Southwest Airlines has announced that its open seating policy will come to an end with the introduction of assigned seats on January 27, 2026. The airline said customers can start booking flights with assigned seats for 2026 starting on July 29.
The new policy allows passengers to choose from different fare bundles and seat options, including those offering more legroom. Southwest’s executive vice president stated that assigned seating unlocks opportunities for customers to select Extra Legroom seats and removes uncertainty about where they will sit in the cabin.
Under the new system, travelers will be grouped by their seat location, with priority given to those who choose extra-legroom seats or loyalty program members. Passengers can also pay for priority boarding if they want to move up in the queue. The airline is overhauling its boarding process to deliver a smooth and efficient customer experience on every flight.
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Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southwest-assigned-seating-boarding-july-2025