Major Airlines Overhaul Passenger Policies and Premium Services

A new era of air travel begins today as major U.S. carriers like American Airlines, Delta, and United implement significant policy shifts.

Southwest Airlines has officially ended its historic open seating model, moving to assigned seating for all flights starting this January.

At the same time, airlines are cracking down on personal item dimensions, with stricter gate enforcement to ensure bags fit under seats and avoid overhead bin congestion.

On a positive note, free Wi-Fi has become a standard feature on nearly 90% of many major fleets as of this morning, often linked to frequent flyer memberships.

Airlines are also expanding their long-haul routes, with new direct services to destinations like Budapest, Riyadh, and the Bahamas.

This shift is accompanied by a 45% increase in premium seating capacity, catering to the growing demand for comfort on international journeys.