Call it “priority seating”, let them board the plane early, and charge extra for it. Based on the kindergarten-level aggression in the boarding lines I think people would still be fighting over them even without a window.
There was a change in corporate leadership after the collapse of Southwest’s IT due to a snowstorm. New management built a new IT system which allows them to sell the kinds of add-ons that other airlines can sell.
Overhead storage, usually. The earlier people get their pick of overhead storage. Later people either get a worse spot for their carry-on or the plane fills up and they have to check it.
Absolutely this. The gate check is the main concern. As a business traveler, I’m usually running on a tight schedule, and dealing with a checked bag is an extra 30 minutes minimum in my day. And if they lose my carry-on, I’m kinda fucked.
The overhead storage location can also be a hassle – if I have a tight connection at ATL, I don’t want to play leap frog for 20 minutes to get to my bag if the last open bin is in row 35 and I’m up in 15.
So yeah, I’m going to make sure I get to the head of my boarding group.
Call it “priority seating”, let them board the plane early, and charge extra for it. Based on the kindergarten-level aggression in the boarding lines I think people would still be fighting over them even without a window.
A sad display. For a 2h flight. I prefer to hang back and enter the plane last.
Especially since no seat on the plane will be as roomy as the one in the waiting area.
Southwest was the only airline to do non-assigned seating and they just gave that up.
As if they could have resisted all the extra money they can now use to lower their prices
There was a change in corporate leadership after the collapse of Southwest’s IT due to a snowstorm. New management built a new IT system which allows them to sell the kinds of add-ons that other airlines can sell.
I’ve never understood that. The plane leaves at the same time for everyone. Why hurry up to wait?
Overhead storage, usually. The earlier people get their pick of overhead storage. Later people either get a worse spot for their carry-on or the plane fills up and they have to check it.
Plus if they double-booked and don’t realize until you start loading, then whoever got the seat first wins.
Absolutely this. The gate check is the main concern. As a business traveler, I’m usually running on a tight schedule, and dealing with a checked bag is an extra 30 minutes minimum in my day. And if they lose my carry-on, I’m kinda fucked.
The overhead storage location can also be a hassle – if I have a tight connection at ATL, I don’t want to play leap frog for 20 minutes to get to my bag if the last open bin is in row 35 and I’m up in 15.
So yeah, I’m going to make sure I get to the head of my boarding group.
Yeah, the isle seat is better anyway.