HOUSTON – Last year, Southwest Airlines announced its plans to eventually drop its open-boarding policy, used for more than 50 years, and start assigning seats.
Well, the time is near.
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On Monday, Southwest Airlines announced that assigned seating will become active on Jan. 27, 2026, ending a 50-year tradition.
Customers will have the option to choose between extra legroom seats located at the front of the cabin and emergency exits, preferred seating located in the middle of the cabin and standard seating, which is located in the back of the cabin.
The airline said it conducted studies, tests, and customer surveys to assess seating preferences and found that traveler preferences have evolved, with the vast majority now wanting to know their seat assignment before arriving at the airport.
Various fare bundles will include options to select seats during booking, with the different seat types—Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard—offered within these bundles.
The introduction of assigned seating will also bring a new group-based boarding process.
Extra Legroom seats will receive boarding priority in Groups 1 and 2. Premium fare customers, loyalty program members, and credit cardholders will board earlier in the process.
Additional details can be found on the airline’s website.
Southwest is also changing up its bag policy. In March, the airline announced that all customers will no longer receive its generous two free bag policy; instead, the privilege will only be granted to its Rapid Rewards A-list preferred members and Business Select fare customers. A-list and Rapid Rewards credit card members will receive one free bag and all other customers will have to pay a fee for checked bags.