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After eliminating free checked bags, much to the dismay of many frequent flyers, Southwest Airlines has now officially ditched open seating. Long known for doing things a little differently, Southwest is going more traditional with assigned seats and a group-based boarding process.
Tuesday marked the airline’s full transition to the new processes. It’s a shift years in the making and one that moves Southwest closer to the policies used by nearly every other major U.S. carrier.
A symbolic changeover took place over the last 24 hours. On Monday night, Southwest operated its final open-seating flight, a redeye from Honolulu to Los Angeles, complete with a gate celebration and a traditional flight blessing. Early Tuesday, two flights departed simultaneously from different time zones—one from San Juan to Orlando, the other from Manchester, New Hampshire to Chicago Midway—becoming the first Southwest flights with assigned seats.
From here on out, passengers will no longer scan the cabin for ideal seats: they’ll already know where they’re sitting. For many, it's a welcome change that eliminates "seat-savers," but others mourn the loss of flexibility.
So, how does it work now? Seat selection depends on the fare you buy. Southwest’s new lineup replaces the old Wanna Get Away fares with a Basic option that works much like basic economy on other airlines. Basic passengers get a seat assigned at check-in and can’t choose one for free unless they have elite status or certain loyalty perks.
Higher fares unlock more control. Choice fares allow standard seat selection. Choice Preferred adds access to seats closer to the front of the plane. Choice Extra includes extra-legroom seats, which are now available on every aircraft in the fleet.
Loyalty status eases the restrictions for frequent flyers. Rapid Rewards elite members can select seats for free regardless of fare. A-List members can move into extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure if they’re available. A-List Preferred members can grab those seats right at booking. Credit card holders get seat selection benefits as well. Sounds complicated? Find all the details here.
The boarding process is also changing. Southwest now uses eight boarding groups. Passengers are called in order, starting with A-List Preferred members and travelers seated in extra-legroom seats, who board no later than Group 2. A-List members and certain credit card holders follow, boarding no later than Group 5. Basic fare passengers board last. One benefit to this new boarding process is that you'll no longer need set an alarm for exactly 24 hours before departure to check in and secure a better boarding spot.
The seating and boarding overhaul comes amid a broader reset for the Dallas-based carrier. Southwest has introduced checked bag fees, rolled out extra-legroom seating, expanded international partnerships and begun offering free Wi-Fi for loyalty members. It’s also adjusted how points are earned and redeemed, with dynamic award pricing and reduced points accrual on Basic fares.
Southwest says these changes reflect what most customers want today. Whether longtime fans agree remains to be seen.