- Southwest Airlines announced its new reserved seating policy will begin on Jan. 27, 2026.
- The airline will also debut a new group boarding process by zones.
- Travelers can get a premium seat assignment and advance boarding for free through acquiring the Southwest-branded credit card, or earning frequent flyer loyalty status.
Southwest Airlines will debut its new assigned seating policy in January 2026, bringing an end to the airline’s once signature process of open seating.
The airline’s new boarding procedure will go into effect for flights scheduled on and after Jan. 27, 2026, according to Southwest, during which passengers will board through group zones and sit in assigned seats. While the process won’t fully roll out until next year, travelers will be able to start booking tickets and reserving seats for after the January launch starting July 29.
“Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our Customers, including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats, and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin,” Tony Roach, the executive vice president for customer and brand at Southwest, said in a statement. “This is an important step in our evolution, and we’re excited to pair these enhancements with our legendary Customer Service.”
When travelers are able to choose their seat will vary depending on the type of fare they book and if they are members of Southwest’s loyalty programs. Rapid Rewards Credit Card members, for example, will be able to select a seat at booking or within 48 hours of their scheduled departure (depending on which card they hold), while A-List and A-List Preferred customers will be able to select their seat at booking, all regardless of the type of fare they purchase. In addition, passengers will also have the option of purchasing a seat upgrade.
Southwest said the seating policy change will offer customers more options and control over their travel experience. The new boarding process will include several groups. Top-tier loyalty members and those with premium seats will board first, while passengers traveling on a “basic” fare will board last.
The new policy has been the talk of the travel industry since as early as April 2024 when speculation started to spread as executives, including CEO Bob Jordan, made comments about the future of the airline. This is also not the first major change for Southwest this year. In May, the airline ended another long-enjoyed (and often tested) perk: its 54-year-old policy of offering free checked bags. However, travelers who are members of Southwest’s loyalty program—as well as credit card holders—can still enjoy free bags when they fly.
That same month, Southwest overhauled its fare classes, introducing new options of “Choice Extra,” “Choice Preferred,” “Choice,” and “Basic.”
