awaiting seat assignment

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Why does Delta often assign Basic Economy passengers a seat the gate, instead of during check-in?

One of the answers to a related question mentioned that Delta often puts a lot of passengers on the "awaiting seat assignment" list because these are Basic Economy passengers who only get a seat at the gate. I've personally faced this issue at least 3 times while flying with Delta.

But why is this the case? How does assigning seats so late benefit Delta's operations?

• delta-air-lines

• Not an answer because I have no source or reference for this, but they might be keeping a few seats aside for families, people requiring special assistance, etc. It may be better to assign seats at the last minute rather than assign a seat and then change it. –  jcaron Commented Sep 23, 2019 at 20:00
• 1 @jcaron No, Delta doesn't do that. It's not certain seats that aren't assigned or that are blocked off. It's just whichever ones people haven't selected yet. Anyone who already has a confirmed seat assignment can change to any of them at will. It's mostly just so that frequent flyers making last-minute changes or bookings aren't as likely to get stuck in a middle seat in the back. A significant portion of the seats left at the end tend to be the 'preferred' ones that are reserved for Medallions. If some are left at boarding, the unassigned BE pax will be placed there. –  reirab Commented Sep 23, 2019 at 21:44

2 Answers 2

This happens when the flight is nearly full. Waiting to assign seats to people on Basic Economy fares allows frequent flyers booking last-minute fares and/or using Same-Day Confirmed or Same-Day Standby changes to the flight to get the better remaining seats, rather than being stuck in a middle seat in the back of the plane on a nearly-full flight.

On flights that are not near capacity, Basic Economy passengers will be able to choose any available normal economy seat when they check in (which they can do up to 24 hours in advance of the flight.)

Basically, Delta (like nearly all full-service airlines) wants to prioritize the experience of their high-revenue frequent flyers over that of infrequent leisure passengers on the cheapest fares. Also, the frequent business flyers are often operating on tighter schedules than the leisure passengers who are usually booking Basic Economy fares, so they try to do their best to keep seats closer to the front of the aircraft for those passengers.

I would say for operations it doesn't matter at all. The reason for Basic Economy fares was to offer the fare as cheap as possible, with additional fees for additional services. Seat reservation is one of those services. Many people booking BE probably don't care at all, but for those who care, the later they would get the seat assignment, the more likely it is they book a seat assignment for an additional fee (or specifically in Deltas case to book Main cabin instead of Basic Economy the next time).

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What does it mean to be on Delta standby list? - Air Travel Forum

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I am traveling to NYC tomorrow evening. I bought Delta Basic Economy, and I know that seats are assigned at the gate.

I haven't flown in yet in my adult life (only 24), so I don't know what any of this means. But give it to me straight — am I likely going to be bumped from this plane since I am on "standby"? What does all of this mean? I plan to get to the airport 3 hours early tomorrow, btw.

Instead of asking here, why not phone Delta and ask the representative?

I had the same experience in October flying BE with Delta. I got seat assignments at the gate, which is fine. I certainly didn't see anything when I booked indicating that "BE passengers are first to be bumped--" which would certainly inhibit people from booking that fare!

It means your seat will be assigned at the gate.

BE fares do not let you choose your own seat, they are assigned at the gate, after the higher fare class passengers have chosen or been assigned their seats. Usually middle seats, but ultimately depends on which seats are left.

Seating charts can be misleading, as they hold some seats in reserve for gate assignment or to handle seating issues. As these reserve seats aren't available for advance seat selection, the airlines simply display them as occupied.

Standby is the list you're on until you get your seat. Everyone on a BE fare is on the standby list until their seat is assigned. It does not mean you're going to be bumped. It means you're standing by for your seat assignment. Your seat will be assigned when you arrive at the gate.

Once you arrive at your gate, depending on the airport, there may be a screen that will list all standby passengers under "awaiting seat assignment" -- Same list as you see on the app.

The gate agent will systematically assign seats and when that occurs, it will update on the screen and app and passengers will get called up and given a new boarding pass. There is usually an announcement to that effect as well.

For future reference, purchase Main Cabin next time and do not purchase Basic Economy. Or read the small print before clicking purchase.

