US EditionMajor airline officially ends longstanding seat policy
Southwest ends open seating to increase boarding efficiency, requiring advance purchase of extra seats for larger passengers under new Group 1-8 boarding and seat-type fares.
- On Jan 27, Southwest Airlines begins assigned seating, ending the Texas-based carrier's decades-old open-seating system.
- Southwest executives said customer preferences shifted toward assigned seats as company research showed travelers want seat certainty, while CEO Robert Jordan linked the move to boosting revenue amid investor pressure last year.
- An eight‑group boarding system replaces A/B/C, with Extra Legroom seats prioritized in Groups 1‑2, Standard and Preferred seats offered, and check‑in seat assignments for those who skip selection.
- Under the new rule, customers of size must pre-purchase extra seats, with complimentary seats only if space exists; refunds depend on fare class and must be requested within 90 days.
- Gate areas will be converted in phases starting Monday night over two months, marking a major transformation that aligns Southwest Airlines with other U.S. carriers and ends perks like the 'bags fly free' policy.
119 Articles
119 Articles
Southwest Airlines Ends Open Seating, Moves to Reservation-Based System
Southwest Airlines’ era of offering passengers open seating is officially ending, as the passenger carrier transitions its seating policy to a reservation-based system common with other airlines starting on Jan. 27. Southwest announced last summer that it would end its open seating policy to offer customers a wider range of seating options. The airline’s new booking model includes three seating options: standard seating at the back of the aircra…
KHQ Right Now
FOX 28 SpokaneSouthwest Airlines ends open seating policy at Spokane airport
SPOKANE, Wash. — Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier at Spokane International Airport, is making a significant change to its seating policy. Starting tomorrow, passengers will have assigned seats, ending the airline's long-held practice of allowing flyers to choose their own…
Fox Business
The New York LedgerSouthwest Airlines officially ends longstanding open-seating model, begins plus-size pricing change
Southwest Airlines is officially ending two signature policies that have long set the carrier apart from its competitors. Starting Tuesday, the controversial policies announced last year will raise ticket prices for plus-size passengers and also end the airline’s decades-old open-seating arrangement. Southwest first announced in July 2025 that it would end its open-seating policy, partly to boost revenue and in response to what it described as p…
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