This Airline Is Finally Ending Its Open Seating Policy

While the vast majority of airlines assign seats ahead of departure, for decades, one airline has bucked the trend: Southwest. The Dallas-based airline is famous (or infamous, depending on whom you ask) for its open-seating policy, in which customers are assigned a boarding number based on their time of check-in and can choose any available seat when they walk on the plane. But after more than 50 years, the airline is done holding out. Find out when Southwest will finally make the switch to assigned seats — and what other big changes are in store at America’s fourth-largest airline.

When Will Southwest Start Assigning Seats?

Southwest Airlines has long been known for doing things differently. When the airline launched flights in 1971, the carrier earned a reputation for offering low fares, frequent flights, and no-frills service. 

To keep costs low, Southwest operated only Boeing 737s and scheduled them to have quick turnaround times. While other airlines could have planes sitting at the gate for up to an hour between flights, Southwest became famous for allotting as little as 10 to 20 minutes between flights. Open seating aided in those quick turnarounds, as it was generally faster to board an airplane when people could choose any open seat. 

Since Southwest did things differently from other airlines, it was a reason to choose the carrier and have the flexibility to simply sit down in any available seat. On the contrary, there are some travelers who prefer the certainty of knowing where they’ll be sitting — and not having to set an alarm to check in exactly 24 hours before departure to secure a good boarding position — who might have booked away from the airline.

Times have changed, however. With profits lagging behind those of competitors, Southwest recently announced it was taking steps to boost profitability. For many travelers, the biggest headline is that flights with assigned seats will be available for purchase as of July 29, 2025, with the first flights to feature assigned seating taking off on January 27, 2026. Fans of the open-seating policy have a few more months to take advantage of it before it goes away for good.

New Boarding Process and Seating Options

Assigned seating isn’t the only change to Southwest’s business model. The airline is refitting its Boeing 737s to introduce an extra-legroom section at the front of the cabin and near exit rows, which will feature — for an extra fee — up to 5 extra inches of legroom along with dedicated overhead bin space and upgraded snacks and beverages .

Travelers will also be able to pay extra for a “preferred” seat on Southwest. Though these don’t feature extra legroom, they are located near the front of the cabin, so customers will be able to deplane sooner. To make space for the new extra-legroom seats, Southwest will be reducing legroom for standard seats, which make up the rest of the plane.

Once assigned seating rolls out in January 2026, Southwest will also introduce a new boarding process. Gone are the lettered boarding groups and assigned boarding numbers; in their place will be eight numbered boarding groups, similar to on other airlines. Among the first groups to board will be those who purchased an extra-legroom seat or an upgraded fare bundle, along with elite members and holders of a Southwest credit card. 

Also New: Baggage No Longer Flies Free

After American introduced checked baggage fees in 2008 and other airlines quickly followed, Southwest once again bucked the trend by continuing to offer two free checked bags to all passengers. Unfortunately, that generous policy ended for reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025. Now, checked bag fees will apply to most customers, except those who hold elite status or a co-branded credit card. 

Along with baggage fees, Southwest also introduced basic economy fares for the first time. Like on other airlines, passengers holding a basic-economy ticket will have their seat assigned at check-in (unless they pay an extra fee) and board the aircraft last. These tickets also earn fewer frequent-flyer points and have restrictions on changes and cancellations. 

Clearly, change is in the air at Southwest, and it remains to be seen how it all shakes out with customers. At least for the time being, the announcements have certainly stirred some controversy in online forums and with industry experts, with Skift proclaiming that Southwest is “now just like every other airline.”   

Featured image credit: Courtesy of Southwest Airlines