There are many reasons I do not fly Southwest Airlines, but one reason is certainly due to the lack of assigned seats. That leads to some rather remarkable spectacles, like a boorish woman reserving 13 seats…and somehow getting away with it.
Claim: Woman Reserved 13 Seats On Southwest Airlines All By Herself…And Prevailed
A passenger shared the following account on reddit:
Flew a 4-hour domestic flight on Saturday. I boarded with family group. A few rows back from the exit row seats, I stepped into an empty row and noticed 2 hats were on them (both Jesus related hats, lol). Woman in row behind says she’s saving those as they are a group of 13 (!). She’s the only one of 13 currently on the plane.
I explain how embarrassing, cheap, and rude her behavior is, she has nothing to say but sorry. Flight attendant two rows up stay out of it as expected. We sit in the row across From her.
Somehow her seat saving works for the full flight, no one else tried to take any of her 3×4 seating arrangement as far as I can tell. Her group is all white most decked out in Jesus gear, all C group. All were at least 16 years old and adults, and I didn’t catch any of them speaking to each other at all on the flight.
My wife and I listened closely knowing there could be some more drama.
The last few boarders arrive, and a larger woman of color asks the ringleader if the open window next to her is available. She said yes, that person is in the bathroom currently. This isn’t true, because the skinny person behind her (the very last person to need a seat) asks and she lets him in.
The whole group was polite and the flight was smooth, but WOW was that woman brazen.
All I can say (if this story is true) is WOW…that takes a lot of guts.
And frankly, it is deplorable behavior.
The Jesus references especially bother me. It’s clear (and relevant) why this is mentioned twice. That’s because it apepars that the ringleader lied to the larger woman to avoid sitting next to her. That’s not cool for anyone, but especially tacky for a follower of Jesus (you know, that whole thing about being truthful…).
Honestly, if I ever fly Southwest I think I’d make it a point to specifically seek out people like this who are trying to hold seats and then occupy one of them. If you’re asking if a seat is available, you’re asking to be told no. Just take it if it is open!
And while I know flight attendants have no desire to deal with folks like this, the least they can do is stop people from reserving seats.
Do you reserve seats on Southwest Airlines? If so, what gives you the right to do so?
image: Southwest Airlines // hat tip: View From The Wing
Hey Matthew, I am the post author, and read your blog daily. I couldn’t believe you and Gary both picked this up!
Surprisingly no one took issue with the saving and the flight went well. A fortunate end to a South America trip w/ infant on points (UA 60k J IAH-EZE from last spring’s flash sale; LATAM J via BA; 4 nights presidential suite @ Park Hyatt Mendoza on a SNA, and more).
Oh cool…love the Park Hyatt Mendoza! Thanks for writing.
Being a SWA retiree this brings back so many unpleasant memories, I can’t believe it is still happening.
I would 100% have moved a hat and sat where I wanted. No way one A boarding pass entitles someone to 13 preferred seats. I love the PH Mendoza as well, but I wish they would get rid of the casino. It is very off brand, fills the lobby with cigarette smoke, and brings a lot of non-guests through the hotel.
Always skeptical when it’s a first time poster/commenter on Reddit posting bait like this
Southwest, the airline for white trash that think they are too good for Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant.
As for the religious aspect, we shouldn’t be surprised. The country is filled with “believers” who don’t live the lifestyle and examples are everywhere around us daily.
But back to Southwest, is it really the ladies fault when the FA allows it?
Because such a better class of people flies on AA, UA, and DL, especially when Basic Economy mode is engaged. Sorry, I forgot the clowns who ‘earn’ their special status through FF miles racked up on their employers’ travel budgets and then think they’re Thurston Howell III, entitled to slavish worship even though they’re slightly elevated wage slaves.
Yes, it’s the lady’s fault. We have an obligation to regulate our own behavior rather than testing the boundaries of enforcement.
If I break into your house and steal your watch is it still my fault even if the cops won’t come after me? YES.
Matthew, I don’t doubt your sincerity in how you practice religion, but these days I wouldn’t really expect Godly behavior from someone wearing a Jesus hat. It seems many people who identify as Christians have co-opted Millennia of faith traditions into US domestic political grandstanding.
