Southwest Airlines reveals changes to controversial open seating policy

Two months after Southwest Airlines announced major changes to their boarding process, the airline has revealed when those changes will take effect. The company also announced several ways they planned to transform the customer experience.

“We’re now ushering in a new era at Southwest, moving swiftly and deliberately to transform the Company” Bob Jordan, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Vice Chairman of the Board, said in a statement.

Since its inception more than 50 years ago, Southwest Airlines has utilized one of the most unique boarding processes in the industry. While many claimed to shy away because of the airline’s open seating policy, plenty flocked to the Dallas-based airline because they got to choose their own seat upon entering the plane.

However, beginning in 2026 passengers will no longer have to worry about where they will sit as Southwest shifts to assigned seating. Customers will be able to start purchasing assigned seats in late 2025 for flights in early 2026.

Customers will also have the opportunity to purchase “premium seating,” which will offer an additional five inches of legroom. Currently, Southwest only offers one class of seats throughout its cabin, but in the future premium economy will occupy approximately one-third of the plane.

The new era, which Southwest Airlines has called its “glow up era,” brings with it faster wifi, new uniforms for the crew, new seats, bigger overhead bins, and of course two bags still fly for free.

The airline also plans to introduce its first red-eye flights beginning in February 2025.

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