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.

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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