You may wear a cross necklace when you fly, but I doubt you wear a “Jesus on a motorcycle blasting through a flaming American flag jumping over the Grand Canyon” T-shirt. Or even a hat.
Jerry, keeping in mind those who worship the devil can buy Jesus caps and shirts.
The time on this is so perfect. This morning, I flew Southwest for the first time in many years. I avoid it as much as I can but I needed to be at my destination very early and SW was the only flight that would fit my needs. All I can sais that it is a different crowd that flies SW. The best analogy is to shopping at Walmart. That’s the crowd you see on your flight.
I was a Flight Attendant with SWA for 32 years. I never allowed people to save seats. I would always state they have to board together and hope for the best. If they tried to save seats and another person wanted the saved seats, they could have it. I finally retired. I don’t miss the open seating policy one bit
Scott, my friends were booked on SWA with a buy one get one free promotion with a 15-day Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise (my wife and I were blessed booked on American Airlines which we always fly). Because of no reservations on SWA my friends say they will never fly nor recommend SWA and we are rethinking ever using Norwegian’s airlines promotion package again if it includes SWA. Maybe just a different cruise line.
If Southwest wants to be a big-time airline, they have to have assigned seats. They don’t need a huge customer service phone bank because people will choose it on the website.
There are plenty of programmers that could design the system.
That’s what I’ve been saying: If Southwest wants to be a biggie, they have to have assigned seats. Their profits would also go up. I try and avoid Southwest as I just want my aisle seat with no issues. In fact, I have a Southwest credit I need to use and was looking to take a trip, and was hesitating on using it because…it’s Southwest. The airline itself is decent (with the exception of their dumb routing network) but the seating is really what keeps me from flying them more.
Oh: And I live in a Southwest Hub!
Blame SOUTHWEST, not the boorish woman. Until WN decides to protect the integrity of their boarding order then seat saving is the reality. Preboarders and seat savers need to go to the BACK OF PLANE.
Sending pre-boarders to the back would increase boarding and turn times which Southwest certainly doesn’t want.
Here is the funny part of open seat policy. Completely full flight, my son and I were boarding at B50 and we both got exit row seats. Don’t people that fly SW like exit row seats?
Southwest passengers still think the doors are going to fly off.
Such a snob comment little Jerry. Did you have a bad day before engaging your brain
After spending 25 yrs. with SWA, I chose to retire in ’06. One of the primary reasons for my decision was the increase in poor behavior amongst travelers. With respect to this individual who saved these seats, it should never have been allowed to happen. The FA’s responsible should’ve politely explained the company policy and if necessary, refer the situation to the supervisory ground staff for further action.
You should know their policy is, there is no policy. Flight Attendants are not allowed to get involved. Since there is no policy for or against saving seats, this will continue to be a problem. It’s chaos because they have no rules or company policy.
I love Southwest. It’s my favorite airlines. What does big-time Airlines mean? Do you know they have the most number of domestic flights in the US? 800 airplanes. Is that too small for you? They are so kind and friendly. I don’t fly anything else.
This is why Southwest is my last choice airline. If I wanted to fight over seats like a second grader on a school bus, I’d take a school bus.
LOL.. why would the author specify the color of the people – and they were a religious group.?? does it matter? A litlle confused… and as far as horrible beahavior – they weren’t drunk , the police weren’t called … seems like a normal flight. These things are avoided if the seats were assigned.. they aren’t – so no big deal in the scheme of things.
The info was called out because of the racist undertones and the “Godly” behavior.
It was just to try to link Christianity to bigotry and racism, whether or not there’s any actual link and whether or not there’s any actual knowledge that the person saving seats is a Christian or a bigot or a racist. It’s just as likely that person was using Jesus advertising to give Christians a bad name as Matthew is doing. Saving seats is racist, obviously. I have flown Southwest once in my life. I found the lining up process very confusing as nobody had explained it to me ahead of time and I prefer an assigned seat and preferably, a first class seat if I can afford it.
