Southwest Airlines Drops Open Seating: Key Details Revealed

Southwest Airlines Ends Open Seating Policy

Southwest Airlines is making a significant change to its boarding process, ending its long-standing open seating policy. This shift will take effect on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as announced by the airline in a news release on Monday, July 21. Starting Tuesday, July 29, customers will be able to choose their seats when booking flights online.

This move represents a major transformation for Southwest, which has historically been known for its A-B-C group system, where passengers line up based on their boarding group and seat selection is done at the gate. The new assigned seating model aims to provide more flexibility and control for travelers.

“Our customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience,” said Tony Roach, executive vice president of customer and brand. “Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our customers — including the ability to select extra legroom seats — and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin. This is an important step in our evolution, and we're excited to pair these enhancements with our legendary customer service.”

Enhancing the Travel Experience

Southwest is working to compete with other major airlines like American, Delta, and United, particularly for premium travelers. Recently, the airline eliminated its "Bags Fly Free" policy for most fares and introduced basic economy tickets. The new seating system will be rolled out alongside a revised boarding process that organizes passengers into groups based on seat type.

Passengers who select Extra Legroom seats will board first, followed by those in Preferred and Standard seats. This change is designed to streamline the boarding process while offering more options for travelers.

In addition to the new seating and boarding structure, Southwest is reconfiguring its Boeing planes to include more spacious seating. According to CNBC, approximately 200 aircraft (about 25% of the airline's fleet) have already been upgraded.

Priority Access and Seat Selection

Premium fare customers, Rapid Rewards credit cardholders, and A-List status members will have early access to seat selection, even on basic fares. Cardmembers can choose their seats when booking or within 48 hours of departure, depending on their card.

While Southwest hasn’t disclosed specific pricing for seat selection, other airlines typically charge varying fees based on route and demand. Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard seat types will be available, along with upgrade options during booking. Travelers can also purchase Priority Boarding within 24 hours of departure.

For families concerned about sitting together, there are still options available. Southwest has assured that families will have the opportunity to choose their seats through existing products, regardless of how they purchased their tickets.

Expanding to New Destinations

Southwest also revealed plans to launch its first flights to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2026. This marks the airline’s first new destination since 2021, with two additional locations expected to be announced soon.

CEO Bob Jordan has hinted at potential European expansion if Southwest acquires long-range aircraft. These developments signal a broader strategy to enhance the customer experience while maintaining the airline’s reputation for friendly service and innovation.

As Southwest transitions to assigned seating, the focus remains on providing more choices and improving efficiency for all travelers. With these changes, the airline is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of its customers in a competitive market.