On a recent Southwest flight from Las Vegas to San Jose, so many passengers requested wheelchair pre-boarding that the plane took off late—only for most of those passengers to walk off the aircraft upon arrival, no wheelchair necessary.
Frequent fliers call them “Jetway Jesuses” — apparently disabled passengers who take advantage of the perks of boarding via wheelchair, only to miraculously recover in the air and deplane with full use of their legs.
Travel industry outlets have repeatedly called out what has become a common practice—part of a growing trend that is drawing increased scrutiny from airline analysts, truly disabled travelers and even law enforcement.
Now, some regular Southwest fliers are wondering if this surge in last-minute wheelchair requests is one of the reasons the airline is changing its signature open-seating policy.
Newsweek reached out to Southwest for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The Context
For years, Southwest maintained an open policy where passengers could take any available seat upon boarding. That meant those who were first in line to board would have the best options available to them. The way to board early? Be a frequent flier, buy a higher-tier ticket — or use a wheelchair.
Then last summer, Southwest stunned the travel industry by announcing it would move away from that well-known practice of not assigning seats—the biggest change in the company’s 53-year history.
The Dallas-based airline made the announcement in July 2024, following a tough year in which profits fell more than 46 percent compared to 2023. Southwest said the move was intended to “elevate the Customer experience, improve financial performance, and drive Shareholder value.”
What to Know
Under federal law, airlines are not permitted to require medical proof of disability or inquire into the nature of a passenger’s condition. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and subsequent aviation-specific guidelines are designed to ensure accessibility for all. But that openness, critics argue, has made the system vulnerable to exploitation.
Reports of wheelchair pre-boarding followed by miraculous recoveries at arrival gates have become frequent enough to gain their own nickname in the industry. “We used to call them ‘Miracle Flights,’” said a former Southwest flight attendant quoted in a Simple Flying article. “The worst were flights from LaGuardia to Palm Beach—40 wheelchairs on, nearly all of them walked off.”
Typical @SouthwestAir flight to Florida! I counted 30 pre-boards needing wheelchair assistance. When we get off the plane 28 of them walk off! @FAANews @FlyTPA @FoxNews @cnnbrk @MarkWilsonTV pic.twitter.com/YHprcho55Z
— Brian Hudson (@BocaHudson) December 29, 2024
The consequences are not just logistical, say industry insiders—they’re ethical and financial. Passengers with genuine mobility limitations often find themselves waiting behind those using wheelchairs for convenience. In View from the Wing, travel pundit Gary Leff put it bluntly: “They don’t all need a wheelchair. They’ve just cracked the code.”
Beyond perceptions of unfairness, the policy also affects scheduling. Wheelchair pre-boarding can add at least several extra minutes to the already tight boarding process—delays that cascade across an airline’s daily operations. “A 10-minute delay can affect passengers with connections and delay downline flights operated by the same aircraft or with the same crew,” Leff noted.
Hey @SouthwestAir it is absurd that people have to pay extra to board as early birds so we can feel safe in your boarding process and then see 25 individuals in wheelchairs, boarding first for free and running and walking once we land. Stupidity or miracles? pic.twitter.com/kVtszJlezr
— Rubén Ortiz (@rubennortiz) December 12, 2020
The shift to assigned seating won’t affect Southwest’s legal obligation to accommodate passengers with disabilities. The airline will still offer wheelchair boarding and assistance. What changes is the outcome: those who pre-board will go directly to their assigned seats—not to the prime spots near the front of the plane.
“This is going to eliminate a lot of the nonsense,” Leff wrote. “Seat savers, the wheelchair scams, and the last-minute disputes over row space—it all goes away.”
Among other changes, Southwest has updated its checked bag policy. For the first time, passengers with a standard ticket will no longer get two free checked bags. Instead, the airline will begin charging fees for checked luggage.
What Happens Next
Southwest plans to eliminate its open seating model and shift to assigned seating starting next year. In a press release, the airline said it would begin selling tickets with seat assignments in late 2025.
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