Read previewWhen Southwest Airlines announced Thursday it was dropping its unique plane seating system, I was among the (apparently small) group of people who reacted with disappointment. In announcing the policy change, Southwest said their research showed 80% of customers preferred an assigned seating system, while 86% of new customers did. AdvertisementIt also means navigating the chaos that can be found at essentially every other airline's gate besides Southwest. Some families also love Southwest's open seating policy for this reason. But without the open seating, the airline is losing part of what sets it apart — even if that means gaining new customers.

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Persons: —, Sean Cudahy, Guy, I'm, aren't, Cudahy, it's, Jason Steffen, Southwest's, Cudahey, Steffen Organizations: Service, Southwest Airlines, Business, Southwest, University of Nevada Locations: Southwest, Burbank , California, Denver, Las Vegas