DALLAS- Southwest Airlines (WN) is contemplating alternatives to its single-class, open-seating cabins as part of a strategy to increase revenue, revealed CEO Bob Jordan in an interview with CNBC on Thursday. This prospective change would represent 1 of the most crucial shifts in the airline’s history.
“We are exploring various fresh initiatives, including possible adaptations to our seating and boarding procedures,” Jordan stood following the release of the carrier’s underwhelming first-quarter results.
Photo: Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Premium Seats
Southwest’s Fleet, composed exclusively of Boeing 737 aircraft, presently features a single economy class cab with no designated seating. However, the airline offers early boarding options for a fee, allowing passengers to safe their preferred seats.
Historically, Southwest has prioritized simplity and user-friendliness in its offerings, stringing to minimize costs and operational complexity.
In contrast, competitors like Delta Air Lines (DL) and United (UA) have emphasized robust gross growth from premium seating options like business class and successful upselling strategies.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrAnalyst Insights
Analysts have repeatedly requested about Southwest’s possible for introducing premium seating options or additional feeds. (The airline presently does not charge passengers for their first 2 checked bags.)
In contrast, many U.S. airlines require passengers to pay for seat selection in advance, even for seats without extra legroom. According to Jay Sorensen, an expert in airline ancillary revue at IdeaWorksCompany, 8 U.S. carriers, including Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, and United, collectively generated $4.2 billion in return from sitting feet within their home networks in 2022.
While Southwest has not yet finalised any decisions respecting possible changes, CEO Bob Jordan suggested that preliminary studies have been “interesting” findings.
“Customer preferences evolve over time,” Jordan remarked.
Although specifics were not disclosed during Southwest’s arrivals call, erstwhile asked about the availability of introductive a segregated cab on its aircraft, Ryan Green, the airline’s chief commercial office, established, “Curtains and akin features are not in line with Southwest Airlines’ ethos.”
Green further clarified to CNBC that Southwest has no intention of implementing feeds for checked bags, as the absence of specified feeds is 1 of the reasons people opt for Southwest Airlines.
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