Southwest Airways is gearing up for some main adjustments over the subsequent two years, an overhaul the service is betting will win huge with passengers.

Together with extra red-eye flights and a shift to assigned seating after 50 years of open seating, Southwest is redesigning the inside cabins of its 800 present plane.

“This can be a very important change. It might be one of the important adjustments we have ever gone via,” Ryan Inexperienced, Southwest’s govt vice chairman industrial transformation, instructed CBS Information’ Kris Van Cleave, who not too long ago bought a sneak peek on the future cabins. 

Southwest passengers will discover the distinction, stated Van Cleave of the redesign. Adjustments embrace new seat trays and gadget trays for all passengers all through the cabin, in addition to charging ports in all the seats.

For an extra price, premium seating with 3-4 inches of further legroom may also be provided on refurbished planes. 

“Clients need premium of all types, and should you’re flying longer, that additional legroom is price so much,” Southwest CEO Bob Jordan instructed CBS Information. 

Southwest says it is going to start reserving flights with assigned seats within the second half of 2025 for journey within the first half of 2026. That is additionally when the airline expects the newly designed cabins to be obtainable, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Jordan and different Southwest executives outlined the airline’s reworking plans this week at an investor assembly in Dallas. The adjustments come as the corporate, lengthy identified for its loyal prospects, seems to satisfy passengers’ evolving wants and enhance its backside line.

Stated Jordan, “Shopper preferences have modified and, the best way we fly has modified.”

contributed to this report.