Charlie Moss, the visionary advertising executive credited with producing the stunningly successful “I ♥ NY” tourism campaign in the mid-1970s — a time when garbage, graffiti, crime, racial strife and a serial killer made America’s cultural capital anything but lovable — died on Aug. 5 at his home in Wainscott, N.Y., on Long Island. He was 85.
Passengers Loved Southwest Airlines’ Open Boarding. Now What?
01.08.2024 - 17:27 / nytimes.com
On Thursday, Southwest Airlines announced that its unique boarding system allowing passengers to choose their own seats would change to assigned seating. The carrier had been mulling the change for months, but the announcement still came as a shock to passengers, as the open-seating policy had been in place for more than 50 years and earned the airline ardent and loyal fans — as well as plenty of detractors.
With open seating, passengers weren’t assigned seats at purchase or upon check in, but instead received a boarding position — a letter group and a number. At the gate, passengers would stand in line according to their boarding position, and then once on the plane, could choose any seat they wanted, first come, first served.
As word of the change quickly spread, dedicated Southwest travelers expressed strong emotional reactions on social media and the discussion forum on Southwest’s website. Some, like Evan Bell, hope the carrier reverses the plan.
“I’m definitely discouraged from flying with Southwest,” said Mr. Bell, of Indianapolis. “I looked forward to flying with them, because I could sit anywhere.”
To Mr. Bell and other passengers, the airline had little comfort: “We know that assigned seating is not preferable for every customer,” it responded repeatedly on X to worried posts. “We’re evolving to meet changing customer preferences, and our research clearly indicates a desire for assigned seating.”
Travelers also speculated online about when assigned seating would begin next year, how it would work with current expedited boarding offerings and what other changes could follow: Will the airline charge for assigned seats, putting it squarely in line with most other domestic airlines? And what about the two free checked bags that Southwest allots each traveler, another of the airline’s idiosyncrasies. When other airlines are increasing baggage fees, will that appreciated perk disappear as well?
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
insider.com
15.08.2024 / 21:41
A Southwest Airlines employee was charged with theft after police say he printed $79,000 in flight vouchers at a Missouri airport
A Southwest Airlines customer service agent based at St. Louis Lambert International Airport has been charged with theft after police say he printed $79,000 worth of flight vouchers.
thepointsguy.com
15.08.2024 / 13:40
Amex Platinum cardholders can reserve US Open lounge space, plus additional perks
It's almost that time of the year: thrilling tennis matches, chilled honey deuce cocktails and some nice lounges to enjoy them in. That's right, the U.S. Open is back from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8, and if you have an American Express credit card, there are lots of benefits you can unlock.
lonelyplanet.com
14.08.2024 / 08:52
When is the best time to visit Copenhagen?
Aug 13, 2024 • 4 min read
lonelyplanet.com
12.08.2024 / 17:25
The 20 best free things to do in Copenhagen, from mermaids to museums
Aug 12, 2024 • 11 min read
travelandleisure.com
07.08.2024 / 15:07
Deal Hunters Can Now See Southwest Flights on Kayak — What to Know
Southwest Airlines flights can now be booked online in more ways than ever — including with the popular travel website, Kayak.
thepointsguy.com
26.07.2024 / 19:55
The end of an era: Why I'm sad about Southwest Airlines saying farewell to open seating
I've flown and loved Southwest Airlines since 1992 — yes, that long. Even as other travelers raved about their favorite airlines where frequent flyer programs could unlock lie-flat seats and fancy upgrades, I favored Southwest. I might have even been the only TPG staffer who ranked Southwest first on their airline preference list when I started in 2019.
travelandleisure.com
26.07.2024 / 19:01
This Is Where You Should Sit on Southwest Flights for Fastest Drink Service, According to a Flight Attendant
While Southwest just announced changes to its seating program (gone are the days of seat free-for-alls), one thing that hasn’t changed is its beverage program. The jostle of the cart, the “what would you like?” and the “ice or no ice?” But while you wait for your drink, you might be interested to know that the service starts in certain rows, and those rows are well-known before a flight. So yes, you can get your drink first.
cntraveler.com
26.07.2024 / 00:05
Southwest Ends Its Open Seating Policy—Could More Changes Be on the Way?
Southwest Airlines just announced a monumental shift in its passenger experience. The Dallas-based carrier said on July 25 that it plans to soon introduce seat assignments, as well as premium extra-legroom areas on board its fleet of narrow-body aircraft.
nytimes.com
25.07.2024 / 19:57
Southwest Airlines Will End Its Longstanding Open-Seating Policy
Southwest Airlines will start assigning seats to passengers, ending its longstanding policy of allowing passengers to pick their seats once they have boarded, the airline said on Thursday.
travelandleisure.com
25.07.2024 / 18:14
Southwest Ends Its Open Boarding Policy, Adds First-ever Overnight Flights
It’s been whispered about for months, but now it’s official. After more than 50 years, Southwest Airlines is doing away with one of its signature policies — open seating.
thepointsguy.com
25.07.2024 / 17:13
Southwest Airlines will end open seating: What you need to know
Southwest Airlines is ditching open seating, one of the hallmarks of its brand over the last half-century. Southwest is moving forward with plans to add assigned seating, the airline announced Thursday. It's also planning to add extra-legroom seats to its cabin for the first time.