No time loading my first leg of my trip and just now realized it.

I’m traveling to Canada so I’m thinking that might have something to do with it.

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Watch CBS News

Here's why Southwest is assigning seats — and what it means for customers

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: July 25, 2024 / 5:04 PM EDT / CBS News

Southwest will start selling assigned seats , marking a major shakeup of a signature policy that has set the low-cost carrier apart from airlines for half a century. The new policy, announced Thursday, will make flying Southwest look and feel remarkably different for customers. 

The shift will affect how customers of the discount carrier select seats and board planes. Southwest passengers, including longtime fans of the open seating policy,   will also be able to choose different types of seats for a price, including those offering more legroom. These changes could affect ticket costs across the board, according to experts, although Southwest has not addressed pricing or indicated that regular seat costs will change. 

Some experts are cheering the move, saying it amounts to an improvement for both passengers and the airline. 

" Southwest's decision to start assigning seats and plan to add extra-legroom seats prove an old dog can learn new tricks," Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, told CBS News. "It will make their flights more orderly and comfortable. And it should also improve the airline's bottom line as well."

Southwest will begin selling tickets with assigned seats beginning in 2025. The airline will reveal additional details around changes to the flight boarding process in September. Here are three ways flying Southwest could change. 

Assigned seats

Southwest is ending its open seating policy, in which customers find a cabin seat on a first-come, first-serve basis. When the changes go into effect next year, customers will purchase tickets with assigned seating, eliminating some of the stress associated with the current boarding process. 

"It's a pretty big change for Southwest, which always had an open seating system, and you had to run into the cabin and try to find the seat you want," Clint Henderson, managing editor of The Points Guy, told CBS MoneyWatch. 

Henderson said this turned off some business travelers like himself from choosing to fly Southwest, and he predicted the change could attract a new crop of customers to the airline.

"Many business travelers don't want to fight for a seat and deal with the drama that sometimes entails," Henderson said. 

Tensions can run high on airplanes too, with testy passengers quibbling over limited and sometimes shared real estate.

"Since the pandemic, airline passengers may be less cordial and less amicable," said airline customer experience analyst Marbue Brown. "There are certainly benefits to environments where there is no ambiguity about who owns a seat."

Some seats will have more leg room

In addition to assigned seats, Southwest will introduce premium seating, offering passengers extended legroom on one-third of a cabin's seats. 

Southwest already lets customers pay to be first in line to board aircraft, "but this is a much bigger change now, with premium seats available for purchase," Going.com's Keyes said.  

The airline is likely responding to travelers' penchant for more premium travel experiences following the pandemic, according to Keyes. "The demand is for premium economy, business class and better seats, which Southwest doesn't have to offer," he said. 

Southwest's seats already offer more legroom than traditional carriers', which has been a selling point for the airline. They come with 32 inches of space, versus the industry standard of 30-31 inches. It's possible Southwest's new cabin configuration could shrink its current standard of 32 inches of space, some experts said.

"They haven't announced the new cabin design, but the most likely outcome is we're going to see that 32 inches of legroom to start to shrink for main cabin, and for it to be more like 31 or 30," Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com, told CBS MoneyWatch. "That's normal for people who are used to flying American or United, but cramped for people who fly Southwest." 

Price changes

The new cabin configurations could drive up ticket prices across the board because Southwest's aircraft might contain fewer number of total seats, industry analysts said. On the other hand, the dramatic policy changes could be price-neutral, depending on how Southwest redesigns its plane cabins. 

"Some folks will pay more for extra legroom, and, based on how you reconfigure planes, you might not have to raise prices on other seats," Brown said. 

What remains to be seen is whether Southwest will introduce a bare-bones, basic economy-type offering. 

Currently, all tickets come with free checked bags and free   changes. "But might they start to offer an economy package that includes more restrictions on baggage? That's something we'll have to wait and see," Keyes said. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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What to Do if You Don't Have a Seat Assignment for a Flight

When you buy a ticket for a flight, airlines often conveniently fail to spell out all the other fees you’ll be responsible for, like the price of a crappy boxed meal, spotty wifi, and often, an actual seat assignment.

