Did a flight on one of Southwest's test routes where they're experimenting with assigned seating (quite the departure from their signature open boarding).
As someone who typically books Business Select for guaranteed A1-15 boarding, I was curious to see how this would compare. The new configuration includes dedicated extra-legroom seats in the front - I managed to secure 2A, which offered a surprisingly generous 39 inches of pitch. The service flow felt more refined and organized than the usual scramble.
While I appreciate Southwest maintaining their no-fee checked bags policy, this seating trial feels like a strategic move to attract more premium travelers who prefer certainty in their seat assignments. The front cabin setup reminds me of JetBlue's Even More Space product, though Southwest's implementation seems more thoughtfully designed for frequent travelers. The dedicated overhead bin space for premium seats was a particularly nice touch, though I do wonder if this signals the eventual end of Southwest's egalitarian boarding model that many travelers have come to appreciate.
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