Southwest Airlines has made a notable adjustment to its plans for introducing extra-legroom seats, now pushing the start date to mid-2025. Initially set for March of this year, the retrofit of its aircraft will now occur later than anticipated, affecting the timing of its ambitious fleet transformation.
These extra-legroom seats, expected to cover approximately one-third of Southwest’s planes, will provide passengers with a generous 34 inches of space between rows, a significant increase compared to the standard 31 inches on the airline’s existing 737-7 aircraft. To accommodate this change, Southwest will slightly reduce the spacing between standard seats by one inch on its larger 737-8 planes, resulting in a reduced 31-inch row spacing. On the 737-7 planes, some of the current seats will be removed to create space for the added comfort.
As part of the airline’s broader strategy, the extra-legroom seats will not be sold as a separate product until 2026, when Southwest plans to introduce assigned seating. Until then, passengers who board early will have the first opportunity to secure these coveted extra-legroom seats.
This delay in the rollout is partially due to the need for additional certifications before the retrofit can begin. Ryan Green, Southwest’s executive vice president of transformation, explained that the carrier expects to receive FAA weight and balance certification for the new configuration in the first quarter of 2025. However, the Supplemental Type Certificate—another required certification likely won’t be awarded until the second quarter of the year. This extended timeline reflects the complexities of aircraft modifications and regulatory approval processes.
Once the retrofit begins, Southwest plans to update its fleet of approximately 800 planes at a rate of 50 to 100 aircraft per month. Although this delay may be disappointing for passengers looking forward to the extra space, Southwest remains optimistic about the project’s eventual success. The airline is focused on providing a more comfortable flying experience for its customers, which aligns with its ongoing commercial transformation plans.
Beyond seating changes, Southwest is making strides in other areas of its business. Green shared that the airline is moving forward with its partnership with Icelandair, which is set to launch on February 13, connecting Baltimore to Iceland and later expanding to Nashville and Denver. This partnership aims to open new routes for passengers, contributing to Southwest’s long-term growth.
Additionally, Southwest has rebranded its vacation packaging service to “Getaways by Southwest,” replacing the previous Southwest Vacations brand. A notable partnership with MGM Resorts in Las Vegas will allow Southwest to offer a broader selection of hotels for its vacation packages, positioning the airline as a stronger player in the vacation travel market.
Financially, Southwest reported a successful fourth quarter in 2024, posting a net income of $261 million. This marks a significant turnaround from the $252 million loss experienced in the same period the previous year. The airline also saw a modest increase in operating revenue, rising 1.6% to reach $6.9 billion. With lower fuel prices contributing to a 7.9% drop in operating expenses, the airline’s overall financial outlook remains positive.
For the year 2024, Southwest achieved net income of $465 million, maintaining the same level as in 2023. The airline’s revenue rose by 5.3% to $27.5 billion, largely driven by a 4.4% increase in capacity. CEO Bob Jordan remains confident that Southwest is on track to meet its financial goals for 2025, with projected margin improvements expected to range from 3% to 5%, a substantial increase from the 1.2% margin achieved in 2024.
In conclusion, while the delay in introducing extra-legroom seats may be a setback for Southwest passengers, the airline’s broader strategies are moving forward, ensuring its position as a key player in the competitive airline industry. With improvements in its fleet and new partnerships on the horizon, Southwest Airlines is focusing on long-term growth, aiming to deliver both financial success and enhanced customer experiences in the coming years.
