Southwest Airlines has announced a major shift from its long-standing open seat policy to assigned seating, set to begin on January 27, 2026. Passengers booking flights after this date will receive specific seat assignments, with the option to select seats starting July 29, 2025. This includes new “premium” extra-legroom seats.
The new assigned seating process aims to enhance passenger experience by eliminating uncertainties about seating. Customers booking the new basic economy fare won’t have free seat selection, while A-list members and certain credit card holders will receive priority seat selection benefits.
The boarding process will also change to an eight-group system, improving efficiency and aligning with practices used by other airlines. Southwest intends these updates to increase revenue and meet evolving customer preferences, building on a trend of significant operational changes that started with the introduction of baggage fees in May.
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