While checking in online for her JetBlue flight, our managing editor, Virginia, was recently faced with the dilemma of whether she should pay $90 for a seat assignment just to guarantee herself a window seat; otherwise, she’d risk heading to the airport and relying on the whims of an airline attendant to grab a preferred seat.

“Is this scam new?!” she asked the Lifehacker staff. And judging by a few of our responses, it’s hardly a unique experience with airlines—I’ve also been in this uneasy position, faced with the option of buying an aisle seat to calm my fears of being saddled with a middle one or somehow being bumped from my flight altogether.

Why does this happen? Well, the obvious answer is that airlines likely understand this fear and use it to their advantage to make a little extra money off your ticket. (For more practical reasons, airlines may also block off sections of seats to make room for those with elite status, airline crew or those passengers with specific needs, like families and children so they aren’t separated.)

And truthfully, your options as a passenger are limited; yes, you could buy an upgrade and guarantee a particular seat for yourself. You might benefit from this, if, say, you want to be absolutely sure you’ll be sat in an aisle seat. Or if you just feel like having a little extra legroom and are able to pay a premium for it.

But if you’re willing to give up the absolute guarantee of an aisle or window seat, don’t give in. Why? Well, chances are you are not the only passenger in this situation. If you wait to receive an assignment, you might just receive an aisle or window anyway. (And if you are given a middle seat, you can then use this as an opportunity to buy an upgrade if you like.)

Depending on the airline, if you’ve just purchased a flight and don’t have a seat assignment, typically, you should wait until 24 hours before your flight when your check-in window opens (and blocked seats become available). Often, an airline will automatically assign you a seat at this time—which could very well mean a window or aisle seat—saving you from having to fork out a little extra cash on a premium seat.

If you don’t have a seat assignment after check-in begins, just wait until you arrive at the airport. I’ve had this exact situation happen on a JetBlue flight and received an aisle seat assignment at the airline counter. (A JetBlue customer support rep confirmed to me that you are guaranteed a seat on a flight, even if you don’t reserve one in advance.)

If you’re wondering whether you’ll score an aisle seat, consider your departure and arrival cities and when you’re departing; if you’re flying to or from a popular travel destination, the odds that you’re stuck with a middle seat might be higher. If your travel dates fall along weekdays, you might have better luck than traveling on heavy travel days like on Sundays.

And if you have specific needs, try contacting your airline by phone to inform them that you require special accomodations; depending on your exact needs, they may try to find you the best available seat. (I had food poisoning right before a 14-hour flight from Tokyo; I contacted the airline to inform them, and while they could not assign me a seat at that time, I very conveniently ended up with an aisle seat next to a restroom—which may have just been due to pure luck.)

And always, always download your airline’s app . You might be able to snag a better seat using the app, without having to wait in a long line at the gate.

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The Guide to Alaska Airlines Seat Selection

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

These days, seating options on flights — and the related fees — can get confusing quickly. While Alaska Airlines offers its share of seating options, the airline makes it easy for flyers to view open seats before booking and select the seats they want while booking.

Here’s what you need to know about selecting a seat on Alaska Airlines, including which seats you can book and when you may need to pay extra for specific seats.

How Alaska seat selection works

The Alaska Airlines seat selection process is similar to other large U.S.-based airlines, like United and Delta, where you can view open seats before booking, then select your seat at booking or after paying for your flight.

The exact seat you may select on Alaska Airlines depends on several factors, including the fare class and whether you have elite status with Alaska or Oneworld alliance .

» Learn more: Is an Alaska Airlines credit card worth it?

Alaska seat selection fees

Seat selection fees vary based on the fare class purchased, your desired seat and class of service and whether you have elite status with Alaska or Oneworld alliance. Here are a few things to keep in mind when booking your flight:

Saver class . If you book a Saver class fare, seats are assigned at check-in. If you’d like to pick a specific seat, even as an Alaska or Oneworld elite, you’ll need to pay extra.

Non-elite flyers . If you don’t have status with Alaska or Oneworld and you book fares other than Saver class, you’ll have the option to select seats in the main cabin for free — or pay extra for preferred or premium seats, such as an exit row or in Alaska’s premium class .

