Southwest Airlines: Your Seat’s Got a Name Now (Sorry, No More Musical Chairs)

Southwest used to have you scramble to snag that perfect window seat, like happy hour at LAX. Starting January 27, 2026, it’s all calm, orderly, and seat-assigned. Yes, for the first time in 53 years, you actually get to choose where you sit when you book. Let’s unpack how Southwest went from free-for-all to fancy footwork worthy of a boarding pass résumé.

Why This Is a Big Deal

• Long-standing open seating just went into retirement.
  After more than five decades of letting you choose any open seat, Southwest is officially assigning seats starting Jan. 27, 2026.

• Seat selection kicks off July 29, 2025.
  Travelers can start picking spots (like the coveted extra-legroom or front-of-cabin) right when they book for flights Jan. 27, 2026 or later.

Fare Bundles & Seat Tiers—Your New Best Friends

Southwest rolled out a snazzy lineup of fare bundles with names you’ll actually remember:

• Basic – random seat at check-in (last to board)
• Choice – pick a standard seat when booking
• Choice Preferred – snag a front-cabin seat plus earlier boarding
• Choice Extra – score extra-legroom, priority boarding, free bags, plus best points.

Loyalty Perks: Still Some TLC (But Now with Seat Upgrades)

Rapid Rewards loyalty and credit-card perks still pack punch:

• A-List Preferred members: Free seat choices—including extra-legroom—at booking; board in Group 1–2; first two checked bags still free.
• A-List members: Picking standard/preferred seats at booking is now your jam; extra-legroom upgrade free 48 hours before; boarding in Group 5; first checked bag free.
• Credit-Cardmembers: Depending on your card, seat selection windows and boarding perks vary up to 48 hours before departure.

A Perfect Storm—Fare, Bags, Loyalty: Why All the Changes?

Southwest is undergoing a full transformation:

• Fare overhaul & bag fees: Gone are the days of two free checked bags for everyone; now only certain fare types or loyalty tiers get it. Bags run $35 and $45 for check-ins, unless you’ve got Status.
• Investor pressure + revenue strategy: These changes: assigned seating, basic-economy, baggage fees, are part of a larger push to make Southwest more like other airlines (yikes).

Flyers’ Foreshadows, How People Are Feeling

That nostalgic airline heartburn is bubbling up online. Some are mad, some just plan to adapt, while others aren’t thrilled about another feature that used to be free... well, ya know.

Bottom Line (Literally, don’t scroll until you read this)

Southwest is rewriting its rules. Starting Jan. 27, 2026, there’s structure, predictability, and new opportunities to pay for the “pls-let-me-stretch-out” seat. Loyalty still helps but so does that early booking button. If you want to keep scoring value, you’ve got to learn the new lingo: Basic, Choice, Preferred, Extra.

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Miles To Anywhere Travel BlogJacqueline Gomez

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All information is accurate as of the date of publication but may change over time.

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