Southwest Airlines Shifts to Assigned Seating

Airline's longstanding open-seating policy comes to an end as new boarding process is introduced.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:39am

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Southwest Airlines has announced the end of its longstanding open-seating policy, moving to an assigned seating system starting on Tuesday. Passengers will now be able to select their preferred seats ahead of time or be assigned a seat during check-in. The airline is also introducing a new group-based boarding process that prioritizes seat location, fare type, and elite status.

Why it matters

This marks a significant shift for Southwest, which has long been known for its unique open-seating policy. The change is intended to give passengers more options and control over their travel experience, including the ability to purchase extra legroom seats. However, it also means the end of the airline's iconic first-come, first-served boarding process that many passengers have grown accustomed to over the years.

The details

Under the new policy, passengers who don't select a seat ahead of time will be assigned one during check-in. The new boarding groups, numbered 1-8, will prioritize passengers based on seat location, fare type, and elite status. Rapid Rewards credit card holders will be able to select seats within 48 hours of departure, regardless of fare. Passengers can also pay for priority boarding when available.

  • Southwest announced the policy changes in 2024.
  • The new assigned seating and boarding process takes effect on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

The players

Southwest Airlines

A major U.S. airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas, known for its unique open-seating policy and low-cost fares.

Tony Roach

Southwest's Executive Vice President of Customer & Brand, who stated the changes are intended to give passengers more choice and control over their travel experience.

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What they’re saying

“Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience. 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. This is an important step in our evolution, and we're excited to pair these enhancements with our legendary Customer Service.”

— Tony Roach, Southwest's Executive Vice President Customer & Brand (Previous statement)

What’s next

Southwest has stated that the new assigned seating and boarding process is an important step in the airline's evolution, so it's likely that the company will continue to monitor customer feedback and potentially make further adjustments to the system in the future.

The takeaway

Southwest's shift to assigned seating represents a significant departure from the airline's longstanding open-seating policy, which has been a hallmark of the Southwest travel experience for decades. While the changes are intended to give passengers more control and options, it remains to be seen how well the new system will be received by the airline's loyal customer base.