Southwest Airlines Is Ending Open Seating. Here’s What This Historic Change Means for You

Whether you typically pay cash for airline tickets or pull out your favorite credit card, buying a seat on a Southwest Airlines flight is about to feel a little different. 

According to the airline, Southwest is moving away from its traditional open seating concept to the same assigned seating on other airlines. Here’s what you can expect based on what we know so far. 

How you board will change (a little) 

Depending on how much you enjoy checking into your Southwest flight precisely at the 24-hour mark, you may be happy to hear that assigned seating will eliminate the need to be one of the first to check in. 

No more feeling as though you’re crouched at the starting block, waiting for an important race to begin. The race, of course, is all about checking in early enough to ensure a decent boarding number. After all, the earlier you board the plane, the more seating and overhead bin options are available. 

While there’s no final plan for how boarding will take place, Southwest executives say the airline hopes to retain the “calm and order” the current boarding process is known for. 

Here’s the good news if you’re flying with a group: You’re far more likely to snag seats together if those seats are assigned before boarding. 

Most airlines offer premium seating, a luxury that comes at an extra cost. To date, Southwest has missed out on that opportunity, which may be one reason the airline has experienced a drop in revenue. 

The airline is rolling out a new layout to offer premium seating. Rather than the one-size-fits-all egalitarian seating we’ve all grown accustomed to, about one-third of the seats are expected to offer extra legroom.

You still won’t see a first-class (or business class) cabin with large, lay-flat reclining seats, and you shouldn’t expect to be served a premium meal, but you can pay for a little more room to stretch your legs. 

If getting extra legroom is important to you, you may want to compare credit cards to find one that offers free flight upgrades. 

It appears that Southwest is figuring this all out in real time, so the best we can do is try to read between the lines. Currently, the largest U.S. airlines offer some type of complimentary access to extra legroom as a reward for holding elite status.

Since Southwest currently gives its A-List and A-List Preferred flyers the benefit of early boarding, it’s natural to assume it’ll sweeten the pot by adding a premium seating benefit. 

Red-eye flights

Unless you’re a regular Southwest flyer, you may not be aware that the airline has never before offered red-eye flights. That’s about to change in 2025, too. Now, going to your kid’s dance recital at 7 p.m. before heading to the airport for an 11 p.m. flight will be within the realm of possibility. 

What about bags?

One of the sweetest perks with flying Southwest is the airline’s policy of allowing travelers to check two bags for free. As of now, there are no plans to change the practice.

Change is inevitable in business, as in life. We’ll have to wait and see whether Southwest Airlines flyers ultimately embrace the changes being made to their routine.

Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.