Southwest Airlines is transitioning from its longstanding open-seating policy to assigned seating, sparking a debate among customers and influencers about the impact on the airline's brand identity and efficiency. Influencers are divided, with some praising the move for customer convenience and revenue generation, while others worry it undermines Southwest's unique appeal. An advocacy group for plus-sized travelers, NAAFA, has petitioned Southwest to maintain its Customer of Size policy, expressing concerns about accessibility under the new seating arrangements. Southwest's CEO, Robert Jordan, acknowledges the backlash but believes it will eventually win over critics. The airline cites research indicating that the majority of its customers prefer assigned seating, especially for longer flights. Despite this, some frequent flyers threaten to boycott the airline, highlighting the strong emotional attachment to the open-seating model.