Southwest Airlines said Thursday that it plans to drop the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years and will start assigning passengers to seats, just like all the other big airlines.

Southwest Airlines' press release did not provide a specific start date for its new assigned and premium seating program. The press release did indicate that Southwest Airlines officials intend to ...

"After listening carefully to customers and conducting extensive research, Southwest decided it will assign seats and offer premium seating options on all flights," the announcement said.

Southwest Airlines Plans to Start Assigning Seats, Breaking With a 50-Year Tradition DALLAS (AP) — Goodbye, cattle call. Southwest Airlines said Thursday that it plans to drop the open-boarding ...