Elite flyers . If you’re an Alaska or Oneworld elite member flying on a non-Saver fare, you’ll have the option to book any open seat in the main cabin free of charge, including seats in preferred rows that are available only to Alaska and Oneworld elites. As an elite status holder, you’ll also have the chance to be upgraded to premium class or first class for free if space is available. However, if you book a main class fare and want to be confirmed in a premium class or first class seat right away, you’ll need to pay extra for the upgrade.

If you need to pay for a seat, the cost will vary based on flight and route.

» Learn more: The guide to Alaska MVP Gold

Ticket types and seat selection rules

Alaska’s Saver fare — the airline’s version of basic economy — is the only ticket type that comes with restrictions on choosing seats. With Saver fares, even if you’re an elite member, the only way to book a seat in advance is to pay for one.

With all other ticket types, including main cabin, premium class and first class , you can select a seat at booking for free.

» Learn more: How to get cheap Alaska Airlines flights

Alaska seats for elite members

In addition to providing opportunities for upgrades, Alaska reserves certain rows for Alaska and Oneworld elite members.

For the flight below, booked by a non-elite member, you’ll see that rows 10 through 15 aren’t available and are labeled as “Alaska and Oneworld elites,” meaning non-elite members can't book them.

Not only do elite members have access to preferred seating, but both Alaska and American Airlines’ elite members can also have their seats upgraded to first or premium class.

Depending on the fare class you’ve booked, these upgrades will either be confirmed at booking or, if seats are available, at a specified time before departure.

» Learn more: The guide to Alaska 100K, its top elite tier status

Alaska plane seating chart

You don’t need to purchase a ticket before seeing the seating chart for an Alaska flight, which can be especially helpful if you prefer a certain type of seat, such as an exit row, a seat toward the front of the plane or a window seat.

To see the Alaska plane seating chart, visit Alaska’s website and input your flight search parameters. Below is an example from the results page for a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle:

Clicking the “Preview seats” link will show the current seating chart. The seats in gray are occupied, while all other colors indicate an available seat.

You’ll also be able to view seats during the booking process. You may even be given an opportunity to upgrade your seat to premium or first class. In the Los Angeles to Seattle example, the offer to upgrade to first class costs $65, while a premium class upgrade starts at $39.

» Learn more: What is Alaska Airlines elite status worth?

How to pick seats on Alaska

You can see which Alaska seats are still available before booking, but if you want to confirm a specific seat you’ll need to select it during the booking process or after buying your ticket.

During booking

We recommend selecting your seat during booking. The longer you wait to select a seat, the fewer options will be available since others are also booking tickets and choosing their seats.

During the booking process, after inputting your personal details, a seating chart will pop up that shows which seats are available. The chart will also display the price for any seating upgrades you might wish to purchase.

In our example flight to Seattle, premium class seats start at $39 and exit row seats will run you $35. Otherwise, a main cabin seat is free to select.

To select your seat, click or tap an unoccupied seat and choose “Save and purchase.” Note that you must click or tap “Save and purchase” even if your seat selection is free.

After booking

If you decided not to pick a seat during booking or you’d like to change your seat after making a reservation, you’ll want to navigate to your reservation on the Alaska website or in the airline’s app.

On the app, after finding your reservation, select the “Seats” icon to pick or change a seat for your flight.

» Learn more: Guide to Alaska Airlines baggage and other fees

Alaska Airlines seat selection recapped

Alaska Airlines has a straightforward process for viewing and picking seats and, unless you’ve booked a Saver fare, you can select a main cabin seat for free.

Whenever possible, we recommend selecting your seat at booking, as you’ll likely have more options than if you wait. If you fly Alaska Airlines often, it may be worth trying to get elite status so you have complimentary access to preferred seats and upgrades.

(Top photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)

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When will Southwest start assigning seats? What to know after airline announces big change

Southwest airlines has been known for its unique "open boarding" model for more than 50 years., published july 25, 2024 • updated on july 25, 2024 at 4:12 pm.

One of the most famous features of Southwest Airlines is about to change.

