@MKE-ATL wrote:
The methodology is a big concern. Preferring assigned seating doesn't necessarily equate to choosing other airlines over SW. One can prefer assigned seating and still be loyal to SW, just as a person who prefers assigned seating may still never choose SW even with assigned seating. The real methodology should address the elasticity of that preference as well. People who prefer open seating are a niche market which SW has a stronghold on, while people who prefer paying for assigned seats have many choices. Is the elasticity of your market that likes the seating policy weaker than the demand that assigned seating can bring. Given that many of SW's most loyal customers are potentially loyal because of the seating policy, does it risk sending them to the competition without wooing enough of the people from the competition.
Also, given that AA had similar financial results, is a knee-jrk reaction the best long term choice given the historical success of SW's Financials. If the industry as a whole is in a similar slump, is SW risking long term financials by trying to fix the short term.
Exactly this as well - was Southwest "not doing it right" when they were cleaning up against the field with their 2019 margins? A lot has taken place since then and maybe the old way of doing things can bounce back or be adjusted work better instead of completely changing everything.
There aren't planes and pilots available to poach a bunch of passengers away from the other guys right now anyway, assuming that the flow of passengers will be a net favorable gain for Southwest.
I hope it works out but I'm nervous.
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