Southwest soft launches extra-legroom seats on all Hawaii flights, nearly half of its planes
Southwest Airlines technically doesn't launch assigned seating for another four months. But starting now, if you’re flying with the airline to Hawaii, you’ll be on a plane that already has its new extra-legroom seats.
And since the airline hasn’t ended its open seating policy just yet, that means a prime boarding position could land you one of those spacious seats at no added cost.
As of this week, the Dallas-based carrier has finished installing extra-space rows on all of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets — the same aircraft it uses on flights to and from the Aloha State. It’s a milestone in Southwest’s push to get all of its planes reconfigured with extra-legroom accommodations before late January 2026, when it officially launches assigned seating and starts charging extra for those roomier rows.
So, think of this as the “soft launch,” of sorts, during the final few months of first-come, first-served seating.
Nearly half of Southwest planes now have extra legroom
It's not just Southwest's Hawaii flights that have its new extra-legroom seats, either. As of Sept. 8, the carrier had retrofitted 380 of its planes with the new seating setup — about 47% of its fleet.
As part of the cabin revamp, crews also installed in-seat power outlets and larger overhead bins on all of Southwest’s MAX 8 planes that fly its longer routes.
Related: Southwest's 'variable' redemptions take effect
Southwest’s MAX 8 (and Boeing 737-800) planes that have been retrofitted now feature five extra-legroom rows at the front of the aircraft and three additional rows of elevated seating near the mid-cabin emergency exit.
We should note that these are just regular coach seats with more legroom. So for now, as you board a plane that has these spacious rows, you may have to look closely to see what type of seat you’re choosing.
Southwest recently began installing special headrests indicators to make its extra-legroom seats stand out. (For now, you'll only notice those on about a quarter of the planes that have the new seating setup.
Here’s what the MAX 8 and 737-800 seat map will look like once the aircraft is outfitted with the new configuration.
Retrofits for every plane
Southwest began refitting its planes this spring after announcing its shift to assigned and extra-legroom seating in 2024.
The carrier has already started selling flights with assigned seating, which officially begins Jan. 27, 2026. At that point, customers who purchase the airline’s newly named Choice Extra fare will have access to extra legroom.
Top-tier Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members will be able to select one of those seats for free within 48 hours of a flight’s departure. Travelers who carry the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) will be able to do the same.
Read more: Southwest unveils big credit card refresh: 50% fee hikes, but new seating and boarding perks
Best ways to get a Southwest extra-legroom seat in 2025
Between now and January — while Southwest still has open seating in place — your best bet for scoring one of the extra-legroom seats is to secure an early boarding position.
The airline sells Upgraded Boarding as an optional add-on within 24 hours of departure. This guarantees an A1-15 boarding position — and far better odds that an extra-legroom seat will be available when you get on the plane.
Read more: What to know about Southwest Airlines' 8 boarding groups starting in January
Up next
Southwest still has to finish retrofitting its Boeing 737-800 fleet with the new configuration. The airline now expects to start updating its 737-700s in December, a spokesperson told TPG.
Related reading:
- Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards
- The best Southwest Airlines credit cards
- How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
- What is Southwest Airlines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.