Southwest Airlines will adopt assigned seating soon. Here’s what to know
Attention frequent flyers: Southwest Airlines announced July 21 that it will be moving to assigned seating starting Jan. 27, 2026.
Assigned seating reservations are set to go on sale starting Tuesday, July 29. Southwest Airlines has transformed over the past year, aligning its services with those offered by other airlines. Some services include bundle fares, checked bag fees, future premium seats for customers and more. Extra legroom seats are also set to debut on Jan. 27 as well.
Previously, the airline had a first-come, first-seated model, which allowed passengers to sit in any open seat once they boarded the aircraft.
Those who have previously flown with the airline can remember the familiar scramble for seats, along with the A-B-C boarding groups, lines and the need to set alarms for prime boarding positions. Now, those will be eliminated.
The new system will feature eight boarding groups, determined by seat selection, loyalty status, and other criteria. Passengers with the highest loyalty and spending will board first, with boarding position ultimately dictated by seat location, according to Southwest’s website.
The new boarding order is as follows:
Groups 1 and 2:
Choice Extra ticket holders.
Passengers in extra legroom seats (regardless of ticket bundle).
Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members (board no later than Group 2).
The Choice Extra bundle includes extra legroom, preferred seating, and two complimentary checked bags.
Groups 3-5:
Choice Preferred ticket holders.
This bundle offers access to standard seats closer to the front and earlier boarding, but no free checked bags.
Rapid Rewards A-List members (board no later than Group 5).
Southwest Airlines credit cardholders board with Group 5 if not qualified for an earlier group.
Groups 6-8:
Choice ticket holders: standard seat selected at booking, no complimentary checked bags.
Basic ticket holders: seat assigned at check-in, no free checked bags.
Choice and Basic ticketholders may occasionally board earlier on some flights.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM.