Travelers flying Southwest Airlines are stepping into a new era starting January 27, when the carrier officially drops its open seating tradition in favor of assigned seats.
For decades, Southwest stood apart by letting passengers choose any open seat once onboard. That changes this week, and flyers are already feeling the shift. The airline first revealed the move in July 2024, pointing to both revenue goals and changing customer preferences. Southwest leadership has framed the update as a response to how people want to fly now.
“Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience,” executive Tony Roach said in 2025. “Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our Customers — including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats — and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin.”
Under the new setup, travelers choose between Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom seats, with boarding order and perks tied to seat type. The airline also began assigning seats in advance for flights scheduled after January 27 as early as last summer.
Online reactions have been mixed. Some passengers cheered the end of open seating chaos. Others see the change as a loss of flexibility, especially for families and last-minute rebookings.
Southwest has acknowledged the pushback while standing firm.
“We’re evolving to meet changing Customer preferences, & our research clearly indicates a desire for assigned seating,” a company representative replied on X. “Still, we know assigned seating is not preferable for every Customer. We hope you’ll give us an opportunity to welcome you onboard.”
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