Southwest Airlines Makes Changes To Boarding, Seating

By Sam StevensonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

Southwest Airlines, long known for its unique open seating policy and "Bags Fly Free" tradition, is enacting sweeping changes to its customer experience and operations. Here’s everything you need to know.

Why It Matters

These changes to boarding procedures and loyalty benefits mark the end of an era for Southwest and will impact millions of American travelers, especially during peak holiday travel periods.

Newsweek contacted Southwest Airlines via email for comment.

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What To Know

After holding out longer than any other major U.S. airline, Southwest will discontinue its open seating system on all flights departing January 27, 2026, and beyond.

The Texas-based carrier will shift to assigned seating, offer priority boarding where available, and overhaul fare bundles, according to a press release.

Southwest has already moved away from complimentary checked bags—an industry hallmark for decades.

It is now rolling out a new boarding system that replaces the traditional A/B/C groups with eight boarding groups based on seat location, fare type, and loyalty status.

Gate areas will feature digital screens and streamlined lanes, eliminating numbered stanchions (silver columns).

Customers can purchase priority boarding 24 hours before departure, and families will be grouped.

The changes aim to improve efficiency, accessibility, and overall customer experience.

Key Changes

Assigned Seating: Passengers can now choose from Standard, Preferred (near the front), and Extra Legroom seats. Premium seats offer additional space, early access to overhead bins, and complimentary snacks and beverages.

Fare Bundles: The carrier will offer four fare levels—Basic (formerly Wanna Get Away), Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra (formerly Business Select). Higher fare levels permit earlier boarding, seat selection at booking, refundability, and flexible same-day changes.

Baggage Fees: Southwest ended "Bags Fly Free" in May 2025. The first checked bag now costs $35, and the second $45, unless traveling on the highest fare tier or as an A-List Preferred member. Bookings made before May 27, 2025, remain eligible for two free checked bags—unless itinerary changes occur, in which case fees apply.

Boarding and Loyalty: With assigned seating, Southwest moves to an eight-group boarding process. Premium and loyalty passengers—such as A-List Preferred—board first. Family boarding practices are updated to assign parties to the same group and make efforts to seat children under 13 with an adult.

Wheelchair Boarding: The switch lessens incentives for early wheelchair preboarding, addressing longstanding misuse concerns while retaining legally mandated accommodations.

Other Changes: Credits for canceled flights now expire: up to 12 months for higher fares, 6 months for Basic fares. Red-eye flights and vacation packages via the Getaways by Southwest platform launched in 2025.

What People Are Saying

Tony Roach, Executive Vice President Customer & Brand, at Southwest Airlines, said: "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."

What Happens Next

Passengers are encouraged to review fare bundles and loyalty status benefits closely, as perks and fees vary significantly.

Southwest’s transition aligns its product more closely with industry norms, though executives emphasize their intent to preserve the spirit of customer service for which the airline is known.

Policy details—including full terms and regulatory notices—are available on the official Southwest Airlines website.

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