Southwest began its move from open seating to assigned seats on January 27, 2026. Assigned seating is now in effect on all Southwest flights, but which seats you can choose—and when—depends on your fare, eligibility, availability, and time before departure.
When did Southwest start assigned seating?
Southwest announced in July 2025 that its new seating and boarding process would begin on January 27, 2026. The airline’s current Assigned Seating page confirms the transition, stating, “We’ve transitioned from open to assigned seating on January 27, 2026.”
Southwest says all its flights now have assigned seats. The change replaces the airline’s former open-seating approach, under which passengers selected available seats after boarding.
What seat can you choose?
Seat selection is not the same for every traveler. Your fare and eligibility, the seat type, and availability affect your options. Southwest says qualifying Priority and Performance cardmembers can select a Preferred or Standard seat at booking when available. They can also select an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours of departure when available, at no additional cost. These benefits are limited to qualifying cardmembers; they are not a general entitlement for every passenger. See Southwest’s current assigned-seating details for terms.
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Can you change your seat after booking?
Eligible travelers can change an assigned seat on Southwest’s website or in its app, subject to departure cutoffs. Southwest’s Change Assigned Seat guidance gives these deadlines:
- Domestic flights: up to 60 minutes before scheduled departure.
- International flights: up to 90 minutes before scheduled departure.
Check your reservation in the app or on the website to see the seats available to you. A seat change is subject to eligibility and availability.
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How does boarding work with assigned seats?
Assigned seating does not mean everyone boards at the same time or receives the same boarding benefit. Southwest continues to use boarding groups. Its Boarding Process guidance says group travel reservations receive a boarding group based on seat assignment. Qualifying primary cardmembers have a Group 5 benefit, or may board earlier if eligible for another benefit. A boarding group benefit and the ability to select a particular seat are separate matters.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why did Southwest make the change?
Southwest’s 2024 One Report says that 80 percent of Southwest customers and 86 percent of passengers who choose other airlines wanted assigned seats. Those are figures reported by Southwest, not an independent or universal measure of passenger preference. The airline announced the planned launch in July 2025; the preference figures appear in its 2024 One Report.
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What to check before you fly
- Open your reservation to confirm your assigned seat and boarding group.
- Review the fare and any applicable cardmember eligibility before assuming a seat benefit applies.
- If you want to change seats, check availability and the deadline for your flight type.
- Consult Southwest’s current seating and boarding pages for the terms that apply to your trip.
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