Southwest Airlines Sets Date for Assigned Seating, Releases Details on Fare Bundles
Dropping open seating is the biggest change in Southwest’s 60 year history.
Photo: Robin Guess / Shutterstock.com
Travelers will have until January 2026 to experience the remnants of the old Southwest Airlines.
Southwest announced Monday it will begin assigned seating for all flights starting Jan. 27, 2026. From that date forward, all flyers will select their seats at the time of booking. As part of the announcement, Southwest unveiled more details about how the process will work. While commonplace throughout the industry, this marks a first for Southwest in its nearly 60-year history.
Southwest will offer fare bundles that provide access to three different seat types: Extra Legroom (five additional inches of legroom), Preferred (a standard seat in the front of the plane), and Standard. The highest fare type will also grant customers two free bags, a perk Southwest had once provided to all guests.
Here’s a breakdown of those bundles, from lowest to highest tier:
- Basic: Standard seats assigned at boarding, last boarding group; priority boarding and checked bags cost extra.
- Choice: Standard seats selected at booking, general boarding group; checked bags cost extra.
- Choice Preferred: Preferred seats or the choice of any standard seat, early general boarding; checked bags cost extra.
- Choice Extra: The top bundle, includes an Extra Legroom seat or the choice of any other seat onboard, early boarding, and two free checked bags.
Southwest’s Tier Members and Credit Cardmembers will also board earlier in the process. Cardmembers, along with A-List and A-List Preferred members, will also be able to select a seat at booking or within 48 hours of departure, regardless of which fare they purchase.