In an announcement Thursday, the company said it will "redesign the boarding model" by eliminating open seating and instead move forward with assigned seats and premium seating options. The airline also plans to add overnight redeye flight routes, the announcement said.

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"After listening carefully to customers and conducting extensive research, Southwest decided it will assign seats and offer premium seating options on all flights," the announcement said. "The airline has been known for its unique open seating model for more than 50 years, but preferences have evolved with more customers taking longer flights where a seat assignment is preferred."

Officials began studying customer preferences and expectations around the onboarding process in April, the announcement said, with the new changes designed to "elevate the customer experience, improve financial performance, and drive Shareholder value."

The airline said it will release more details about the plan, including a timeline, during an investor meeting in September.

Following the announcement, here's what we know right now.

Why is Southwest making this change?

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The decision was based on customer preference, the airline said.

"The research is clear and indicates that 80% of Southwest Customers, and 86% of potential Customers, prefer an assigned seat," the announcement said.

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The announcement went on to say that customers who stopped flying Southwest and instead chose to fly with a competitor citied open seating as the top reason for the change.

"By moving to an assigned seating model, Southwest expects to broaden its appeal and attract more flying from its current and future customers," the announcement added.

The company also said the changes were part of "modernization efforts" part of already implemented improvements, including faster Wi-Fi, in-seat power chargers and larger overhead bins.

Will any Southwest flights have open seating?

According to the announcement, Southwest Airlines will move forward with assigning seats "on all flights."

The airline will also begin offering "premium extended legroom" in some parts of the cabin, the announcement said, though cabin layout details were still in design.

Officials in the announcement said a "refreshed" cabin design was underway, with "new, more comfortable RECARO seats ."

When will Southwest start assigning seats?

More details about the changes regarding product designs, cabin layout, timing and more will be announced in late September, the airline said, adding that the move to assigned seating will be "significant."

"In addition to incorporating new technologies and procedures for a seamless transition, the new cabin layout will require approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration," the airline said.

According to the announcement, Southwest expects to make bookings available on the new layouts in 2025.

When will Southwest start flying redeyes?

Booking on initial routes for overnight flights begins Thursday, the announcement said, with the first overnight flight set to land on Valentine's Day of 2025 in five markets: Las Vegas to Baltimore and Orlando; Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville; and Phoenix to Baltimore.

The plan is to phase in additional overnight flights in the coming schedule's officials said.

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About awaiting assignment status of manuscript

I submitted a short paper to a math journal more that one month ago. The status is still "awaiting assignment" and I checked the online system which shows that even no editor has been assigned to my paper. I sent two emails about updating the status of the paper to editor and Editor-in-Chief several days ago and I got no reply from them. What can I do now? May I withdraw that?

• paper-submission

You can certainly withdraw the paper. But note that this is a busy time for academics, some of whom are the editors and certainly the reviewers. It might be good to wait, especially if the journal is somewhere that you really want to publish.

The one month is more problematic than the few days without email, I think. But that might be explained if your paper is a bit esoteric in any way and it may be unclear which editor to assign the paper to.

But withdrawal is a possibility. I'd recommend it only if you have an alternate plan that is better than patience.

• "I'd recommend it only if you have an alternate plan that is better than patience" I agree. This also implies that you should not wait for too long. As soon as you are really fed up with waiting for an update in the online system or an e-mail, withdrawal is something to consider. And maybe you know someone who submitted to the journal before and can tell if you are within the normal timeframe. –  Snijderfrey Commented Dec 20, 2019 at 9:57

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WestJet and AMFA Labour Disruption 2024

We are pleased to share that the agreement reached on June 30, 2024, between WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union representing our Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Technical Operations employees has been ratified. 

Across WestJet, we remain dedicated to returning our operations to normal, as we maintain our focus on safely and affordably connecting our guests to the people and places that matter most to them.   

Flight disruption

July 26, 2024 

We apologize for any inconvenience you experienced during the recent labour disruption. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to resume normal operations. If you were affected by a disruption, please review the FAQ  on this page and follow the directions to submit your request. Please avoid submitting multiple requests so our team can review requests as quickly as possible. 

