Maybe old news, but just scanned thru the oral transcript from the 9/26 Investor Day event, and found these interesting, maybe clarifying some of our assumptions so far:
https://www.southwestairlinesinvesto...transcript.pdf
No hybrid open/assigned arrangement (I think we've all assumed it's gonna be all assigned)
...Let's start with the core product, where we will reinvent and greatly improve our offering. Customers ask for assigned seating, and we're going to give them options to select a seat of their choice at the time they make their booking.
Gone will be the days of setting alarm clocks 24 hours in advance of a flight to secure a good boarding position in a good seat.
WGA fare doesn't get an assigned seat until check-in
Of course, if a customer doesn't value the ability to choose their seat in advance, they will be able to purchase our lowest fare without paying additional money just as they do today. A seat will be assigned to those customers prior to their travel.
WGA+ gets to pick a seat in the back at the time of booking if they don't chose to pay extra fee for an extended legroom or up-front seat
And the ability to select a seat at the time of booking is a very attractive feature and drives buy up between fare bundles. And that will be included as part of our Wanna Get Away Plus fare bundle.
Everyone gets an assigned seat AND a boarding position; boarding will remain relatively the same
Turning to boarding. We are known for the relative calmness of our boarding process in the gate area itself. And because our customers are used to lining up to board the aircraft in order and next to stanchions, we expect our future boarding process to feel very familiar and uniquely Southwest. In addition to a seat assignment, customers will receive a boarding position number and will line up in orders similar to how they do it today.