they’ll turn their wrenches on the lovable 737-700s post-summer 2025.
- Think of it like a well-oiled assembly line. Each night planes at various bases including Atlanta, Denver, Houston, and Phoenix undergo refits. Expect them to power through, refitting roughly 150 aircraft each month.
- No bells and whistles just yet — initially, those extra-legroom seats won’t jump out at you visually. But patience, friends; those gussied-up seats will show their glamour by summer 2025.
- Just a tad disappointing, the jazzy new-style seats will debut only in freshly delivered aircraft. For others, they’re just tweaking the legroom between regular seats.
In these seemingly preyed-upon planes, hidden treasures await — free extra space without the extra cash. With current boarding practices unchanged for now, pay attention because soon enough, you’ll be hobnobbing in those coveted seats before they even start taking your money.
The Reimagined Southwest 737 Experience
As savvy travelers, we do adore a sneak peek. Southwest has mapped out its seating style for us curious souls. Here’s what to expect:
- Extra Legroom Seats: Think luxury up front near the cabin’s nose and around exit rows for a bit of leg stretching.
- Preferred Seats: Nestled right behind the cushioned guys with extra space, but still boast a tad extra comfort.
- Standard Seats: Muddled behind the exit row, where one’s knees might get a little cozy.
And just how roomy are we talking? The extra legroom options graciously grant you 34” of pitch, while the poor standard souls must contend with a humble 31”. It’s a “give a little, take a little” dance, where reductions in standard seat dimensions make way for these elite spaces in 737-800s and 737 MAX 8s.
The Punchline
So here’s the skinny: Southwest is diving headlong into upgrading their airplanes’ insides to serve those with knee-craving aspirations. From April’s end until the final days of 2025, they’re busy bees. Yet, the clock strikes September 2025 before they pull the curtain back fully on assigned seating sales, only for flights from early 2026.
Consider yourself in the loop. As you jet off with Southwest Under their current laissez-faire seating style, remember, it’s all about the journey, not the destination… right?
Thoughts? Feel like chatting about Southwest’s latest blueprint in reconfiguring 737s? Join the conversation! Take a break and get inspired by more getaways like the Val Seny ski resort in France.