After more than half a century of allowing passengers to choose their seat upon boarding, Southwest Airlines will change Southwest Airlines has completely reversed its policy: starting in January 2026, the airline will officially begin offering assigned seating.

The decision represents a historic shift for Southwest, which for 53 years was known for its single-boarding system and allowing two checked bags free of charge. Now, the Dallas-based airline is committed to offering greater flexibility and convenience to travelers, while seeking to strengthen its competitiveness in the market and improve its profitability.

Starting in 2026, passengers will be able to choose their seat during booking based on the fare package they select. New classes include:

New Boarding System

In addition to these options, customers will be able to purchase seat upgrades and pay for priority boarding, starting 24 hours before departure.

A-List or A-List Preferred members, as well as Rapid Rewards cardholders, will be able to select a seat at the time of booking, regardless of the fare purchased, even in Basic Class.

Southwest will also implement a new group boarding system, effective January 27, 2026. This process will be designed to better accommodate seat recipients by prioritizing passengers with more expensive seats or special benefits. The first boarding groups (1 and 2) will include those with seats with more legroom.

This move aligns Southwest with other traditional airlines that already offer assigned seating, without neglecting its competitive advantages such as free baggage and loyalty programs.