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None, '_source': {'date': '2026-03-02T18:36:43.749Z', 'lead': [{'data': {'title': 'Figgy’s Mixtape: Dating Cities, Babysitting & Southwest Changes', 'thumbnail_url': 'https://s2.dmcdn.net/v/Zvsoa1fUIruqC0gOM', 'id': 'x9ymv1g', 'created_time': 1769543657, 'mode': 'vod', 'private_id': 'k2A6N63Joans2BELtK4', 'owner': 'x2yitcg', 'description': 'Figgy’s Mixtape brings a mix of culture and chaos with the top cities for dating, Lopez needing to babysit the grandkids more, and Southwest Airlines ditching its open seating policy.<br />', 'channel': 'sport', 'tags': [], 'private': False, 'addPublic': True}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/dailymotion/instances/cmm9hir4r000s357x4ia74lsu@published'}], 'slug': 'southwests-new-seating-policy-branded-a-disaster', 'tags': ['Audacy News', 'Southwest Airlines'], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': 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src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&amp;feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F8003493_2026-03-01-161333&amp;withPlaylist=false&amp;theme=dark&amp;playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&amp;feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F8003493_2026-03-01-161333&amp;withPlaylist=false&amp;theme=dark&amp;playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmm9hpnn6001s357x2ajgebg0@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Users are taking to social media and to Reddit to voice complaints about the airline changing its policy from allowing people to pick a seat when they board the plane to pre-arranging and buying their seat.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9hqz4z0020357xhxvb8yhs@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Southwest formally ditched its\xa0<a href="https://nypost.com/2026/01/21/lifestyle/end-of-southwests-open-seating-is-this-a-bad-sign-for-budget-travel/">open seating policy\xa0</a>on Jan. 27 after 54 years.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9htpyb0028357xf1d5832y@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'And one user was so disgruntled with a recent flying experience on Southwest that <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SouthwestAirlines/comments/1raqcvl/now_its_extortion/">her post on Reddit is titled &quot;Now it\'s Extortion.&quot;</a>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9hu2bq002g357xz16uhdow@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;Bought a Basic Fare non-stop ticket for my daughter. Check her in EXACTLY 24 HRS before departure. It says there are no seats, she's on standby and may have to take a later flight ( that would be next day),&quot; a woman named Sweaty Crab wrote on Reddit.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9hwezz002o357xp27lua2m@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;So I check the &quot;upgrade seat&quot; option and, sure enough, there are literally dozens of empty seats FOR SALE on her flight. And even worse, according to the seating chart, there were well over a dozen seats in light blue in the back of the plane that it wouldn't assign her.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9hxp9e002y357xuqmgrwsy@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Dozens of others piled on with the same issue, claiming the airline doesn\'t reserve a seat for basic fare passengers <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SouthwestAirlines/comments/1raqcvl/now_its_extortion/">until they actually pay the upcharge for a place to sit.</a> Some wondered if the attorney general would get involved.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9hyrxh003h357xu2esut75@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Among frequently cited issues, tickets appear to be 'standby' until you pay for an upgraded seat, plus parents and children who could formerly sit together naturally by boarding as a group now risk separation because seats are automatically assigned without grouping parties together. After what it termed a &quot;bumpy rollout&quot; of the new seating plan, the Austin Statesman reported Southwest is refining its policies.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9i1rje003p357x2xv8cs3y@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“Since launch, we’ve been closely monitoring input and real-world behaviors to validate our assumptions and identify where we can refine the experience,&quot; Southwest said in a statement. &quot;Those insights are now informing a series of early adjustments designed to smooth operations and reduce friction as Customers and Employees adapt to the new boarding and seating process.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9i6lhh003x357xwrwofrro@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'As part of the new adaptations, logic will be improved in the ticketing system to better group travelers together, larger overhead bins that can hold up to 50% more bags\xa0<a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/southwest-announces-new-changes-in-email-to-a-list-members-3713206/">will be installed across most of the fleet by the end of 2026</a>, and signage will be added to designate bin space above extra-legroom seats.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmm9ifo1c0045357xb8fnj2t3@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Will that satisfy customers? 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