Originally Posted by
ATLflyer2017
Given that Southwest has open seating, how does this work? I assume some people are traveling together and would like to sit together, while others don't. Are flight attendants blocking middle seats? How has the boarding process changed?
On my last few flights they were making announcements both at the gate, and as boarding proceeded, which said:
1) Middle seats were to be left open, unless you were travelling with family or otherwise in a group.
2) On one flight, which was "full" under the new guidelines, they pointed out that family/groups flying together would be required to use middle seats (as not enough would be available otherwise).
3) On the same "full" flight they were also reminding people that they would have to share their row, and not to expect to find an empty row for yourself. (This was during boarding, as people slowed *way* down, looking for empty rows as you might look for an empty aisle or window).
First and last few rows were also blocked, with tray tables down, but no particular announcement was made.