US EditionSouthwest Airlines sets a date for seat assignment launch, lays out new boarding order
DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS, JUL 21 – Southwest Airlines will introduce assigned seating and eight boarding groups to boost revenue, expecting $1.7 billion in earnings in 2026 from new fees and fare options.
- Monday, Southwest Airlines announced the start of seat assignment sales, with tickets available after July 29, supported by a press release from Dallas-based Southwest Airlines.
- Amid competition from more profitable rivals, Southwest is revamping its model, with initiatives expected to add $800 million to EBIT this year and $1.7 billion in 2026.
- In the new system, the first two groups include top-tier frequent flyers and premium ticket holders, Groups three through eight will be for “Choice” and “Basic” ticketholders based on seat location, Southwest said.
- In a bid to reward loyalty, Southwest prioritizes top-tier flyers, with the most loyal and biggest spenders boarding first based on seat location.
- Future bookings will include assigned seats in various fare tiers with no disclosed pricing, offering standard, preferred, and extra-legroom options.
42 Articles
42 Articles
Here's when Southwest Airlines will officially end its open seating policy
Say goodbye to the seat scramble. Starting Jan. 27, Southwest Airlines will retire its decades-old open seating policy and begin assigning seats in advance. The familiar A, B and C boarding groups will be replaced, along with the rush to check in exactly 24 hours before takeoff. “Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience,” said Tony Roach, executive vice president of customer and brand at Southwest Airlines.…
Southwest Airlines sets date for ending open seating
(NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Southwest Airlines has set a date for the end of its open seating policy. The company told CNBC Monday morning the change will start on January 27, 2026. Customers can start buying tickets with assigned seats next Tuesday. The move ends more than half a century of open seating for the airline. Southwest is also ending its two free checked bags perk. The post Southwest Airlines sets date for ending open seating appeared first o…
Southwest Airlines’ open seating is ending: Here’s what the new 8-group boarding process will look like
Around this time last year, Southwest Airlines announced that it would scrap its signature open-seating model in favor of a more traditional assigned seating system, chipping away at its identity as a “quirky” airline in order to better compete with rivals like Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. A year later, Southwest is finally gearing up to sell its first assigned-seat tickets. Over the past few months, Southwest has been slowly shedding …
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