In Defense of Southwest's Open-Seating Policy

Look, I absolutely see the value in order and structure. I wash my sheets once a week, I write a to-do list in my Notes app every morning, and I meal prep most Sundays. But when it comes to flying, there's something refreshingly chaotic about Southwest's policies.

In the world of air travel, where other people are completely responsible for getting me from point A to point B, Southwest's open-seating policy is a breath of fresh air: it gives me a little ounce of control that feels empowering. Its two-checked-bags-for-free policy? Even better.

And yet, with recent news that Southwest is retiring its open-seating policy and no longer allowing two free checked bags for all passengers, I can't help but to wonder why.

As an avid Southwest flier and credit card member, I know how to hack the open-seating policy. I know to set my alarm the day before my flight so that I can check in and secure an A- or B- boarding position. I know that I'll have a better chance of securing a window seat when I walk past the emergency exit rows. And I also know that Southwest's open-seating policy has allowed the company to remain more affordable than other notable airline companies. What I don't know is how a whopping 80 percent of Southwest customers prefer assigned seating, per the company's findings.

I can see how it may be a stressful boarding process for some, but the best thing about an open-seating policy is the open seating. Instead of being placed next to strangers, I can vibe-check the people around me and decide who I want to sit next to. Of course, I don't mean this in a judgmental way. It's more so that the policy saves me from being forced to sit next to a manspreader or someone listening to music without headphones on.

The open-seating policy also keeps things fair. When I'm on another airline, I can't help but to feel like a peasant when I'm walking past first-class passengers on my way to economy. I know they pay for that roomy leg room and fresh cocktails in hand, but on Southwest, all seats are created equal. The person in a business suit is treated no better than the student wearing sweatpants. Now, with Southwest's initiative to bring "premium seating," I fear that won't be the case.

Another thing: the Southwest check-in process puts the responsibility on the passengers. If you remember to check-in 24 hours before your flight time, you'll secure a better boarding position, which will set you up well to find a window or aisle seat. But even if you forget to check-in, you still have an option to pay more to get a better boarding pass number. With Southwest's current open-seating policy, the responsible are rewarded. Now, it seems the company is prioritizing the passengers who can dish out the most money.

Ultimately, Southwest's open-seating and two-free-checked-bags policies kept things affordable. By foregoing these completely, I can only assume that the airline will start to charge more — the exact reason I've avoided booking with other airlines in the first place. What am I supposed to do now?

Taylor Andrews (she/her) is the balance editor at PS, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With seven years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.