Southwest Airlines has announced a significant change in its boarding policy, effective January 2026. For the first time in over 50 years, passengers will be able to sit in designated seats upon booking.
Under the new system, customers can choose from standard seats, preferred seats with extra legroom, or upgraded options for added comfort. In addition, Priority Boarding is now available 24 hours prior to departure, allowing passengers to secure an earlier boarding group.
The airline has also introduced fare bundles that include seat selection, seating upgrades, and baggage options. While tickets are currently on sale with assigned seating for January flights, all remaining 2025 flights will continue with the traditional “open seating” policy until the new system is implemented.
Source: https://www.al.com/news/2025/08/major-change-coming-to-southwest-airlines-after-50-years.html