Technically, Southwest Airlines hasn’t started seats for another four months. But from now on, if you are flying on an airline to Hawaii, you will have a new seat for the flight.
And, since the airline has not terminated its open seating policy, this means that major boarding seats may be awarded one of your spacious seats at no additional cost.
As of this week, the Dallas-based operator has installed hyperspace lines on all its Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets – the same aircraft used on flights to and from Aloha. This is a milestone driven by Southwest to enable all its aircraft to officially launch allocated seats by late January 2026 and start charging additional fees for those more spacious rows and reconfigure all of its aircraft by late January 2026.
So, think of it as a “soft launch” in the last few months of first seating.
Nearly half of the Southwest planes now have extra legroom
Not only Southwest Airlines flights in Hawaii, it also has new seats for hours. As of September 8, the airline has transformed 380 aircraft with new seating settings, accounting for about 47% of its fleet.
As part of the cabin remodel, crews also installed seat-in-seat power outlets and larger overhead boxes on all of Southwest Airlines’ largest aircraft, which flew longer routes.
Related: Southwest’s “variable” exchange takes effect
The now-modified Southwest Airlines’ largest 8 (and Boeing 737-800) aircraft have five rows of external rankings at the front of the plane, as well as three rows of overhead seats near the elevated seats.
We should note that these are just regular coach seats with more legroom. So for now, when you board a plane with these spacious rows, you may have to carefully observe which seat you choose.
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Southwest recently started installing special headrest metrics to make its super outdoor seats stand out. (At present, you will only notice about a quarter of people on planes with new seat settings.
This is once the aircraft is equipped with a new configuration, the maximum 8 and 737-800 seat maps will look like.
Refurbishment of each aircraft
Southwest began refitting the plane this spring after announcing its transfer to assigned oblique room seats in 2024.
The airline has already started selling flights with assigned seats, which officially begins on January 27, 2026. At that time, customers who purchase the airline’s newly named Choice Extra Extra fare will have access to extra legroom.
Top Quick Rewards A-List Preferred Members will be able to select one of the seats for free within 48 hours of flight departure. Travellers carrying Southwest RapidRewards® Priority Credit Card (See rates and fees) Southwest® RapidRewards® Performance Business Credit Card (See Rates and Fees) Be able to do the same thing.
Read more: Southwest unveiled large credit card refresh: 50% off hiking, but new seating and boarding allowance
The best way to get Southwest Airlines outer seats in 2025
Between now and January (Southwest still has open seats), one of your best racing outside seats is ensuring early boarding.
The airline sells upgraded boarding with optional add-ons within 24 hours of departure. This ensures the A1-15 boarding position – there will be a loose seat when flying.
Read more: Starting in January
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Southwest Airlines still has to complete the renovation of its Boeing 737-800 fleet with new configurations. A spokesman told TPG that the airline is now expected to update its 737-700 in December.
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