‍DALLAS — After more than five decades of one of aviation’s most distinctive boarding traditions, Southwest Airlines (WN) is bringing its open seating era to a close.

Beginning Tuesday, January 27, the Dallas-based carrier will transition to assigned seating, marking a fundamental shift in its customer experience as it seeks to stem passenger losses to competitors.

The change comes alongside the launch of four new fare bundles—Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra—and revised rules affecting passengers who require additional seating space.

Why Southwest Is Changing Course

Southwest acknowledged that open seating, long seen as a differentiator, has increasingly become a drawback, particularly as customers take longer flights and compare the carrier more directly with legacy rivals.

According to the airline, internal research shows that 80% of current customers and 86% of potential customers prefer assigned seating, while open seating is cited as the number one reason travelers switch to competing airlines.

What Passengers Can Expect

The move follows a cabin refresh program launched in May 2025 across WN’s all-Boeing 737 fleet, introducing extra-legroom seating and a more segmented onboard product.

• Choice Extra (top tier): Extra-legroom seats in the first five rows with up to five additional inches of pitch (aircraft dependent), two free checked bags, priority boarding, a complimentary “premium drink” on select flights over 251 miles, and free inflight Wi-Fi.
• Choice Preferred: Standard-legroom seats located closer to the front of the cabin, plus priority boarding.
• Choice: Standard seat selection, typically toward the rear of the aircraft, with a 12-month flight credit if canceled.
• Basic: Lowest-priced option, with seat assignment at check-in and flight credit valid for six months if canceled.
  

Checked bags, in-flight internet, and premium drinks are not included for Basic, Choice, or Choice Preferred fares.

Impact on Plus-sized Passengers

Southwest is also narrowing options for passengers who require additional space. Previously, travelers could request a free extra seat at the airport or pre-book one and receive a refund afterward. Under the new system, only the pre-book-and-refund pathway will remain, potentially increasing upfront costs.

A Defining Shift for the Airline

For an airline built on simplicity and uniformity, the move to assigned seating and tiered fares represents one of the most significant strategic pivots in its history. 

We saw it coming; while WN retains its point-to-point network and single-fleet model, the carrier is clearly betting that convergence with industry norms will help it compete more effectively in an increasingly product-driven U.S. market.