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Newsroom Updates

• WestJet and AMFA agreement ratified
• Service update: WestJet works to restore full operations following labour disruption
• WestJet confirms end to AMFA strike
• WestJet issues additional cancellations amid third day of AMFA strike
• AMFA’s ongoing strike forces WestJet to issue 235 additional flight cancellations causing mass disruption to travel over the Canada Day weekend
• AMFA strike continues, triggering further cancellations, disrupting over 49,000 travellers over July long weekend
• AMFA strike forces WestJet to cancel more than 150 flights beginning on Saturday
• WestJet outraged AMFA is commencing strike despite Minister’s order for arbitration and public commitment to abide by it
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• Fast Facts on WestJet-AMFA unprecedented labour situation
• WestJet initiates flight cancellations in preparation for threat of strike by Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Tech Ops employees
• WestJet receives second strike notice from AMFA within hours of returning to the bargaining table targeting busiest travel weekend of summer
• AMFA Update #1
• WestJet and AMFA mutually agree to return to the bargaining table, preventing further network cancellations
• The WestJet Group begins flight cancellations in anticipation of WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Tech Ops employees' strike -
• The WestJet Group provides a labour update on AMFA

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How to Get the Best Seat in Coach, According to Experts

Your seat selection strategy matters when you're flying in the economy cabin.

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You can argue window or aisle all day long, but the real key to surviving a flight in economy is picking the best seat for you. And unfortunately, that's sometimes easier said than done. In some cases, you might have to pay extra for a seat selection. In others, you might find only middle seats are left. To make matters more complicated, some airlines don't assign seats at all. So, if you're booking an economy ticket and you want to score the best seat possible, here are the tips you need to know.

Know the seat selection policy of your airline.

These days, most airlines charge extra for seat selection . If you don't pay for a seat, one will likely be assigned to you during the check-in process. But there are a few outliers that don't charge for seat selection, including Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian. So, if picking a seat for free is important to you, choose one of these carriers.

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Book early.

The earlier you book a flight, the more likely the plane will be empty, giving you a vast selection of seats. Of course, you might have to pay for those seats, but at least the choice will be there. If you can't book early, look into booking off-peak flights (meaning off-peak times of the year or even off-peak days of the week, like a Tuesday or Wednesday). Those will likely have more seats open than peak options.

Research your aircraft's layout.

"Different planes have different layouts and seat configurations , so it's important to research the type of plane you'll be on to determine the best seat options," App in the Air CEO Greg Kott tells Travel + Leisure . Most airlines have seating charts online, or you can try a third-party site like AeroLopa to see the layout and view which rows are bulkhead or near the bathrooms. "You may want to avoid sitting too close to the bathrooms to avoid the noise that comes with lines and potential odors," Kott adds.

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Keep checking for availability.

If your ideal seat isn't available at the time of booking, keep checking back regularly. People cancel flights all the time, which means a better seat can open up at any moment. If you don't want to continually check the seating charts, consider paying for a third-party service like ExpertFlyer , which can send you notifications about seat availability.

Check in as early as possible.

If your seat is going to be assigned at check-in, be sure to check in as early as possible. Usually, once you've been auto-assigned a seat, you can then change it to any available one in the cabin. If you check in right when the window opens, there may be some other options elsewhere in the cabin.

Achieve frequent flier status.

This may be easier said than done, but if you achieve airline frequent flier status , you'll likely be able to pick seats for free. The higher tiers of elite status can even get you free upgrades or economy seats with extra leg room, pending availability. Be sure to research your airline's specific policies, though, since each carrier has its own perks for status.

Sometimes, the only option to ensure you'll get the absolute best seat in economy is to pay extra for it. For long-haul red-eye flights , it might be worth it to avoid a cramped middle seat near the lavatories.

Ask at the check-in desk — or even at the gate.

"If you weren't able to secure your desired seat at the time of booking, try asking for a seat change at check-in," says Kott. "There may be better seats available that weren't open when you booked your flight." If you don't have luck at check-in, you have one more shot — ask your gate agent if there are any other seats available (say, a window or aisle seat if you're stuck in the middle). You never know if someone changed their flight at the last minute or missed a connection.

