Southwest Airlines will make its shift to assigned seating starting January 27, 2026.
The low-cost carrier will begin putting tickets with seat assignments on sale as soon as July 29, 2025, CNBC reported on Monday.
With the rollout of assigned seating early next year, Southwest will also implement a new group-based boarding process, replacing the traditional A, B and C model with eight different groups.
Groups 1 and 2 will include passengers with new extra legroom seats and the airline’s most elite customers or those purchasing the most expensive fare, essentially.
Afterward, groups three through eight will include “choice” or “basic” passengers depending on their seat location. Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card members will board no later than Group 5, the airline confirmed to CNBC.
“Our customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience,” Tony Roach, Executive Vice President Customer & Brand, at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement.
“Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our customers—including the ability to select extra legroom seats—and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin. This is an important step in our evolution, and we’re excited to pair these enhancements with our legendary customer service.”
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