Southwest Just Rolled Out Its Most Controversial Policy Change—What to Know

OMG! My best friend is going on a trip! I am so excited for you! Before you pack your bags and head to the airport, we have to talk about something huge. You know how much we both love flying Southwest because it’s so easy and the people are so nice? Well, they just dropped a massive bomb on all of us. They are changing their seating policy, and it is the biggest change they have ever made in like fifty years! I read all about it and I wanted to make sure you know exactly what is happening before you book your next flight to somewhere awesome like Las Vegas.

The Big Change: No More Open Seating!

Can you believe it? For forever, Southwest let us just pick any seat we wanted. You would get your boarding group—like A, B, or C—and then you would just run onto the plane and grab the first window seat you saw. It was kind of like a race! Some people loved it, and some people hated it because they were scared of getting stuck in a middle seat in the very back of the plane. Well, those days are ending. Southwest is moving to assigned seating. This means when you buy your ticket, you will pick a specific seat number, just like you do on other airlines. No more stressing about being the first one in line! They are also adding “premium” seats. These are seats with extra room for your legs. If you are tall like my cousin, you are going to love this. But, you will have to pay more money for them. I think it will probably cost about $50 extra to get that extra space, but for a long flight, it might be worth it so your knees don’t hurt!

Let’s Plan Your Vegas Trip!

Since you’re flying Southwest, let’s talk about going to Las Vegas. It is one of the best places ever! There is so much to see and do, and the lights are so bright. You are going to have the best time! Here is exactly what you should do so you don’t miss the cool stuff.

Where to Eat (The Best Stuff Only!)

Okay, first things first. You are going to be hungry. You have to go to Tacos El Gordo. It is right on the main street (The Strip). When you walk in, there are different lines for different meats. Go to the line that says “Adobada.” It is spicy pork that they cook on a big spinning thing. It looks so cool! Order three tacos. They are about $4 each. So, for about $12, you get the best lunch ever. Make sure you get the creamy green sauce on top. It is a little spicy but it tastes amazing!

If you want to feel like a fancy star, go to Hell’s Kitchen. It’s the place by Gordon Ramsay from TV. You have to order the Beef Wellington. It is a steak wrapped in super soft bread. It costs about $70, so it is a “balling out” meal, but it is so good you will want to cry. Also, get the sticky toffee pudding for dessert. It is like a warm, sweet hug for your mouth. That costs about $15.

The Best Spots for Your Photos

You need to get some great photos for your social media! First, go to the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. It is a classic! Here is a secret: don’t just stand in the huge line in the middle. If you stand way off to the side, you can get a “side view” photo for free without waiting for an hour. If you do wait in line, there is usually a guy there who will take your photo for you. You should give him a $5 tip. He knows all the best angles!

Next, you have to go to the Seven Magic Mountains. It is about 20 minutes away from the city in the desert. It is just a bunch of giant rocks painted in super bright colors like neon pink, yellow, and orange. It looks so cool against the brown dirt. Stand right next to the bright yellow rock and wear a white shirt. The colors will pop so much! Budget about $25 for an Uber ride to get out there and back.

Also, go to the Bellagio Fountains at night. It is totally free! Stand right in the middle of the sidewalk near the lake. When the music starts, the water shoots way up into the sky. It is super loud and very pretty. It happens every 15 minutes at night, so you don’t have to wait long.

Budget vs. Balling Out: What Will it Cost?

I made this table for you so you can see how much money to bring. Las Vegas can be cheap if you are careful, or it can be super expensive if you want to go crazy!

A Few More Tips for the Plane

Since Southwest is changing things, make sure you download their app before you go. You will need it to see your seat number! Even though they are changing the seats, they still give you free snacks. I love the pretzels, but sometimes they have brownie brittle which is so good. Also, remember that you still get two free checked bags! That is the best part about Southwest. You can pack all your cute outfits and not worry about paying extra for your suitcase. I usually pack one big suitcase for my clothes and a small bag for my shoes. It saves so much money!

When you get to the airport, try to get there two hours early. The lines at the security part can be really long, especially in Vegas. If you have extra time, you can play the slot machines right in the airport! Just be careful, because they don’t pay out as much as the ones in the big hotels. I usually just put $5 in and see what happens. It’s just for fun!

I am so excited for you to go on this trip. Even with the big seating changes, flying is still the best. You get to sit back, look out the window at the clouds, and dream about all the fun stuff you’re going to do. The clouds look like big piles of cotton candy when you are way up high. It’s so cool!

Have the most amazing time ever! Take a million pictures and send them to me. I want to see everything you eat and everywhere you go. If you want more tips on how to travel for cheap and see the world, you have to join our group! We talk about all the best deals there. Go check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/CheaptravelVIP.FL

Love ya, bestie! Have a safe flight!