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Kelly isn't picked, but being on VP short list signals his rise to prominence

Vice President Kamala Harris tapped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate Tuesday, ending a whirlwind vetting process that brought Arizona’s Sen. Mark Kelly into national prominence.

Harris’ campaign touted Walz as “a battle-tested leader who has an incredible track record of getting things done” in a text message she sent her Democratic supporters announcing her decision.

Kelly, D-Ariz., reiterated his support for the revamped ticket in a tweet without acknowledging he was under consideration to be part of it.

Harris and Walz “are going to move us forward. They’re already building a campaign to unite our country — and @GabbyGiffords and I are ready to do everything we can to help them win,” he said, referring to his wife.

Over six weeks that upended American politics, Kelly went from a senator with an unusually prominent biography to the emergency short list of vice presidential candidates in an election Democrats often cast as a struggle for democracy itself.

While Kelly won’t be running for vice president, his sudden rise as a top-tier contender means Arizona’s political landscape could still shift.

Kelly’s Senate term doesn’t expire until after the 2028 election. But if Harris defeats former President Donald Trump, he could be in line for a top administration post.

Kelly brought to the the vice presidential sweepstakes an unrivaled biography as a former Navy combat pilot and astronaut . His blunt criticism of border security under the Biden administration was seen as a way for Democrats to seek a reset on an issue where the public typically favors Republicans.

For now, Kelly is back to the role he was playing long before President Joe Biden exited the race. Kelly was a vocal supporter of the Biden-Harris ticket, and he now is become a prominent advocate for Harris and Walz .

VP contenders offered different tones and focus

As Harris became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after Biden abandoned his reelection plans, Kelly became a fixture in a constantly shifting cast of vice presidential possibilities.

Walz rose in the final days of a compressed vetting period, with folksy appearances on TV that underscored an ability to relate Democratic policies, especially to those in the “blue wall” states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Walz seemed to be an unlikely contender even a week ago, in part because Minnesota is viewed as a safely Democratic state. By contrast, Kelly and Shapiro come from swing states, with Pennsylvania seen as a must-win for Harris.

Kelly and Shapiro seemed to take very different approaches to selling themselves.

Shapiro prominently ridiculed Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, who accused Shapiro of mimicking former President Barack Obama’s speaking style.

“JD Vance is a total phony baloney,” Shapiro said with characteristic bluntness. “He is the most inorganic candidate I think I have ever seen on the national stage. He doesn’t know what he believes and that is why it is impossible for him to articulate a coherent message to the American people because he doesn’t believe it.”

Kelly leveled his own attacks on Vance, but they rested less on insults and were tied more to policy. After Vance’s 2021 comments likening Democrats to “childless cat ladies” resurfaced, Kelly said:

“It’s utterly ridiculous and obnoxious and wrong. What I really worry about is what he would do being one heartbeat away from the presidency.” Kelly then turned it into a question of Vance’s judgment on abortion rights.

Each man also faced personal questions about their pasts.

Shapiro, who is Jewish, faced new scrutiny over an essay he wrote while in college in 1995 that said, “Palestinians will not peacefully coexist” with Israel.  

Kelly, too, faced questions over the end of his first marriage in 2004. He was pressed over a restraining order from his then-wife, who has backed Kelly’s latest potential candidacy.

In the span of about a month, Kelly vaulted from a prominent, but relatively new, senator to someone faring better in at least one poll against former President Donald Trump than Biden.

Recent Arizona contenders for the White House

Kelly’s brush with a White House ticket was the first for an Arizonan since the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., was the GOP presidential nominee in 2008. McCain also ran in 2000.

Former Vice President Dan Quayle, who has lived for years in retirement in Arizona, made a short-lived presidential run in 2000 as well.

Before that, former Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat, ran for president in 1988. Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., was the Republican nominee in 1964.

How Kelly's visibility grew as a national political figure

Though Kelly is out of the running for VP, his future still could take a turn if Harris wins the White House.

He supported Biden’s bid for a second term even after the June 27 debate with Trump that startled the nation. Looking frail and confused, Biden’s performance sparked immediate calls for him to exit the race.

The next day, Kelly campaigned in Las Vegas with Harris still urging support for the Biden-Harris ticket.

