Southwest Airlines is gearing up for some big changes over the next two years, and the airline is betting the overhaul will bring big benefits to passengers.
In addition to the increase and shift in red-eye flights to your designated seat After 50 years of open seating, Southwest Airlines is redesigning the cabin interiors of its 800 existing aircraft.
“This is a very significant change. This may be one of the most significant changes we’ve ever seen,” said Ryan, executive vice president of commercial transformation at Southwest. Green told CBS News’ Chris Van Cleve, who recently caught a glimpse of it. cabin of the future.
Passengers in the Southwest will notice a difference, Van Cleve said of the redesign. Changes include new seat and device trays for all passengers in the cabin, as well as charging ports at every seat.
For an additional fee, premium seats with 3 to 4 inches of additional legroom are also available on refurbished planes.
“Customers want all kinds of premiums, and legroom is a great value on long flights,” Southwest CEO Bob Jordan told CBS News. Ta.
Southwest Airlines announced it will begin taking reservations for reserved-seat flights in the second half of 2025, with travel in the first half of 2026. It also comes at a time when the airline plans to make newly designed cabins available, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Jordan and other Southwest executives outlined: Airline remodeling plan At an investor meeting in Dallas this week. The changes come as the airline, long known for its loyal customers, seeks to meet the evolving needs of passengers and increase revenue.
“Consumer preferences have changed, and the way they fly has changed,” Jordan said.
Kris Van Cleave contributed to this report.
