After 53 years of open seating, Southwest implements assigned seating

After over 50 years of having a unique open seating policy, Southwest Airlines started using assigned seating on Tuesday.

The introduction of assigned seating comes with other changes, such as the addition of premium seating options and a new boarding process. The airline said these changes came as a response to “customer demand for more options.”

Southwest’s last flight with unassigned seating was a red-eye flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles on Monday.

The airline’s first two flights with assigned seating were WN3575 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Orlando, Florida, and WN4974 from Manchester, New Hampshire, to Chicago’s Midway airport.

Southwest has been one of the country’s top low-cost airlines for years and has used an unassigned seating model for its whole 53-year history. The shift to assigned seating was first announced in July 2024.

The Dallas, Texas-based carrier made these changes to stay competitive with other airlines such as American, Delta and United Airlines, which all offer premium seating options.

When the change was first announced, Tony Roach, executive vice president of customer and brand at Southwest, said in a statement that the introduction of assigned seating for customers “removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin,” per ABC News.

Customers who purchase the Basic fare will have a seat assignment provided at check-in, according to Southwest.

Roach was on the flight from San Juan and told The New York Times that the airline had “outgrown” its open seating model. He added that assigned seating reduces anxiety among passengers.

“There were a lot of limitations with open seating in terms of what we want to do in the future,” he said. “You aren’t able to offer things inside the cabin which a lot of people want. Things like extra legroom would have been very difficult to do with an open seating environment.”

A look at the new boarding process

Southwest’s old boarding system included passengers receiving a group and a number at check-in that determined a general order of when they’d get on the plane. Once on board the aircraft, they could choose any open seat. Checking in early often determined if passengers could sit together or get a desired seat.

According to The New York Times, some travelers loved it and saw it as egalitarian and flexible, but others said it was chaotic and stressful.

Now the airline will have two alternating boarding lanes with screens that show which group is boarding, similar to other airlines. There will also be a separate preboarding and priority boarding area.

Customers will be divided into boarding groups based on seat location. Travelers with elite status will board earlier and passengers also have the option to pay extra to board in an earlier group.

The airline has gone from a unique boarding and seating model to one that looks like almost every other carrier.

A look at Southwest’s new seating options

Southwest now offers three categories of seats: standard, preferred and extra legroom. The most expensive option can cost hundreds of dollars more than the standard fare. Fare class will now determine boarding order.

Here’s a look at each of the seating options:

• Extra legroom: These seats have up to an additional 5 inches of legroom. These seats are located at the front of the cabin and have earlier access to bin space. These passengers also get enhanced snacks and premium beverages.
• Preferred: Standard legroom seats near the front of the cabin.
• Standard: Standard legroom seats located in the back of the cabin.

The airline has also changed its flexible policy for plus-size passengers.

How people are reacting to Southwest’s changes

Many people have taken to social media to share their thoughts on Southwest’s recent changes, and most of them are not positive. Here’s a look at some reactions to Southwest’s new assigned seating model.