Dallas – After more than half a century of using an open-seating model, Southwest Airlines has announced the rollout plan for assigned seating—alongside a revamped boarding system aimed at balancing efficiency and customer choice.
📅 Timeline: Book and Board with Ease
- July 29, 2025 – Customers can start selecting seats during booking for travel beginning January 27, 2026, the date the new system officially takes effect .
- Seats will be available in three tiers: Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom, the latter offering up to five inches more legroom .
🧭 Why the Shift?
Southwest framed the changes as a response to evolving customer preferences. Surveys show that 80% of current Southwest customers and 86% of potential flyers favor assigned seating . CEO Tony Roach said the move “removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit” and empowers travelers with more control over their experience .
🪑 A New Boarding Structure
- The familiar A‑B‑C boarding system will be replaced by eight boarding groups determined by fare type, seat selection, loyalty status, and credit-card affiliations .
- Groups 1 and 2 will board first—comprising passengers in Extra Legroom seats, highest-tier fare holders, and elite loyalty members .
- Boarding numbers will remain alphanumeric, preserving Southwest’s recognizable gate process.
💺 Cabin and Fare Overhaul
- New cabin interiors, including slimline seats and extra-legroom rows, are being installed—about 25% of the Boeing 737 fleet is already retrofitted The Washington Post+4Fast Company+4Wikipedia+4.
- Passengers will choose from four fare bundles (Basic to Choice Extra), each offering varying seat access and boarding priority Fast Company+5Airport Industry-News+5MySA+5.
- This transformation is part of Southwest’s three-year “Even Better” plan, which also includes the introduction of checked-bag fees, premium cabin options, and expanded overnight flights Airport Industry-News+11MySA+11Southern Living+11.
💬 Reactions from Travelers
Long-time Southwest loyalists—especially from Reddit—have expressed disappointment:
“The big perk was being able to stand‑by or make a last‑minute flight change … Now I would be stuck in the middle. Since that perk is gone, so is my loyalty and business.” The SunReddit
Another added:
“Looks like another flip flop … A/B/C lineup boarding groups won’t be staying after all … there will be 9 different boarding groups similar to Delta and American.” Reddit
✅ What This Means for Travelers
- Travelers booking after July 29, 2025 for flights from January 27, 2026, will see assigned seats during booking and enjoy prioritized boarding.
- Frequent flyers and cardholders retain perks such as early boarding and free extra-legroom seating options Reddit+15Southwest Airlines+15Southern Living+15.
- Southwest aims to maintain boarding speed while introducing segmentation—a shift from a “democratic” open-seating past to a structured, fare-based system