Southwest Airlines Drops Open Seating: Key Details Inside

Southwest Airlines Ends Open Seating Policy

Southwest Airlines is making a significant change to its boarding process, ending its long-standing open seating policy. The airline announced that this shift will take effect on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Starting from Tuesday, July 29, customers will be able to choose their seats when booking flights online. This marks a major transformation for the airline, which has been known for its unique A-B-C group system where passengers line up based on their boarding order.

The decision comes as part of an effort to provide more flexibility and control for travelers. Tony Roach, executive vice president of customer and brand at Southwest, stated, "Our customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience." He added that assigned seating opens up new opportunities, such as the ability to select extra legroom seats, while also removing the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin.

This move is part of a broader strategy by Southwest to compete with other major airlines like American, Delta, and United. Recently, the airline ended its "Bags Fly Free" policy for most fares and introduced basic economy tickets. These changes reflect a shift in focus toward offering more premium options for travelers.

Alongside the new seating policy, Southwest is also implementing a revised boarding process. Travelers will be sorted into groups based on seat type. Those who choose Extra Legroom seats will board with the first two groups, followed by those in Preferred and Standard seats. This approach aims to streamline the boarding process while still prioritizing certain customers.

Enhancements to Aircraft and Customer Experience

Southwest is also upgrading its fleet to offer more spacious seating. According to reports, approximately 200 aircraft (about 25% of the airline’s fleet) have already been modified to include more comfortable seating arrangements. This reconfiguration is part of the airline's ongoing efforts to enhance the passenger experience.

Stephanie Shafer Modi, managing director of fares and ancillary products, explained that the new boarding structure was designed to balance efficiency with customer care. “We wanted to make sure that, as we designed a boarding construct that sort of paired well with assigned seating, that we were optimizing for efficiency, but also the second priority: balancing that with making sure that we're taking care of our most loyal customers,” she said.

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 a seat when booking or within 48 hours of departure, depending on their card. However, Southwest has not yet disclosed how much it will charge for seat selection. On other airlines, seat selection fees vary based on route and demand.

Options for Families and Additional Services

Families concerned about sitting together will still have options. Shafer Modi emphasized that families can use existing products to secure seats. “We will try to do our best to make sure that families are seated together no matter how they buy a ticket,” she said.

In addition to seat selection, travelers can purchase Priority Boarding within 24 hours of departure. Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard seat types will be available, along with upgrades that can be purchased during booking.

Expansion Plans and Future Goals

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

CEO Bob Jordan has also hinted at potential European expansion if Southwest acquires long-range aircraft. This could mark a significant step forward for the airline as it continues to evolve and meet the changing needs of its customers.