Southwest shares soar on fourfold profit-jump forecast as assigned seating kicks in

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Airlines has ended its open seating policy, a practice that has been in place since the 1970s, which has elicited mixed reactions from customers and investors [1] Group 1 - The change in seating policy has been implemented this week, marking a significant shift in the airline's operational strategy [1] - Long-time customers and loyalists have expressed disappointment regarding the end of open seating, indicating a potential impact on customer satisfaction [1] - Investors, however, appear to be optimistic about the change, suggesting that it may lead to improved revenue and operational efficiency for the airline [1]