Southwest launches assigned seats, revamped boarding course of

For loyal Southwest Airways flyers, it is the primary day of the remainder of their lives.

Tuesday kicks off a brand new period for the Dallas-based provider: It is the day the airline formally bids farewell to its well-known first-come, first-served seating coverage and one-of–a-kind boarding course of.

From this present day ahead, Southwest can have assigned seats on each flight — no extra boarding after which looking round for the perfect open seat.

And passengers will not line up alongside numbered posts on the gate to board. As an alternative, they will be known as up in teams, simply as with practically each different U.S. airline.

We have been speaking about these modifications for a superb 18 months now, which come as half of a bigger transformation at Southwest — one which final 12 months noticed the tip of its long-standing “luggage fly free” coverage and a refresh of its Speedy Rewards bank card lineup.

Oh, and did we point out extra-legroom seats? After final 12 months’s “smooth launch,” these extra-spacious rows will now be obtainable on each Southwest flight.

All informed, it is a main shift for the airline — welcomed by some clients, bemoaned by others.

My take: I simply tried Southwest’s new extra-legroom seats. Are they value it?

Here is what to know in regards to the modifications going stay this week on Southwest planes, and what flying with the airline will likely be like sooner or later.

From open seating to assigned seats

First issues first: Southwest on Tuesday went stay with its long-planned swap from open seating to assigned seats.

It is a seismic shift for the airline, which for half a century let passengers select their seats after boarding its planes.

However in 2024, Southwest executives introduced the airline would ditch its longtime coverage, one which was virtually synonymous with the airline — however one which it claimed a majority of consumers had been able to see finish.

So, going ahead, while you guide a flight on Southwest, you’ll choose your seat, too — though some vacationers could run into new add-on charges, relying on the fare they guide.

Southwest seat choice by fare

Here is how seat choice insurance policies will work for every of the airline’s revamped fares it sells:

As famous, passengers who choose Southwest’s least expensive Primary fare — “Wanna Get Away” tickets ended final 12 months — won’t be able to choose their seat free of charge.

That is a coverage largely in keeping with different airways’ fundamental financial system fares.

How do you keep away from seat charges on Southwest?

Nevertheless, there are methods to keep away from seat charges, even should you’re flying Primary.

Speedy Rewards standing

Clients who’ve Speedy Rewards elite standing will likely be entitled to complimentary seat choice, regardless of the fare product. And so they’ll get entry to extra-legroom seat “upgrades,” too.

• A-Checklist members can transfer to extra-legroom seats inside 48 hours of departure, pending availability.
• A-Checklist Most popular flyers can choose extra-legroom seats at reserving, if obtainable.

Southwest bank card

In the meantime, Speedy Rewards members with a cobranded bank card additionally get seating perks, as follows:

Have in mind, each A-Checklist standing members and bank card holders additionally get free baggage on all bookings — a perk the airline launched final summer time after introducing checked bag charges for the primary time.

*The data for the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Learn extra: Greatest Southwest Airways bank cards

Southwest boarding course of shake-up

Additionally launching Tuesday: Southwest’s new boarding teams.

Final 12 months, the provider introduced the tip of open seating would additionally convey the tip of its distinctive course of the place clients line up, single-file, on the gate.

Any more, Southwest will use eight boarding teams in a course of that will likely be similar to how different carriers deal with boarding.

Here is a full rundown of who boards in every group, however I’ve listed just a few highlights beneath:

• A-Checklist Most popular members and clients seated in extra-legroom seats will board no later than Group 2.
• A-Checklist members and different bank card holders will board no later than Group 5.
• Passengers flying on a Primary fare will board final.

The very best information of all

Whether or not you liked or hated Southwest’s earlier boarding setup, this transformation brings one bit of stories practically each buyer will likely be completely happy about.

Frequent Southwest flyers’ ritual of setting an alarm at 24 hours on the dot to examine in for a flight (with the intention to rating a great place within the boarding order) will now be a factor of the previous.

Different Southwest modifications to find out about

These aren’t the one modifications Southwest has remodeled the previous 12 months.

On high of the aforementioned bag charges, which went stay in Could 2025:

Worldwide partnerships

The airline has launched a handful of partnerships with worldwide carriers, and hopes to start Speedy Rewards accomplice award redemptions on worldwide flights later this 12 months. That would make Southwest factors a extra priceless foreign money to earn.

Have in mind, you possibly can switch each Chase Final Rewards factors and Bilt Rewards Factors to the airline.

Speedy Rewards goes (much more) dynamic

On the flipside, Southwest leaned extra closely into true dynamic award pricing final 12 months, introducing “variable” redemptions with combined outcomes for members.

That was after the provider slashed factors accruals on its least expensive tickets; should you guide its Primary fare, you will solely earn 2 factors per greenback spent as an alternative of 6.

Free Wi-Fi for all members

In an enormous win for flyers, the airline in October joined an enormous airline business development and made Wi-Fi free for all loyalty members.

What may very well be subsequent?

And assigned seats will not be the tip.

The provider has been none too cryptic about extra large modifications that may very well be on the horizon.

We have seen indicators that Southwest is mulling airport lounges, together with in Hawaii.

And CEO Bob Jordan has brazenly contemplated true first-class seats and long-haul worldwide flights — each strikes that when would have been unthinkable for the airline.

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