Starting Jan. 27, Southwest Airlines passengers will get assigned seats for the first time, marking a major shift in the carrier’s business model.

Southwest Airlines allows passengers to book assigned seats, new fare classes for travel starting on January 27, 2026.

Just two months after ending its long-standing “Bags Fly Free” policy, the airline has announced when it will roll out assigned seating — a significant shift from its traditional boarding process. For ...

Southwest Airlines has officially provided an end date for its well-known open seating policy: Starting July 29, 2025, ...

For the first time in 53 years, Southwest Airlines is officially selling assigned seats to passengers with a variety of new seat preferences for flights, starting in January 2026.

Southwest is ending open seating after more than fifty years, and assigned seats are finally part of the deal. Travele ...

Flights with assigned seating start in January 2026, and travelers have several seat preferences to choose from. The post Southwest starts booking assigned seats: What flyers should expect appeared ...

Southwest Airlines has officially begun selling assigned seats, though the open seating policy will remain in place on flights for a few more months.

Starting January 27, 2026, Southwest passengers will be assigned seats, ending the chaotic scramble of its current open seating plan. The ability to choose your seat opens July 29, 2025, for flights ...

Southwest Airlines has officially begun selling assigned seats. As of July 29, the airline is letting people who buy certain tickets select their seats in advance for flights beginning Jan. 27 ...

Assigned seating is coming to Southwest Airlines in 2026. Here's when, how it will work and how much it will cost to choose a ...