A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 lands at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on May 7, 2023.
Nicholas Economou
Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC on Thursday that the company is considering changes to its cabin that could include moving away from the single-class, open-seating system to boost revenue.
The changes would mark a dramatic shift for an airline that has set itself apart from rivals for decades with a simple business model.
“We’re looking at new initiatives, the way we sit and board,” Jordan said in an interview after the airline took off. Disappointing first quarter report.
Everything in the Southwest—The Boeing Company The 737 fleet has only one economy class cabin and no seat assignments, but it offers passengers early boarding for a fee so they can grab the seat of their choice. The airline has spent years trying to keep its products simple and user-friendly, aiming to keep costs and complexity to a minimum.
Meanwhile, competitors included Delta And unity Strong upsell rates demand higher revenue growth for premium seats like business class.
Jordan said no decision has been made on what Southwest will eventually change, but he said the research has yielded “interesting” results.
“Consumer preferences change over time,” says Jordan.
– CNBC Phil LeBeau Contribute to this report.
