It’s almost more than five decades of open seating or first-come, first-served boarding. But now Southwest Airlines is retiring this decades-old system. The coming year, 2026, will get a new start as travelers will experience a full transition to assigned seating.
A Major Shift for Southwest and Flyers
The opening seating policy of Southwest will allow passengers to pick any open seat on board—a speedy and simple system will be followed, which is already implemented in most of the US carriers. The open hailed as the fastest boarding process available. Yet, the consumers’ expectations within the airline industry have evolved to provide travelers with the best and most expected onboard experience.
Tony Roach, Executive Vice President of Customer & Brand at Southwest, emphasized that the move unlocks new seating options—like extra legroom—and helps eliminate uncertainty during boarding.
What’s Replacing Open Seating?
As July draws to a close, travelers can easily achieve this efficiency by selecting seats for flight bookings from January 27, 2026, onwards.
The new setup will include:
- Extra Legroom seats—more spacious, closer to exits, with added perks
- Preferred seats near the front of the cabin
- Standard seats
- Fare bundles—Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra—will determine seating flexibility and amenities, including boarding priority, refundability, and checked bag allowances.
Boarding will be reorganized into eight groups, replacing the current A/B/C and number system. Families and frequent flyers will receive preferential boarding based on fare bundles and loyalty tier.
Why the Change?
The Southwest framed this change as a response to consumer feedback, yet pushed towards streamlining operations. CEO Bob Jordan described the change as “exciting,” asserting that assigned seating will relieve staff from mediating seating disputes mid-flight and create a more orderly boarding experience. This significant change forms part of the border in the southwestern United States. In fact, an even better initiation would be accompanied by a three-year transformation plan.
Industry Context: The Last Holdout
Southwest has been the last major US carrier to abandon open seating. This unique boarding model has distinguished itself from the brands for decades. The airline’s open seating policy aligns with broader aviation industry trends, including the monitoring of ancillary services. It’s within seat selection and baggage, while providing a smoother, next-level customer experience.
Looking Ahead
The airlines see this coming in January 2026, with a rollout of seat selection timing to boarding logistics. Families, frequent flyers, and cardholders are expected to have tailored. For loyal or frequent flyers, the shift may represent a major cultural change. The coming years will see Southwest’s signature hospitality, meeting the realities of an evolving competitive market and operational efficiency.
