Now you can officially book Southwest Airlines flights with designated seats.
The airline has just begun selling flights to depart on (and after) January 27, 2026, that it plans to say goodbye to seats and welcome its long-standing allocation and French outdoor seating settings.
There is certainly something strange for those of us who have flew the Southwest on countless occasions in the past, to pull up the operator’s website and see the seat map when booking a trip.
But as of this week, this is reality.
These 2026 flights with allotted seats will also mark the beginning of use with the fare types sold by Southwest Airlines over the years. “To escape” has become a thing of the past and has been replaced by the carrier’s new basic economic fare. However, the airline is now also phased out the “Wanna Escape Plus”, “Anytime” and “Business Choice”.
Instead, the four fare products in the Southwest will include:
| Fare Products | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Basic | Unless you have a Southwest Credit Card or A-list status, lower fast rewards, no |
| choose | Standard seating options |
| Select priority | Select a “Preferred” seat (a regular seat close to the front of the plane) |
| Select Extra | Choose a seat for a long distance seat and enjoy two free check-in bags and priority boarding |
What it feels like to book a Southwest Airlines flight with seats
What is it like to book a Southwest flight with designated seats?
If you have already booked a flight, this will be a very familiar process, almost any other airline – but I’ll briefly cover some unique elements of your browsing Southwest’s allocated seating process.
Here is an example: One way from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. to Fort Lauderdale-Halllywood International Airport (FLL).
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As you can see, the ticketing options on the Southwest website now reflect the airline’s new fare course.
Basic and Choice
For this trip, the basic fare is $118. This is $30 less than Southwest’s choice ticket, and now it’s the standard, comprehensive, non-basic economy ticket version of Southwest Airlines that you’ll see on another airline.
If you are booking a basic ticket, you won’t be able to miss the strictest restrictions, which will appear when you pull up the seat map: There is no free seating option, similar to the basic economic policies of other airlines.
However, I will point out: During this flight, you are still able An additional $60 fee is available to choose a long seat.
By comparison, you’ll pay $140 for all the top picks for Southwest Airlines, which includes long seats, two free shipping bags and some other perks.
Select priority
If you are booking your preferred fare, the seat map will open up some seats close to the front of the plane. These will be regular seats with standard legroom, but you won’t be trapped in the rear of the plane.
Select Extra
Then, once you have selected the extra bundle for the high-priced option, you can choose any seat, including one with extra legroom.
Reward reservation
Here is an example of the Southwest Quick Reward Redemption if you are booking another trip in February – this time from Phoenix Skyport International Airport (PHX) to Daniel Enoye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu.
- Basic: 28,000 points (9% down from Choice, the new standard fare category in Southwest)
- Selection: 30,500 points
- Selection priority: 36,000 points (18% increase over the selection)
- Select Extra: 43,000 (41% increase over the selection)
Bottom line
Reminder that each Southwest credit card will provide you with free check bags and fly up to eight companions on the same reservation.
Each card will at least bring you Some Select a seat – In some cases, within 48 hours of departure. The airline’s two high-priced cards come with free access to the outside room, closer to takeoff.
A-List and A-List preferred members can also get luggage, boarding and seating benefits in the new settings.
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