On July 17, Kelly was among four Democrats who fared better than Biden against Trump in a poll from a Democratic-aligned group. The poll clearly was intended to convince Biden to quit the race, but it also raised Kelly’s profile as a possibility in a reshaped Democratic ticket.

That night, Kelly appeared on MSNBC attacking Vance. He twice backed the Biden-Harris team in that interview. He did so again in a social media post two days later.

On July 21, Biden relented and announced on social media that he would not seek reelection. He threw his support behind Harris, and, within a day, she had effectively secured the party’s nomination.

Kelly immediately became a VP possibility.

His resume checked all the boxes for VP consideration

In some ways, Kelly’s rise shouldn’t be surprising.

His biography has always stood out from most political contenders in any race. But the particular needs for Harris and her party at this moment also winnowed the field.

After concerns over Biden’s age, it meant that the party needed someone significantly younger. When Harris, who is Black and female, became the front runner, many presumed she needed to pick a white male as her VP.

Over the past century, Democrats have named a senator as the vice presidential nominee 20 of 25 times. The last time Democrats named a governor as a running mate was 100 years ago.

Extra value is usually given to candidates who come from swing states, bring special appeal on a key issue, or strike a bigger contrast with the Republicans.

Kelly was part of a small group that seemed to check all the boxes.

If Harris wins, will Kelly stay in the Senate?

Though he didn’t make the ticket, Kelly still could opt to work in a Harris administration — if there is one.

His background in the Navy and as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, for example, could make Kelly a contender for a military post, perhaps even secretary of defense.

His future prospects could have major implications for Arizona in the U.S. Senate.

Arizona’s current U.S. Senate race between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake is the fifth straight election cycle for one of the state’s two seats.

Voters typically don't vote in a Senate race every two years becasue senators are elected to six-year terms.

But McCain’s 2018 death required the 2020 special election that put Kelly in the Senate in the first place. If Kelly leaves office in the next year, the state would have at least eight different U.S. senators since 2018.

It would also mean another special election for the Senate in 2026. That would mean Arizona would have a U.S. Senate election eight straight cycles spanning from 2016 through 2030.

In the past half-century, seven other states have had five straight Senate elections. None has had more than that.

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Tim Walz did not come across as a rising star nearly 19 years ago

Walz talked about the need for authentic leadership and authentic experience, which looks like a big reason why Vice President Kamala Harris invited him to be her running mate. She didn’t need him to win Minnesota, and there’s no guarantee he will boost her chances of winning in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but his resume, record and style help balance the ticket topped by a “California liberal” in the words of Republicans and potentially in the minds of some independent voters. 

It’s interesting that the Walz choice is being hailed by progressives when one of the main sections of his campaign literature from 2006 was “Winnable Swing District — Walz is the right moderate candidate to win.” In this race, Democrats must hope that Walz can appeal to voters on different points of the political spectrum with different pieces of his profile. 

While Walz performed well in media interviews, and became popular with Democrats outside of Minnesota for tagging the “weird” label to Republicans, we’ll see how the governor performs under even more scrutiny. A couple competitive House races and even two statewide runs are nothing compared to a presidential race.

[ How selection of Gov. Tim Walz as Harris’ running mate is playing ]

Republicans will certainly highlight the state of the Twin Cities in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd and potentially some of his progressive policies. But if Walz can handle those attacks and deliver some of his own in his affable way, the governor could be an asset to the ticket. 

In the end, Walz feels like a relatively safe choice for Harris. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly’s biography as a Navy captain, former astronaut and husband to former Rep. Gabby Giffords had the potential for broader national appeal. But the vice president’s comfortability with Walz as a running mate and potential governing partner are hard to quantify from the outside. 

For Walz, timing continues to be a key ingredient to his political success. From high school teacher to Congress in a dozen years and now from a relatively obscure governor to a national figure in just a couple of weeks, it’s been quite a ride. And while he may have had difficulty getting elected on a presidential ticket under normal circumstances, he gets to run with Harris against an aging and unpopular former president who has been convicted on 34 felony counts. 

In politics, timing is almost everything.

Nathan L. Gonzales is an elections analyst with CQ Roll Call.