Southwest Airlines is making another dramatic shift in its boarding process, marking a departure from its signature single-file boarding system, according to Airlines Confidential, an industry-focused podcast. The Dallas-based airline, known for its unique open-seating model, now plans to implement a more traditional boarding group approach, similar to its competitors.
Justin Jones, Southwest’s executive vice president of operations, confirmed the change on the Airlines Confidential podcast. “As it stands today, we are going to do away with the lining up,” he stated. The changes will take effect alongside the introduction of assigned seating in early 2026.
This shift will impact major Southwest hubs, including Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), where passengers are accustomed to the silver stanchions guiding them to their numbered boarding positions.…