Did the woman have guts or were the other pax too gutless? Dep4nding on seat availability, I wouldn’t tolerate behaviour like that and would calmly, and gently, just remove the offending hats.
I’m done coming here. Every story, article, or whatever you call this garbage, is a waste of time.
There are plenty of other websites related to aviation,..and I go to other ones as well.
Along with a few others, I am wondering about the authenticity of this account. Why didn’t this alleged woman just pull a ‘Jetway Jesus’ and request a wheelchair? Then, given WN’s liberal accompanying passenger policy, the rest of her entourage would board with her, ahead of A1+. Then by the power of Jesus, praise his name, she would be healed of her affliction shortly after landing.
WN lost it for me two years ago at MCI. Group C boarded, and then one flight attendant said over the PA, “We’re done boarding, if you’d like to spread out, please do so. Many people took her up on this. Then, more and more people boarded the flight, and it was becoming 100% full. Another flight attendant started yelling at passengers for having their sweaters and such on empty seats. What a Charlie Foxtrot.
Southwest does not enforce no seat saving nor does it say you can save seats. There are no set rules unfortunately. They leave it up to the passengers to work it out. The flight attendants try to not get in the middle of it because the company will not support them if things go wrong. All we can say is it’s open seating.
I have to smile at those who smugly display their “superiority complex” when they willingly pay for their seat on an aircraft. I am personally pleased that these people desire to fly on other airlines while I and thousands of other Southwest loyalists enjoy the money that we save for not paying for our seat, and our checked bags. As said, and rightfully so, – “A fool and his money are soon parted”.
I don’t think there’s a superiority complex. I just like my aisle seat without having to haggle and hustle for it. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
This is negligence by the flight attendants not doing their jobs and seeing that passengers are compliant with the rules, etiquette etc. (If there are any rules with no assigned seating. I wouldn’t fly SW because of the no assigned seating).
Seriously? Why do you feel it’s the Flight Attendants fault ? They aren’t there to babysit uncivility or bad manners caused by grown adults who should know better.
As stated above, Southwest does not enforce no seat saving nor does it say you can save seats. There are no set rules unfortunately. They leave it up to the passengers to work it out. The Flight Attendants try to not get in the middle of it because the company will not support them if things go wrong. All they can say is it’s open seating.
Adults need to be held accountable for their own actions. Flight Attendants aren’t your mothers.
Saying something to the flight attendant might have helped. She may not have heard the discussion.
Is there nothing in WN Conditions of Carriage or boarding policy that speaks to blocking seats? If not, there needs to be. I’m surprised no other passengers challenged.
I’m confused… does it matter where you sit on a Plane?? If you want a certain seat, fly an Airline that you can choose your seat. If you fly WN you know it’s not a choice! I ONLY fly “space available” standby on all Airlines… I’m happy to have any available seat!
Yes, it matters.
When there’s only one class, it doesn’t matter as much. Maybe tall folks want an exit row or someone wants to be up front to deplane sooner, but overall it’s not a major issue. On SWA I take a middle seat in the front so I can get on my way. Those are often open.
I flew round trip O’Hare to Vegas in June 2020. $17 each way on SW. I hadn’t flown in many years and never on SW so I didn’t know what was waiting for me. At those prices I should have bought two seats as I had a supertanker sitting next to me both ways. But hey, $34 dollars!
Free checked bags overrides the open seating police all day for me!!
Flight attendants don’t really care anymore now that they can’t go on a power trip anymore (mask mandates) are gone.
I fly Southwest all the time. I’ve been an A-list or A-list-preferred member every year for the last 13 years or so. I always get a decent boarding number and will save a seat for my wife if she’s flying with me. I think my long-time status with Southwest gives me that right.
But…someone saving 13 seats is not acceptable (on a full flight)…and a flight attendant should have stepped in if it’s an issue.
But Southwest has a bigger problem with boarding…and that’s all the pre-boarders that don’t seem to need to be pre-boarders. It seems like there are more of them the longer the flight is. Why someone that can walk down the boarding ramp to the plane and need to be a pre-boarder I don’t understand.