For loyal Southwest Airways flyers, it is the primary day of the remainder of their lives.
Tuesday kicks off a brand new period for the Dallas-based service: It is the day the airline formally bids farewell to its well-known first-come, first-served seating coverage and one-of–a-kind boarding course of.
From today ahead, Southwest can have assigned seats on each flight — no extra boarding after which searching round for the perfect open seat.
And passengers will not line up alongside numbered posts on the gate to board. As a substitute, they will be referred to as up in teams, simply as with almost each different U.S. airline.
We have been speaking about these adjustments for 18 months now, which come as half of a bigger transformation at Southwest — one which final yr noticed the tip of its long-standing “baggage fly free” coverage and a refresh of its Speedy Rewards bank card lineup.
Oh, and did we point out extra-legroom seats? After final yr’s “delicate launch,” these extra-spacious rows will now be obtainable on each Southwest flight.
All advised, it is a main shift for the airline — welcomed by some clients, bemoaned by others.
My take: I simply tried Southwest’s new extra-legroom seats. Are they value it?
This is what to know in regards to the adjustments going reside this week on Southwest planes, and what flying with the airline will probably be like sooner or later.
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From open seating to assigned seats
First issues first: Southwest on Tuesday went reside with its long-planned change from open seating to assigned seats.
It is a seismic shift for the airline, which for half a century let passengers select their seats after boarding its planes.
However in 2024, Southwest executives introduced the airline would ditch its longtime coverage, one which was virtually synonymous with the airline — however one which it claimed a majority of shoppers have been able to see finish.
So, going ahead, if you e-book a flight on Southwest, you can choose your seat, too — though some vacationers might run into new add-on charges, relying on the fare they e-book.
Southwest seat choice by fare
This is how seat choice insurance policies will work for every of the airline’s revamped fares it sells:
| Fare product | Seat choice allowed |
|---|---|
Seats assigned at check-in | |
Customary seat choice | |
Customary seat choice, together with “most well-liked” seats nearer to the entrance of the aircraft | |
Further-legroom seat choice |
As famous, passengers who choose Southwest’s least expensive Fundamental fare — “Wanna Get Away” tickets ended final yr — will be unable to choose their seat without cost.
That is a coverage largely in step with different airways’ primary financial system fares.
How do you keep away from seat charges on Southwest?
Nonetheless, there are methods to keep away from seat charges, even if you happen to’re flying Fundamental.
Speedy Rewards standing
Clients who’ve Speedy Rewards elite standing will probably be entitled to complimentary seat choice, irrespective of the fare product. They usually’ll get entry to extra-legroom seat “upgrades,” too.
- A-Checklist members can transfer to extra-legroom seats inside 48 hours of departure, pending availability.
- A-Checklist Most popular flyers can choose extra-legroom seats at reserving, if obtainable.
Southwest bank card
In the meantime, Speedy Rewards members with a cobranded bank card additionally get seating perks, as follows:
Remember, each A-Checklist standing members and bank card holders additionally get free baggage on all bookings — a perk the airline launched final summer season after introducing checked bag charges for the primary time.
*The data for the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Learn extra: Finest Southwest Airways bank cards
Southwest boarding course of shake-up
Additionally launching Tuesday: Southwest’s new boarding teams.
Final yr, the service introduced the tip of assigned seats would additionally convey the tip of its distinctive course of the place clients line up, single-file, on the gate.
Any further, Southwest will use eight boarding teams in a course of that will probably be similar to how different carriers deal with boarding.
This is a full rundown of who boards in every group, however I’ve listed just a few highlights under:
- A-Checklist Most popular members and clients seated in extra-legroom seats will board no later than Group 2.
- A-Checklist members and different bank card holders will board no later than Group 5.
- Passengers flying on a Fundamental fare will board final.
The most effective information of all
Whether or not you really liked or hated Southwest’s earlier boarding setup, this modification brings one bit of reports almost each buyer will probably be pleased about.
Frequent Southwest flyers’ ritual of setting an alarm at 24 hours on the dot to verify in for a flight (with the intention to rating a great place within the boarding order) will now be a factor of the previous.
Different Southwest adjustments to learn about
These aren’t the one adjustments Southwest has remodeled the previous yr.
On prime of the aforementioned bag charges, which went reside in Could 2025:
Worldwide partnerships
The airline has launched a handful of partnerships with worldwide carriers, and hopes to start Speedy Rewards associate award redemptions on worldwide flights later this yr. That would make Southwest factors a extra priceless forex to earn.
Remember, you’ll be able to switch each Chase Final Rewards factors and Bilt Rewards Factors to the airline.
Speedy Rewards goes (much more) dynamic
On the flipside, Southwest leaned extra closely into true dynamic award pricing final yr, introducing “variable” redemptions with combined outcomes for members.
That was after the service slashed factors accruals on its least expensive tickets; if you happen to e-book its Fundamental fare, you will solely earn 2 factors per greenback spent as an alternative of 6.
Free Wi-Fi for all members
In an enormous win for flyers, the airline in October joined an enormous airline business pattern and made Wi-Fi free for all loyalty members.
What might be subsequent?
And assigned seats might not be the tip.
The service has been none too cryptic about extra huge adjustments that might be on the horizon.
We have seen indicators that Southwest is mulling airport lounges, together with in Hawaii.
And CEO Bob Jordan has overtly contemplated true first-class seats and long-haul worldwide flights — each strikes that after would have been unthinkable for the airline.
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