Southwest Airlines ends open seating from today: Here’s what changes for passengers
January 27, 2026
Southwest Airlines is officially turning the page on one of the most recognisable parts of its brand: open seating.
Starting today (January 27, 2026), Southwest flights are moving to assigned seats, ending the “pick any available seat when you board” system that has defined the airline for more than five decades.
For travellers, the shift changes more than just where you sit; it also reshapes the boarding process, adds new paid seat options, and affects how families, frequent flyers and last-minute flyers will experience Southwest flights from this point onward.
Here’s what to know before you head to the airport.
What’s changing today with Southwest seating?
Southwest’s traditional system worked like this:
- You checked in (or paid for EarlyBird Check-In)
- You were assigned a boarding position (A1–A60, then B and C)
- You boarded in that order and chose any open seat
From today, that’s gone.
Now, passengers will receive an assigned seat, similar to most major airlines, with travellers able to pay extra for preferred locations such as extra-legroom seats or seats closer to the front.
Assigned seats and new boarding groups: How Southwest works now
Instead of the A/B/C lines and numbered posts, Southwest is introducing a more structured boarding sequence.
Under the new system, travellers will board in one of eight groups, based on a mix of factors including:
- Fare type
- Seat location
- Loyalty status
- Benefits tied to Southwest credit cards
This replaces the airline’s famous “cattle-call” boarding model with something closer to a conventional “zones” approach.
Southwest has said the gate area experience will also evolve, with signage and boarding processes rolling out across airports over the coming weeks.
Why Southwest is ending open seating after nearly 60 years
Open seating wasn’t just a quirky feature; it was deeply tied to Southwest’s identity.
The airline has framed the change as a response to what customers now want: assigned seats and more predictable boarding, especially as passenger expectations have shifted across the industry.
Southwest has said survey research indicates that most customers now prefer assigned seating. The change will also help Southwest unlock new revenue by selling preferred seats, something traditional carriers have been doing for years.
What travellers should expect when booking on Southwest from today
The biggest practical difference is simple:
- You’ll know your seat in advance
- You won’t need to “race” for a good seat
- You won’t be able to hold seats for friends and family boarding later
- Your seat location can affect boarding order
- Some better seats may cost more
Southwest’s updated seating model includes options like premium seating, with extra legroom on roughly a third of seats.
That’s a major shift for an airline that historically avoided monetising seat location, while leaning on simplicity as a competitive advantage.
Can families and groups still sit together on Southwest flights?
Southwest has indicated that families should still be able to sit together more easily than many travellers fear, particularly when everyone is on one booking. The new system includes provisions allowing families of up to 9 to be seated together. This may depend on how early you book your flight and the fare tier you choose.
What happens to “checking in exactly 24 hours before” a Southwest flight?
For years, one of Southwest’s biggest travel “hacks” was the 24-hour check-in sprint for those who wanted earlier boarding to get the best seats.
With assigned seating, there is less urgency to check in because your seat is no longer determined by your place in line.
Southwest’s new era comes with other major changes
Travellers who have relied on Southwest’s system for decades may need a trip or two to adjust to the new policy, since boarding and seat selection will now vary by fare tier and loyalty program status.
The shift to assigned seating isn’t happening in isolation.
Southwest has also made other policy changes aimed at increasing profitability and aligning with the broader airline industry, including adjustments that impact how travellers pay and plan trips.
The airline’s changes also come alongside a broader business reset that includes moving closer to the “unbundled” fares introduced by airlines around the world, including Ryanair, whose low-cost model was originally inspired by Southwest.
The final Southwest open-seating flight — and the “Herb Kelleher” gold-livery tribute plane
Southwest is marking the historic seating policy change with a special aircraft and a symbolic send-off. The airline arranged a commemorative last open-seating flight scheduled to depart Honolulu for Los Angeles at 22:00 on Monday and landing in California at 05:30 on Tuesday.
The flight operated on a special Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as N871HK, with “871” marking the airline’s first flight on June 8, 1971, and “HK” honouring Southwest’s late founder, Herb Kelleher.
The aircraft wears a retro-style “Desert Gold” livery, a throwback to Southwest’s branding when it launched in 1967. It is a nostalgic colour scheme for aviation fans and longtime customers.
This was Southwest’s golden “last call” for the open-seating era before assigned seating became the standard.
What should Southwest travellers do now?
If you’re flying Southwest today or booking a trip soon, here are the smart moves:
- Check your seat assignment carefully (especially if you’re travelling with others)
- Plan for a new boarding rhythm at the gate (groups instead of A/B/C)
- Compare fares if one includes better seat selection or earlier boarding
- Don’t assume check-in timing will “win” you a better seat anymore
For some travellers, assigned seating will feel like a welcome relief. For others, it will be the end of a nearly 60-year Southwest tradition that made the airline feel genuinely different.
Either way, today marks the start of a major new chapter for one of America’s biggest carriers.
Featured Image: Ashlee D. Smith | Southwest Airlines
