While Southwest tries to spread the love through discount fares, a veteran American Airlines flight attendant said a seat in first class is the way to go for romance because it provides a good setting to meet in a place where typically busy people can comfortably sit in a row.
"It is easier to strike up a conversation in first class than coach, and there are enough distractions to tune the other person out if things don't go well," she said.
Southwest has had an open seating policy since it took to the skies over 30 years ago when its flight attendants wore hot pants and the carrier flew a handful of planes over Texas. The policy was used by the airline as a way to speed up the boarding process and to save money.
Now Southwest is one of the largest domestic carriers in the US and many business travellers have asked the airline to give out assigned seats. Southwest officials have said they like open seating and they want to keep it.
"It is not a bad idea to look for someone on a Southwest flight, and make sure you board after them so that you can sit next to them," said Beth Zefo, the woman who found a husband thanks to an empty seat.
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