Is this whole no seat assignment appealing to people or is this a cost thing or no better option thing b/c of where you fly from? I couldn't imagine not knowing beforehand that I have the seat type I desire. Btw, I'm tall.
They did "research" a long time ago and found that planes actually boarded faster this way.
Here you go
Faster boarding times
Over time, according to the airline, multiple studies have proven that its unallocated seating model has also improved boarding times. Faster boarding, in turn, generally contributes to more on-time departures and, ultimately, cost savings. The airline claims this translates into cheaper prices for passengers' tickets.
But as a consumer, is this a pref or are you stuck with this b/c this is your only airline option?
I like Southwest airlines.
I would guess over the years, I've flown with them at least 50 times. Can't really remember any issues. They are frequently on time, no issues with baggage, cost is good.
I've flown with Delta, American, United..... They are all fine, but the experience isn't anything better to me. And, the few times I've had issues (significant flight delays, cancellations, cost having to change tickets), it's been with those airlines.
Never had the option flying out of Newark,NJ. As long as you're pretty much guaranteed to get an aisle or window (I'd rather not go on vacation if I had to sit in the middle) without having to be one of those people that's waiting in line 15 minutes before they even start boarding, it would be fine.
I've never had a middle seat except for when I'm traveling with 3 of us. I've always gotten a decent boarding group. Here's why.
1) I set an alarm 24 hours before a flight. Checking in takes 30 seconds. Frequently that's enough to get B group or higher. The only times I've gotten a C boarding group is when I forgot or got distracted and didn't check in right away.
2) Southwest has "family boarding". Traveling with kids under 6 (and often they up it to kids under 12), you automatically get to board between the A and B group. This has been an option for us for the last 18+ years with kids that are currently aged 8 and 11 and 19. We are almost out of that window, but it's made traveling with them a non-issue.
3) The few times I got a C group, I just did Upgraded Boarding. Only needed it a handful of times, but again, becomes a non-issue except the cost. And with the credit card, it's reimbursed, so no cost.
The people that get stuck in middle seats must either never use Southwest, don't care, or are just too lazy/not proactive enough to avoid it. It takes minimal to no effort. That's why I said above it's overblown.