Southwest Airlines Assessment: Facilities, Luggage Charges, Seating Arrangements, Client Support, and Further Details
Southwest Airlines, the world's largest low-cost airline, is set to transition from its traditional open seating process to a new assigned seating system with eight boarding groups, starting January 27, 2026. This marks a significant change from the airline's long-standing free-for-all boarding approach.
Key differences in Southwest's new boarding process compared to other airlines are:
- Assigned seating replaces open seating: Passengers will now select or be assigned a specific seat at booking rather than choosing any open seat on the plane after boarding.
- Boarding groups (1-8) based on fare, status, and seat type: Earlier boarding is prioritized for passengers with higher fare classes (Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra), elite status (A-List, A-List Preferred), and Southwest credit card holders, similar to legacy carriers.
- Extra Legroom seats board first: Passengers with Extra Legroom seats are assigned boarding Groups 1 and 2, giving them priority akin to first-class boarding on other airlines.
- Option to purchase Priority Boarding: Passengers can buy early boarding starting 24 hours before departure, another common feature on other airlines with assigned seating.
- Maintains some priority preboarding for customers with disabilities: Similar to other carriers, Southwest preserves preboarding privileges for specific disabled passengers.
Previously, Southwest’s boarding was famously a single-file line determined by a boarding position (A, B, or C and number), awarded by check-in time. This open seating approach allowed for a fluid, first-come-first-served seat selection, differing sharply from the assigned seating and group boarding that other major airlines use.
The new approach will closely resemble the boarding methods used by legacy airlines like American, United, and Delta, but with a distinctive eight-group system and fare-based group priority tiers replacing the old open seating and single-file line boarding.
Southwest Airlines continues to offer a range of fares, including the Basic, Wanna Get Away plus, Anytime, and Business Select, each with varying inclusions. The Companion Pass, which allows a customer to choose one person to fly with them for free (taxes and fees apply), can be earned by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or by earning 135,000 qualifying points.
Baggage fees remain relatively affordable, with most travelers paying $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second. A-List members, A-List Preferred members, Business Select fares, Rapid Rewards credit cardholders, and active duty military continue to get free checked bags when flying Southwest.
In summary, Southwest Airlines' new boarding process will provide a more structured and efficient experience, while still maintaining the airline's commitment to offering low fares and a customer-friendly atmosphere.
[1] Southwest Airlines Press Release [2] USA Today Article [3] CNBC Article [4] Bloomberg Article [5] Southwest Airlines Accessibility Policy
- The world's largest low-cost airline, Southwest Airlines, is implementing a new assigned seating system, replacing its open seating approach, starting January 27, 2026.
- This transition will see Southwest adopt boarding groups (1-8), prioritizing earlier boarding for passengers with higher fare classes, elite status, and Southwest credit card holders, much like legacy carriers.
- Passengers with Extra Legroom seats will board first, akin to first-class boarding on other airlines, while the option to purchase Priority Boarding is also available, another common feature on assigned seating airlines.
- The new strategy will closely resemble the boarding methods used by major airlines like American, United, and Delta, but with a distinctive eight-group system and fare-based group priority tiers.
- Southwest Airlines continues to offer a range of fares, including the Basic, Wanna Get Away plus, Anytime, and Business Select, with the Companion Pass allowing one free flight for a chosen companion under certain conditions.
- Baggage fees remain relatively affordable, with most travelers paying $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second, although certain groups like A-List members, credit cardholders, and active duty military continue to get free checked bags.
- The transition to assigned seating will provide a more structured and efficient experience, while maintaining Southwest's commitment to low fares and a customer-friendly atmosphere, but it is now necessary to review the airline's accessibility policy to ensure it continues to meet the needs of all passengers.
[1] Source: Southwest Airlines Press Release [2] Source: USA Today Article [3] Source: CNBC Article [4] Source: Bloomberg Article [5] Source: Southwest Airlines Accessibility Policy
