Southwest Airlines has introduced new seat and fare options as it prepares to shift from open seating to assigned seating in 2026. These updates mark a significant change for the airline, which for decades was known for letting passengers choose any seat after boarding.
The airline announced that it will begin offering fare bundles that combine seat selection, checked bags, and boarding benefits. These new options will be available for booking in the third quarter of 2025 for flights departing in 2026.
According to Tony Roach, Southwest’s Executive Vice President of Customer and Brand, the goal is to give travelers more control over their experience. “With new choices like seat selection and Extra Legroom, our enhanced fare bundles let customers customize their trip while still enjoying our industry-leading reliability and hospitality,” he said in a statement.
To promote the changes, Southwest launched a limited-time offer with up to 30% off all base fares.
The new seating choices will include three main options. The first offers extra legroom—up to five inches more than standard seats—and preferred boarding, giving passengers early access to overhead bin space. These seats will be located at the front of the plane and near the exit rows in the middle.
The second type of seat is located toward the front of the plane but does not come with additional legroom.
The third option is at the rear of the aircraft and also lacks extra legroom. This section will be more basic and likely less expensive.
While prices for these seating options have not yet been released, Southwest did note that cardmembers will get to choose their seats and receive a boarding benefit. They will also continue to receive one checked bag for free, even though the general “bags fly free” policy is set to end on May 28.
Southwest’s new fare bundles include four categories: Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, Choice, and Basic.
Choice Extra includes extra legroom seating, free checked bags, and pre-boarding.
Choice Preferred allows booking in the preferred section and early general boarding.
Choice offers a standard seat.
Basic is the most limited option and includes seat assignment at check-in only.
These changes aim to modernize Southwest’s offerings while still keeping some of its most popular customer benefits.
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