{"id":11453,"date":"2026-01-27T16:17:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:17:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/southwest-launches-assigned-seats-revamped-boarding-process\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T16:17:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:17:03","slug":"southwest-launches-assigned-seats-revamped-boarding-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/southwest-launches-assigned-seats-revamped-boarding-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest launches assigned seats, revamped boarding process"},"content":{"rendered":"


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For loyal Southwest Airlines flyers, it’s the first day of the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n

Tuesday kicks off a new era for the Dallas-based carrier: It’s the day the airline officially bids farewell to its famous first-come, first-served seating policy and one-of\u2013a-kind boarding process.<\/p>\n

From this day forward, Southwest will have assigned seats on every flight \u2014 no more boarding and then hunting around for the best open seat.<\/p>\n

And passengers will no longer line up along numbered posts at the gate to board. Instead, they’ll be called up in groups, just as with nearly every other U.S. airline.<\/p>\n

We’ve been talking about these changes for a good 18 months now, which come as part of a larger transformation at Southwest \u2014 one that last year saw the end of its long-standing “bags fly free” policy and a refresh of its Rapid Rewards credit card lineup.<\/p>\n

Oh, and did we mention extra-legroom seats? After last year’s “soft launch,” those extra-spacious rows will now be available on every Southwest flight.<\/p>\n

All told, it’s a major shift for the airline \u2014 welcomed by some customers, bemoaned by others.<\/p>\n

My take: I just tried Southwest’s new extra-legroom seats. Are they worth it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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SEAN CUDAHY\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here’s what to know about the changes going live this week on Southwest planes, and what flying with the airline will be like in the future.<\/p>\n

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From open seating to assigned seats<\/h2>\n

First things first: Southwest on Tuesday went live with its long-planned switch from open seating to assigned seats.<\/p>\n

It’s a seismic shift for the airline, which for half a century let passengers choose their seats after boarding its planes.<\/p>\n

But in 2024, Southwest executives announced the airline would ditch its longtime policy, one that was practically synonymous with the airline \u2014 but one that it claimed a majority of customers were ready to see end.<\/p>\n

So, going forward, when you book a flight on Southwest, you’ll be able to select your seat, too \u2014 although some travelers may run into new add-on fees, depending on the fare they book.<\/p>\n

Southwest seat selection by fare<\/h3>\n

Here’s how seat selection policies will work for each of the airline’s revamped fares it sells:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Fare product<\/b><\/th>\nSeat selection allowed<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
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Seats assigned at check-in<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Standard seat selection<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Standard seat selection, including “preferred” seats closer to the front of the plane<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Extra-legroom seat selection<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

As noted, passengers who select Southwest’s cheapest Basic fare \u2014 “Wanna Get Away” tickets ended last year \u2014 will not be able to pick their seat for free.<\/p>\n

That’s a policy largely in line with other airlines’ basic economy fares.<\/p>\n

How do you avoid seat fees on Southwest?<\/h2>\n

However, there are ways to avoid seat fees, even if you’re flying Basic.<\/p>\n

Rapid Rewards status<\/h3>\n

Customers who have Rapid Rewards elite status will be entitled to complimentary seat selection, no matter the fare product. And they’ll get access to extra-legroom seat “upgrades,” too.<\/p>\n