Just in: Southwest Airlines announces when it will start assigning seats

Southwest Airlines has officially set the date for its big changeover to assigned seats and has laid out exactly how its all-new boarding process will work.

The airline's long-standing open seating policy will officially end Jan. 27, 2026, the Dallas-based carrier announced Monday. Passengers booked on all flights from that day forward will receive specific seat assignments.

Customers booking 2026 flights will start to notice the changes even earlier: Starting next week, on July 29, passengers booking a flight for Jan. 27 of next year (or beyond) will have the option to choose their seat.

This will include the option for the carrier's first-ever extra legroom seats, which will officially debut as a new "premium" seating option in January, as well.

"Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our customers—including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats—and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin. This is an important step in our evolution," Southwest executive vice president of customer and brand Tony Roach said in a statement Monday.

Here's what you need to know about Southwest's latest changes and what they will mean for booking trips on the airline over the coming weeks and months.

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When will Southwest start assigning seats?

Assigned seating on Southwest Airlines will officially launch on flights departing on and after Jan. 27, 2026. Extra legroom seats will technically make their debut that same day, too (though some Southwest planes have already, quietly, been outfitted with the new extra-space rows).

Southwest will begin offering seat selection July 29 — though keep in mind, customers who pick the airline's new basic economy fare won't be eligible for complimentary seat selection.

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Who can select a seat for free on Southwest?

As part of Southwest's big shift away from its half-century open seating policy, the carrier is revamping its fare choices with new names — and new seating benefits.

As a reminder:

• Wanna Get Away already became "Basic" and does not include complimentary seat selection, similar to other airlines' basic economy options.
• Wanna Get Away will become "Choice," and will include standard seat selection
• Anytime will become "Choice Preferred," and passengers will have the choice to select a normal seat closer to the front of the aircraft.
• Business Select will become "Choice Extra" and offer the option to select a free extra legroom seat.

Special perks for A-List, credit card holders

Travelers with Rapid Rewards elite status and certain Southwest credit cards will get more favorable seat selection perks.

Pending availability:

• A-List members will be allowed to select a preferred seat at booking and an extra legroom seat within 48 hours of departure.
• A-List Preferred members will be allowed to select any seat, including extra legroom, at booking.
• All Southwest credit card holders will be allowed to select a seat within 48 hours of departure, even if they're flying on a basic economy fare.
• Customers with certain credit cards will be allowed to upgrade to an extra legroom seat within 48 hours of departure, when available. All cardholders will be allowed to select a seat, of some kind, within 48 hours of departure.

New boarding process detailed

As part of Monday's announcement, the airline also unveiled the details of its reimagined boarding process. As TPG reported this spring, gone will be the days of lining up, single-file, to get on the plane.

The new eight-group process will look a lot more like the boarding setup other carriers use.

Groups 1 and 2 will be reserved for A-List Preferred members and for passengers who book a high-priced Choice Extra fare or upgrade to an extra legroom seat.

Choice Preferred travelers, A-List members who don't score an extra-space seat, and Southwest credit card holders will board no later than Group 5.

Groups 6 through 8 will include passengers flying on Choice or Basic fare, with basic economy passengers last to board.

Bottom line

Southwest first announced its shift to assigned and extra legroom seats nearly a year ago, in July 2024. It argued that a majority of customers preferred a seat assignment to the carrier's 50-year open seating policy.

Combined with the airline's implementation of checked bag fees in late May, it's a time of major change at the airline.

Southwest executives have said these changes will drive more revenue and cater to customers' evolving preferences.

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