1 in 4 Southwest planes now have extra-legroom seats — here's how to snag one
Sure, Southwest Airlines isn't planning to "hard launch" extra-legroom seats until January 2026. But the soft launch is well underway.
About a quarter of Southwest's airplanes have now been configured with the new extra-space rows, executives shared Thursday.
That means, if you're flying with the carrier, you have roughly a one in four chance of being on a jet that has the new rows with more legroom. And, because open seating hasn't ended yet, you don't (technically) have to pay extra to score one of those seats.
Why extra-legroom seats are available early
Southwest will officially start selling extra-legroom seats on July 29, when assigned seating goes live in its booking channels. That'll apply for flights taking off about six months from now, starting Jan. 27, 2026.
To prepare, though, the Dallas-based carrier started retrofitting its fleet of around 800 Boeing 737s in early May, setting up cabins with the new, more premium rows.
Clearly, Southwest can't just keep its planes out of service until January. So, once crews finish reconfiguring a cabin, the aircraft returns to service.
As of Thursday, roughly 200 of those planes were flying with the new extra-legroom rows, chief operating officer Andrew Watterson said — even as the airline continues with its final six months of open seating.
Scoring a Southwest extra-legroom seat
How do you know if you'll be on one of those newly updated jets when you book a flight?
For now, the short answer is: You won't.
Airlines (especially Southwest, with its all-737 fleet) frequently swap aircraft slated for a particular flight, so it's hard for the airline to predict months in advance what jet it'll use on a specific flight from, say, Nashville to Orlando.
Upgraded Boarding becomes more tempting
However, Southwest has started giving passengers a heads up about the pseudo-premium seats once it confirms the plane they'll be on, closer to departure — in part hoping they'll purchase its Upgraded Boarding option, which guarantees a passenger a priority boarding position and an early crack at its (for now) first-come, first-served seats.
"We've already started to monetize those retrofitted aircraft by notifying customers who will be on a flight with extra legroom seats, and inviting them to take advantage of our existing Upgraded Boarding product," Watterson told analysts on Thursday, speaking on the company's second-quarter earnings call.
What to know about Upgraded Boarding
Upgraded Boarding on Southwest, an optional add-on customers can purchase, guarantees an A1 through A15 boarding position under the airline's unique, single-file boarding process.
Customers who aren't happy with their boarding position can purchase Upgraded Boarding within 24 hours of departure. Prices start at $30 but can range quite a bit higher on a particular flight.
I purchased it in February when I wasn't happy with the boarding position I'd secured for the airline's inaugural red-eye flight from Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), not wanting to get stuck in a middle seat for the cross-country flight.
I did this right through the mobile app. You could also use Southwest's website to purchase this add-on, or click on a link the airline sends you if you get notified that your flight will have the extra-legroom seats.
Upgraded boarding on the outs
Upgraded Boarding isn't long for Southwest, though. It'll disappear in January when the airline launches assigned seating and shifts to a more traditional eight-group boarding process.
But for now?
It could be your ticket to scoring an extra-legroom seat before those rows technically launch as the airline's first premium product in January.
Credit card perk reminder
It's also worth noting: Existing customers with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) or the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) get four Upgraded Boardings per year as a card perk.
While a card refresh (just announced Thursday) will spell the end of that perk, those boarding upgrades are still usable between now and the end of this year.
Bottom line
Your chances of scoring a Southwest extra-legroom seat in 2025 will keep growing as the year goes on, as the airline hopes to reconfigure all of its planes before its assigned seating era kicks off early next year.
Related reading:
- Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards
- The best Southwest Airlines credit cards
- How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
- Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
- 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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.