Of course, Southwest Airlines is not planning to “hard start” the seats for a duration until January 2026. But the soft launch is in progress.
Executives share that about a quarter of Southwest aircraft are now configured with new super rows.
This means that if you fly with the carrier, you have about a quarter of a chance to enter a new line of jets with more legroom. And, since open seating is not over yet, you don’t have to pay for one of these seats (technically speaking).
Why provide seats with lengths as early as possible
Southwest will officially start selling seats for long-distance seats on July 29, when allocated seats will be broadcast live on its booking channel. Starting from January 27, 2026, this will apply for flights about six months later.
However, in preparation, the Dallas-based airline began renovating its fleet of approximately 800 Boeing 737 in early May and set up cabins with new, more premium lines.
Apparently, the Southwest will not only have to wait until January to stop the aircraft from use. Therefore, once the crew completes a cabin reconfiguration, the aircraft resumes service.
COO Andrew Watterson said that as of Thursday, about 200 aircraft were flying with new long-distance aircraft.
Score for the Southwest-duty seats
How do you know if you will use it in a newly updated jet when booking a flight?
For now, the short answer is: You won’t.
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Airlines (Southwest, especially, have a full 737 fleet) often exchange aircraft for specific flights, so it is difficult for airlines to predict several months in advance what jets it will use on specific flights from Nashville to Orlando.
Upgraded boarding becomes even more tempting
However, the southwest have Once the plane they are confirmed, it starts to get passengers to pay attention to the pseudo-premium seats – some hope they can buy their upgraded boarding pass options, which guarantees passengers priority boarding positions and serve for the first time in their (current) early cracks (as for now).
“We have begun notifying customers who will be taking extra leg seats to notify those modified aircraft and invite them to take advantage of our existing upgraded boarding products,” Watson told analysts Thursday.
Knowledge about upgraded boarding
Optional additional customers can purchase the Southwest upgraded boarding board and guarantee the A15 boarding position under the airline’s unique single file boarding process.
Customers who are not satisfied with the boarding position can purchase upgraded boarding within 24 hours of departure. Prices start at $30, but may be higher on a specific flight.
I bought it in February when I was not happy with the red-eye flights I received from Harry Reed International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) from Harry Reed International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, which was a boarding location that I was not satisfied with.
I did this through a mobile app. You can also purchase this add-on using Southwest Airlines’ website, or click on the link sent to you by the airline and if you receive notification your flight will have a long seat.
Upgraded and eliminated
However, the upgrade to the Southwest is not long. It will disappear in January when the airline launches seats and moves to the more traditional eight-group boarding process.
But what about now?
This may be when you’re the first premium product for January as an airline in January, before these rows are technically launched, you can get tickets in premium outdoor seats.
Credit card PERK reminder
Also worth noting: existing customers and Southwest RapidRewards® Priority Credit Card (See rates and fees) or Southwest® RapidRewards® Performance Business Credit Card (See Rates and Fees) Get four upgraded boarding passes as cards each year.
While the card refresh (just announced on Thursday) will spell the end of the privilege, people boarding the upgrade will still be available from now until the end of the year.
Bottom line
As airlines look to start at the beginning of next year, your chances of getting Southwest outdoor seats in 2025 will continue to grow in 2025.
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