How to Keep Seats Free on Southwest Flights: Traveler Shares Tips That May Backfire
June 19, 2023

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Despite the airline’s success, they have one unique policy that can leave travelers scratching their heads – they do not assign seats before passengers board the plane, leaving it up to passengers to choose their own seats. While this may be common knowledge for veteran travelers, one traveler recently shared a tip on how to guarantee a row of seats to yourself on Southwest flights – though it could backfire. That way, you can ensure that you will have a row of free seats and won’t have to worry about someone else grabbing them. Unfortunately, Southwest Airlines ($NYSE:LUV) has caught on to this trick and has started cracking down on travelers who attempt to secure a row of seats before everyone else checks-in.
The airline has stated that they reserve the right to re-assign seats at any time for any reason, including if they believe travelers are attempting to secure multiple rows of seats for themselves. So, while it may be tempting to try this trick, it may not be worth the risk of having your seat reassigned at the last minute.
Price History
It’s no hidden secret that Southwest Airlines has had a strong weekend flight performance. On Friday, the stock opened at $29.2 and closed at $29.6, up by 1.4% from last closing price of 29.2. But, how do you keep the seat free on Southwest flight? First, he suggests trying to get a standby seat for a different flight.
However, this could mean that you’ll have to check in earlier and arrive at the airport earlier, and there’s no guarantee that there will be free seats available. Another tip is to book multiple flights at once, then cancel the others and keep the one you want. This can be a costly tactic, however, as cancellation fees may apply and you could end up spending more than necessary. The traveler also recommends calling the customer service line and asking for a complimentary upgrade, but this is not guaranteed either. In fact, it may not even be an option depending on availability and your loyalty status with the airline. Considering the company’s impressive flight performance, seats are likely to fill up quickly. It’s important to weigh your options carefully before making any decisions or commitments. Live Quote…
About the Company
Income Snapshot
Below shows the total revenue, net income and net margin for Southwest Airlines. More…
| Total Revenues | Net Income | Net Margin |
| 24.83k | 680 | 2.8% |
Cash Flow Snapshot
Below shows the cash from operations, investing and financing for Southwest Airlines. More…
| Operations | Investing | Financing |
| 3.42k | -5.18k | -2.98k |
Balance Sheet Snapshot
Below shows the total assets, liabilities and book value per share for Southwest Airlines. More…
| Total Assets | Total Liabilities | Book Value Per Share |
| 35.55k | 25.24k | 17.32 |
Key Ratios Snapshot
Some of the financial key ratios for Southwest Airlines are shown below. More…
| 3Y Rev Growth | 3Y Operating Profit Growth | Operating Margin |
| 4.9% | -27.7% | 4.7% |
| FCF Margin | ROE | ROA |
| -4.3% | 7.0% | 2.1% |
Analysis
At GoodWhale, we conducted a fundamental analysis of SOUTHWEST AIRLINES and assigned it to our ‘Rhino’ category. Companies in this category have achieved moderate revenue or earnings growth. We found that SOUTHWEST AIRLINES is strong in asset, medium in dividend, profitability and weak in growth. Furthermore, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES has a high health score of 8/10 with regard to its cashflows and debt, making it likely that the company will be able to sustain future operations even during times of crisis. Given these characteristics, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES may be of interest to investors looking for companies with stable performance over the long-term. This type of investor may not be looking for high potential returns, but instead seeks to minimize risk and takes a conservative approach to investing. More…

Peers
Southwest Airlines Co has been in a constant competition with its competitors, Delta Air Lines Inc, United Airlines Holdings Inc, and American Airlines Group Inc. All these companies are striving to get a larger market share in the airline industry.
– Delta Air Lines Inc ($NYSE:DAL)
Delta Air Lines Inc is an airline company with a market cap of 20.61B as of 2022. The company has a Return on Equity of 21.65%. Delta Air Lines Inc is one of the major airlines in the United States and offers both domestic and international flights.
– United Airlines Holdings Inc ($NASDAQ:UAL)
United Airlines is an American airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company has a market capitalization of $12.77 billion as of 2022 and a return on equity of 9.14%. The company operates a fleet of over 700 aircraft and serves more than 350 destinations worldwide. United Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance.
– American Airlines Group Inc ($NASDAQ:AAL)
American Airlines Group Inc is an airline holding company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It was formed in 2014 after the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. As of 2022, American Airlines Group Inc has a market cap of 8.75B and a Return on Equity of 5.3%. The company operates a mainline fleet of 940 aircraft and serves 350 destinations in 50 countries. American Airlines Group Inc has been profitable in each of the past four years.
Summary
Investing in Southwest Airlines can be a sound decision for an investor. Its strong financials and cost-saving strategies make it a market leader in the airline industry. It has a competitive edge with its low-cost strategy, focusing on cost-cutting initiatives such as unbundling fares and charging for checked bags.
Additionally, its focus on customer service has paid off, evidenced by its high customer satisfaction ratings. Southwest also has a strong loyalty program, which is an important factor for long-term success in the airline industry. Overall, Southwest Airlines offers an attractive return on investment opportunity for investors.
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