u/Due_Tomato960

From the perspective of an ALP flier, I am very glad they did all these changes (aside from charging for bags, which would make boarding A+ as inevitably they are checking a bunch of bags they never were previously). Getting assigned seats changed the game on the wheelchair debacle that I have seen escalating over the past 6 years which basically slowed the whole boarding process in a big way (let alone the premium seats were usually occupied which negated the benefits for their frequent fliers who might have paid extra). But now pushing ALP to their own group just made the whole process even more chill as I am usually the 2nd-10th passenger boarding (and allows the front ELR seats to put their bags right above their seat). Out of the last 12 trips I have taken this year since assigned seating began, each one of their changes has made it better for ALPs and boarding…and as a business traveler one actually feels like they have a somewhat premium experience even if SW does not have 1st (this is super comparable to Main Cabin Extra/Comfort+ on AA/DL w/o being behind the 1st class folks). More importantly, my 100% full flights now seem to be departing on time…which was not the case last year when there were 15 pre boarders, bag charges and people sitting away from their luggage.

Long story short, hat tip for the changes (wish it happened sooner!)

From the perspective of an ALP flier, I am very glad they did all these changes (aside from charging for bags, which would make boarding A+ as inevitably they are checking a bunch of bags they never were previously). Getting assigned seats changed the game on the wheelchair debacle that I have seen escalating over the past 6 years which basically slowed the whole boarding process in a big way (let alone the premium seats were usually occupied which negated the benefits for their frequent fliers who might have paid extra). But now pushing ALP to their own group just made the whole process even more chill as I am usually the 2nd-10th passenger boarding (and allows the front ELR seats to put their bags right above their seat). Out of the last 12 trips I have taken this year since assigned seating began, each one of their changes has made it better for ALPs and boarding…and as a business traveler one actually feels like they have a somewhat premium experience even if SW does not have 1st (this is super comparable to Main Cabin Extra/Comfort+ on AA/DL w/o being behind the 1st class folks). More importantly, my 100% full flights now seem to be departing on time…which was not the case last year when there were 15 pre boarders, bag charges and people sitting away from their luggage.

Long story short, hat tip for the changes (wish it happened sooner!)

From the perspective of an ALP flier, I am very glad they did all these changes (aside from charging for bags, which would make boarding A+ as inevitably they are checking a bunch of bags they never were previously). Getting assigned seats changed the game on the wheelchair debacle that I have seen escalating over the past 6 years which basically slowed the whole boarding process in a big way (let alone the premium seats were usually occupied which negated the benefits for their frequent fliers who might have paid extra). But now pushing ALP to their own group just made the whole process even more chill as I am usually the 2nd-10th passenger boarding (and allows the front ELR seats to put their bags right above their seat). Out of the last 12 trips I have taken this year since assigned seating began, each one of their changes has made it better for ALPs and boarding…and as a business traveler one actually feels like they have a somewhat premium experience even if SW does not have 1st (this is super comparable to Main Cabin Extra/Comfort+ on AA/DL w/o being behind the 1st class folks). More importantly, my 100% full flights now seem to be departing on time…which was not the case last year when there were 15 pre boarders, bag charges and people sitting away from their luggage.

Long story short, hat tip for the changes (wish it happened sooner!)