Southwest Airlines has officially set dates for its major conversion to designated seats and outlines how its new boarding process works.
The Dallas-based airline announced on Monday that the airline’s long-term open seating policy will officially end on January 27, 2026. Passengers booked on all flights starting that day will receive specific seating tasks.
Customers booking flights 2026 will start to notice earlier changes: Starting next week, on July 29, passengers booked flights on January 27 (or later) next year and will have the option to choose a seat.
This will include the carrier’s first ever option for additional leg seats, which will also make its official debut in January.
“It provides new opportunities for our customers, including the ability to choose additional leg seats and eliminates the uncertainty of not knowing they won’t be sitting in the cabin. This is an important step in our evolution,” Southwest client Tony Roach said in a statement Monday.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest changes in Southwest Airlines and what it means to book an airline in the coming weeks and months.
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When will the Southwest start allocating seats?
Southwest Airlines’ allocated seats will be officially launched on flights departing on January 27, 2026. Technically, additional leg seats will also debut on the same day (although some Southwest planes have quietly been equipped with new hyperspace rows).
Southwest will offer seating options starting July 29 – though remember that customers who choose the airline’s new basic economic fare will not be eligible for the option of free seating.
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Who can choose free seats in the Southwest?
As part of Southwest, moving away from a half-century open seating policy, the airline is revamping its fare options with a new name and new seat benefits.
remind:
- Wanting to escape has become “basic” and it is indeed no Includes free seat options, similar to the basic economic options of other airlines.
- Want to escape will be a “choice” and will include a standard seating option
- It will become the “first choice” at any time, and passengers will have the option of a normal seat close to the front of the plane.
- Business selection will become the “extra option” and offers the option to choose free extra leg seats.
A-list, special benefits for credit card holders
Travelers with quick reward elite identities and certain Southwest credit cards will receive more favorable seat selection offers.
Waiting for availability:
- A-List members will be allowed to select the booked preferred seat and additional leg seat within 48 hours of departure.
- When booking, A-List preferred members will be allowed to select any seat, including additional legroom.
- Even if they fly at basic economic fares, all Southwest credit card holders will choose their seats within 48 hours of departure.
- If any, customers with certain credit cards will be allowed to upgrade to additional leg seats within 48 hours of departure. All cardholders will be allowed to select a certain seat within 48 hours of departure.
New boarding process details
As part of Monday’s announcement, the airline also revealed details of its reimagined boarding process. Gone are the days when a single file will be placed on the plane, as TPG reported this spring.
The new Nine-group process looks more like boarding used by other operators.
Groups 1 and 2 will be reserved for A-List preferred members, as well as passengers who book a high price to choose extra fares or upgrade to extra leg seats.
Choice’s preferred traveler, A-List members are not allowed to super seat, and Southwest credit card holders will board no later than Group 5.
Groups 6 to 8 will include passengers flying at the select or base fare, with the basic economic passengers finally boarding the plane.
Bottom line
Southwest Airlines first announced the distribution and additional leg seats about a year ago in July 2024. It believes that most customers prefer seat allocations over the carrier’s 50-year open seating policy.
Combined with the airline’s charges for carrying out checked baggage in late May, this is a period of significant changes in the airline.
Southwest executives said the changes will drive more revenue and cater to customers’ growing preferences.
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